Busan boy 19, protecting his Peruvian mother, takes the stage with Lee Seung-chul just one month after debut

The life of the 'Part-time Genius' 19 after winning the audition... '19, Flying'

A Peruvian boy takes the stage at Lee Seung-chul's concert after winning an audition... The dream of 19-year-old 'Part-time Genius' 19

Broadcast: Monday, September 21, 2026 ~ Friday, September 25, 2026, 7:50 AM KBS 1TV

The song of a nineteen-year-old ‘Part-time Genius’

19 (19) won the final victory by receiving high scores in every round of a broadcast audition program. With a unique tone and striking appearance, he immediately caught the eye of judge Lee Seung-chul. 19 is a boy who nurtured his dream while participating in band activities at a local children's center during elementary school. As soon as he entered high school, he started working part-time jobs and has worked without rest until now. To pursue music that makes his heart pound, he left his hometown of Busan as soon as he graduated from high school.

Starting from scratch, he began living alone in a Goshiwon in Suwon. While cutting back on sleep, he worked desperately to afford music academy fees and living expenses, and this spring, he finally entered the applied music department he desired. Riding that momentum, he sang the dream he had long held on the audition stage. In the process, he even earned the nickname ‘Part-time Genius’ from the singer Lee Seung-chul, who was a judge.

It has been just about a month since he began walking the path of a singer, and he has already had opportunities to appear on the radio and stand on the stage for senior Lee Seung-chul's 40th-anniversary performance. What was most upsetting while working part-time was that he could not focus entirely on music. What made the young 19 so resilient?

Becoming the young protector of his Peruvian mother

19's mother is Peruvian. Twenty-two years ago, she came to Korea through an introduction from an acquaintance, got married, and gave birth to 19 and his younger brother Samuel. However, when the eldest son 19 was in the third year of middle school, his parents separated. They had to find a house to live in immediately, and the mother had to find work, but the eldest son in the third year of middle school was always by his Peruvian mother's side. The son who found a house for the three family members, signed the contract, bought and assembled furniture, and even found a job for his mother by looking at job advertisements. The young 19 grew up early in such a way. His mother is always grateful and feels sorry for her eldest son who worked so hard, but through his own strength, 19 protected his mother and younger brother and protected his dream called music.

During this time, 19 receives news that his mother is ill and rushes to Busan. Meeting his mother for the first time in a long while, she welcomes her eldest son with a smiling face. He eats his mother's Peruvian food that cannot be found anywhere else, visits the local children's center that first allowed him to start music, and holds an impromptu fan signing event. Meanwhile, for his younger brother Samuel, who has begun worrying about his career path in the third year of middle school, the older brother 19 and their mother visit an academy as guardians. There, the younger brother expresses his intention to pursue music just like his older brother.

Dreaming of Seoul, 19's flight

After spending dream-like time in Busan, what awaits 19 upon his return to Seoul is moving. The salty, frugal life of living alone that started in a Suwon Goshiwon has ended. After winning the audition, he gained an agency and a decent new dormitory.

After showing the new house he moved into to his mother via video call, 19, who was quietly listening to music, suddenly breaks down in tears. Because he had to become an adult early, he had lived without showing his emotions, but the past time of holding on desperately for his dream of being a singer despite difficult family circumstances came to mind.

He successfully completes a performance prepared with his university friends, and as a new singer, he also takes the stage at a senior's concert. Although he makes a dizzying mistake of forgetting the lyrics during a live radio broadcast, he does not lose heart and enters intensive practice.

Finally, the performance to be held by the audition winners is approaching, and Samuel also comes up from Busan to cheer for his brother's wonderful appearance on stage. 19 wants to make his mother happy with the music he loves most and is best at, and wants to write his own story into songs. After fierce effort, 19's song toward his dream, having spread his wings wide, is just beginning.

(Photo provided = KBS 1TV 'Screening Humanity')

◆ At a Glance

· Publishing Institution : KBS

· Category : Screening Humanity

· Distribution : September 18, 16:30

Source : KBS Press Release

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