1928: Chang Moo Kim was born in Bukcheong, South Hamgyeong Province - a long contested small mountain region that’s part of North Korea, but claimed by the South even to this day. Life in this war-torn region has always been filled with tragedy and cruelty. At 19, Chang and one of his ten brothers were cast out of their village home and left to survive on their own.
Chang’s threshold for pain was always next level. Well into his late eighties, he continued to take the one hour plus train ride, then a bus from Santa Clarita to Downtown LA. One Sunday, on his way to church, he fell stepping off the bus and completely obliterated the bones in his shoulder. He immediately got up and continued on - sitting through the service, then socializing before taking the bus and train back home. Later that night, he casually mentioned he was experiencing some pain. When Jin stopped by, he immediately noticed a severe slump to his father's posture. On the way to the hospital, Jin asked why he didn't say anything after it happened. Chang explained that if Jesus could survive all that time on the cross, he should be able to sit through church for a few hours.
“Dad Won't Die”
A ride of the lifetime
Chang's plan had been revised many times over the years. There was the time he was hit by a drunk driver going the wrong way on the 10 freeway. And the time, he miscalculated the off-ramp curve on the 60. And that horrific accident outside their own apartment complex. And it was always: "I good - I good."
Chang and his brother quickly went their separate ways and lost touch. Chang turned out to be a gifted Tenor and somehow received a scholarship to the University of Philippines. There, he shined performing for high society and government officials.
For Chang and Ae In, it was always about the music. They met sometime later at Soul University and when she immigrated to America, she found a church to sponsor Chang’s immigration as a Conductor.
For the two of them to take tAve root in the safety and beauty of Southern California was nothing short of a miracle. In addition to Chang's perilous journey, Ae In's family was forced to flee on the top of a train. Hearing the story of how, as a little girl, she heard the screams of people who couldn't hold on falling off in the night was haunting.
During their early days in the U.S., Chang and Ae In's big splurge was a trip to the opera. They didn’t have much money, so all they could only afford were seats way up in the rafters. That night, they were completely blown away by the power, volume and level of vocal talent they witnessed on stage. So much so that they returned home totally dejected. They were convinced there was no way Chang could compete as a vocalist in America - his dreams of Juilliard’s and a New York singing career were instantly destroyed.
Later, they learned the performers that night had been mic’d. At that time, neither of them had any idea something like that even existed.
