[Video] Christian Crooner Takes Center Stage on MBC's Reality TV Show

A veteran singer who has spent much of her career in relative obscurity appeared on MBC's "I Am a Singer 2" on July 8, captivating audiences nationwide with her rousing rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing".

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So-hyang is a well-known contemporary Christian music singer who has held several overseas tours since she debuted in 1996 as a member of CCM band POS, but did not enter the mainstream public consciousness until this month.

"I think I got to show just 50 percent of my potential in 'I Am a Singer'", she said, "I have a lot more up my sleeve other than just being able to hit all the high notes, which garnered a lot of attention when I first appeared on the show".

She said nerves had played a part in hampering her performance. "It was a completely different setting [from what I'm used to]. Until the rehearsal, I thought I would do very well, but I felt extremely nervous as soon as I got on the stage. I didn't manage to sing with quite as much emotion as I had hoped".

So-hyang had declined to appear on the show for a considerable time before the producers finally twisted her arm. "It was difficult to find the time, because I was working on a new album and have been a European tour since the end of last year. I also had reservations about appearing in a mainstream entertainment program as a CCM singer", she said.

In the end, she took inspiration from other musical pathfinders.

"I thought of an interview with U2's vocalist Bono, who explained how he got into popular music despite starting out as a CCM singer in order to do something greater. I also want to do many other things apart from singing. I want to write a book, make a movie, and so on. I thought that making my name known to the public would lead to other opportunities".

Such lofty aspirations kept her going despite her battle with cancer, which forced her to leave the stage for around two years.

"I married my husband, who was a drummer for POS, at the age of 20. Shortly afterwards, I woke up one day with a terrible stomachache, and the obstetrician told me I had cancer of the uterus. I couldn't sing for some two years after that as I was undergoing treatment and needed to rest and recuperate", she recollected.

How does she want to be remembered by the public?

"I want to be a singer who awakens people's dreams and helps them realize their potential. By watching me sing, I hope people can reflect on what talents they have that they haven't yet realized".