Back in '83, I was at a friends house and a casual "friend" of his showed up at the door. I don't know why, still, but I sensed something different about him. I was introduced and then mostly sat back while they did whatever. My friend wasn't particularly fond of him, but tolerated him. I got to know him as a few days passed when he showed up and was unusually drawn to him. He hardly talked. Couldn't figure it. He needed a place to stay and my friend said no to him. I had a van, fully equipped inside in the driveway so I let him stay in it, with my dog (both loved the idea) and he stayed for 4 days. My friend wasn't exactly happy about it, but it was my van. After those 4 days, my friend relented and let him stay for a short while, inside. He was then 18. I eventually found out that at age 7, he was kicked out of his house because his family had no use for him. He lived wherever he could on the streets, on rooftops, ate out of fast food dumpsters, had a lot of miserable sex for money and was used to having few clothes. It was real. Mentally, he was street wise, but still strangely disciplined and polite. His whole story is one for the books. I've worked with homeless youth, so I'm used to horror stories, and believe me, there are no ends to them out there. I've met too many beyond horrible parents too. One day while we were out, he asked me to buy him a drawing pad. He liked to draw. Why not. After he got it, I was beyond stunned to see his work. Talk about talent! He drew elaborate, precise and quite intricate. Very long story short, I got to meet his parents. He hadn't seen them in about 9 years. They were 24 miles away. He lost track of where they moved, but got info from a remembered phone number of a grandparent that lived about 300+ miles upstate. They said his parents were looking for him. He got their phone number and called. They wanted to see him. He was ecstatic! Same day, I dropped him off, both of us crying on the way down. It was hard to drive. We hugged, I got his phone number, I left, both of us still in tears. 2 days later, I call him, with him telling me his parents still don't want him. I had met them. Bad news completely. I told him I'd help him however I could. I'd come to pick him up right now. Whatever I could do, i would. He started to cry on the phone. He said no one ever offered to help him before and he knew I meant what I said. He stayed with them anyway. Didn't bother him anymore. 2 weeks later, I had to take a trip to San Diego one weekend and I didn't know he hitched a ride to my place while I was gone just to give me a special letter, printed in pencil. The envelope had my first name only and he didn't know the address or phone number. I missed his visit. I was devastated. I read the letter and completely broke down right there. He expressed his feelings and thanks for being there for him and added other very emotional remarks. I still have that letter, very well protected. I never saw him again. I miss him like you cannot believe. I never found out his last name, only his nickname. My friend never knew it either. Weeks earlier, once sitting in the van on the mountainside while we were looking over the So. Cal. city skyline lights at night, he went back on the bed and quietly started crying. I asked what's up. He then said the words I'll never forget: "How come the people who brought me into the world don't want me?" I had a hard time breathing. I went back and stayed with him a while. He wanted to cuddle and I didn't refuse. I could actually feel him start to relax. He fell asleep. Eventually, I had to get up. It was past late and I had work early in the morning. As I got up, he woke up and strained, "Do we have to go back there?" I slowly stroked his hair, carefully kissed him on the forehead, said nothing, then headed for the drivers seat. I'd love to find him. It'll never happen. I hope he's alive and making it. Sad part, there are millions just like him. Parents mentally abuse, shoot, knife, harshly sexually abuse, throw away and torment their kids on a regular basis. You don't want to know all of what I've seen. All they want is to be truly loved.

let him cook chat

RIP

Wooow this young man is totally gifted so remarkable truly pray he can beat this cancer he deserves a blessing in Life

So he ended up lying about having cancer to get donation money from supporters in 2021, then eventually killed himself in 2023.

This is the best version of this song I have ever heard!

Name song

Praise God.

Too precious. Wow! Lord please raise more people/ doctors like these!

I've been hurt too much and disappointed too much to feel 💔😭 these words. Ughhh😢

his voice inspired me to watch this over and over again. but my tears keep dropping each and every time. 🙏 thank you 🙏

Beautiful rendition and how very encouraging to see young talented people singing for the Lord!

yo what the hell. He took his own life recently, very unfortunate

Rest in peace… your clip always bring tears and comfort to me from 15 years ago… hope u leaved on a peaceful manner 😢

Still brilliant...!!

Again and again i see this video, its not only the voice,but his will to change his life ,the will to be some one, the power to take one step, one damned step and all change

He should have quipped back, my eyebrows are a little less shaggy than yours. You should schedule an appointment.

0:38 Now I’ve seen everything.

i hope he smiles often now.

He committed suicide Rest I. Piece

Wow

Unfortunately, he passed away. 😢

Rest in Peace you fucking legend. This will always be my favorite talent show episode ever. RIP

🎉the kiss… love it! ❤

2/10/2023

I like Barbara

hello is there a longuer version please?

This is God singing tthrough this boy.

Just beautiful 🙏🏼

Exquisite.

What a brave person and he's got a magnificent voice ❤ Tears appeared listening to him

RIP Choi Sungbong.

Sung, you are WONDERFUL ! God loves you, young man to have given you a gift like that ! And He will take care of you always.

2023 and still is an amazing video

ΑΠΟ ΟΤΙ ΒΛΕΠΕΤΕ ΑΛΛΗ ΜΙΑ ΚΑΤΕΥΘΗΝΟΜΕΝΗ ΨΗΦΟ , Η ΜΙΣΗ ΚΟΡΕΑ ΕΤΣΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΑΛΛΑ ΤΟ ΤΑΛΕΝΤ ΣΟΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ ΤΙ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΑ

Hard to understand why he suicided this year .....RIP

It works; if you work it…

Rest in peace , people do things because they are forced to be where they are, he did bad thing but he was alone all his life , maybe nobody tried to understand him and his mental health in the past . He returned all the money too i think he’ll be fine wherever he is now! ❤

이런무대에 이런조횟수까지터졌는데 시한부구라로 후원금을받아서 그돈놀고먹는데 탕진하고 자살해버리다니

RIP

Just came across this episode. Even though I did not understand what he was singing I felt the words and gave me goosebumps .

So sad that he died . RIP🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

RIP

What Beautiful Song 🎵 he has lovely Voices too❤❤

Its 2023 and i'm still listening to you :)

I don't believe people forgive a wrong you did against them. They just let you be. I believe people should live with the pain they caused so as to avoid doing the same thing again

Back here in 2023 and still bawling my eyes out 😭👏

I am too late to see this. Why youtube algorithm, why ?😢

What a fantastic voice!

There