Sumi Jo

There is an Asian opera singer. The very first in her field was known as Sumi Jo. I've known her since I was very young but I thought she was just a singer or an entertainer. But when I was taking piano lessons, my piano teacher told me that there was much more to know about Sumi Jo. I was surprised that Sumi Jo was the first Asian soprano opera singer who had a major career. When she was on television, she sang songs very well and she was also entertaining. She shocked me; I began to like her because she gave me courage, a feeling of freedom even though I'm Asian.

She had studied music her whole life and worked hard to become a good opera singer. She was born in Seoul, Korea. Her mother always dreamt she would have a daughter who would become a singer. Since her mother always listened to soprano arias and classical music, it was natural for Sumi to become used to it. She started piano lessons at the age of 4, and started voice lessons at the age of 6. Sumi Jo entered Sun Hwa Arts School and after graduating, she attended Seoul National University. In 1983 she decided to leave SNU in order to study music in Italy at the Academia di Santa Cecelia in Rome. She then changed her name to "Sumi," a better stage name because Europeans sometimes find it difficult to pronounce her real name "Soo Kyung." Her decision to go to Italy to study music helped her to be a good soprano, because before going to Italy she was thought of as a mezzo-soprano, until her Italian professor told her she was good enough to be a soprano. After this great decision, she practiced more and enjoyed it. Sumi says, "My heart was full of music, and my mother played classical music around the clock."

Music inspires people and their actions. Sumi Jo's voice and music has impacted the world in two specific ways. The first specific impact was for Asians because before her there were no famous Asians so that made them feel insignificant in the celebrities area. Now, however they feel proud and therefore more ambitious after realizing that fame through music can be achieved. Second the more Global impact was the world's view towards the Koreans, since they are now seen as people capable of singing opera as well, and not just the Europeans. It is because of this last reason that I believe she is a historical hero. People will look back and say that she, Sumi Jo, was the first Korean opera singer and will be proud of it. Just as Ms. Choi says, "Sumi Jo is known as a global Korean primadonna." This reputation can teach us a very important lesson; success comes if you want it enough and are determined to achieve it; this is what must be taught in our modern world in order to advance. You can always try and be the first and the best!

As a Korean I feel a personal connection with Sumi Jo. She gave me courage. I think I can pursue my dreams and achieve my goals. As for my former school friend, Kyudeh, who wanted to be a singer, following his goals is not an easy task. He must struggle with his parents in order to convince them that singing and following Sumi Jo's steps is what he wants to do. Therefore he must fight against the small odds for him to actually succeed as a celebrity. This is why Sumi Jo is the hero that she is today. She overcame the obstacles of society and fought against the slim chance of fame and became globally known for her talent.

Sumi Jo was the first Asian soprano singer with a major career. She changed peoples' view of Opera singers. Not all of them were European. Asians can be famous opera singers. Sumi can teach us how to succeed. While I was doing this project, my hero, I learned who can be a hero and about a hero's qualities. Everyone should have a hero, who is yours? Maybe one day an acquaintance or a friend could be your hero. Or maybe on the other hand you could someday be a hero to yourself and others.