British tenor Potts calls it `honor` to sing for S. Koreans

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By Kim Eunjung
SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- British opera phenomenon Paul Potts, who gave a free
recital in front of thousands of South Koreans this week, said in a press
conference Tuesday it was an "honor" to sing for his fans here.
Overcoming bad health and other difficulties, Potts, a no-name former mobile
phone store worker, grabbed a win in reality show "Britain's Got Talent" in 2007,
becoming a household name in and out of the country.
Potts gave the free recital Monday evening at a giant outdoor plaza, drawing an
audience of more than 15,000. It was his second visit to Seoul following his
first trip June last year, during which he gave three recitals.
"It was a nerve-wrecking experience for me to sing in front of so many people,"
the 38-year-old opera singer told a news conference. "I've always wanted to sing
for everyday people where they are. I felt very much honored and enjoyed every
minute last night."
"Last time when I was in South Korea, so much attention made me feel like I was
in a roller coaster," he added.
Bullied and taunted by classmates at school, Potts joined the local church choir
and continued to fulfill his passion for singing as an escape from the playground
abuse.
Potts became a YouTube sensation with the clip of his first audition becoming the
most-watched videos in the American online portal's history at the time. He has
had, to date, over 74 million hits charting his performance.
Potts said he put as much "emotion as possible," into his second album
"Passione," which went on sale here last month.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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