Song Ga-in: 'The best revenge for my 8 years of obscurity is success'

Singer Song Ga-in opened up about the hardships of her eight-year period of obscurity before rising to stardom through 'Miss Trot,' and the strength that allowed her to endure those times. The memories of traveling to stages via public transportation without a manager or a vehicle, preparing her own costumes, and even failing to receive performance fees left deep scars. However, Song Ga-in accepted those days as nourishment that made her music even more solid, stating, "The best revenge is success."

Appearing on the 6th episode of the MBC entertainment program 'Songs That Survived Today - Playlist 109' broadcast on August 25, Song Ga-in reminisced about the longest and most grueling period of obscurity in her musical life.

The turning point for Song Ga-in to truly make her name known to the public was the TV Chosun program 'Miss Trot' broadcast in 2019. At that time, Song Ga-in became the final winner of the competition by utilizing her unique deep vocal tone and singing style based on traditional Korean music, rapidly emerging as a new star of the trot genre. However, the time she had to endure to reach the top lasted as long as eight years.

Song Ga-in described that time as "a very difficult period of obscurity." She revealed that because she had no manager or vehicle, she had to travel to performance venues by bus and even had to personally source and reform the costumes to wear on stage. She also confessed that there were many instances where she did not properly receive payment even after performing.

Stages were not even guaranteed on a regular basis. She only had one or two performances scheduled a month, and even then, she could not know when a stage would become available, making it difficult to even hold a stable part-time job. Ultimately, she found a way to make a living by utilizing the skills she possessed.

As a major in traditional Korean music, Song Ga-in personally made and sold traditional hairpins called binyeo. She purchased materials in Dongdaemun and manufactured them herself, and even while participating in the 'Miss Trot' auditions and continuing the competition, she made and sold these hairpins. It was explained that this was not merely a means of livelihood, as she also used the sales profits for donations.

The cast members expressed surprise at her liveliness and persistence after hearing Song Ga-in's story. Lee Joon marveled at the beauty of the hairpins she made herself, and Lee Seok Hoon also reacted by saying, "That is amazing."

However, it was not just economic difficulties that were hardest for Song Ga-in. She confessed that during her long years of obscurity, the indifferent words of others often crushed her self-esteem.

When DinDin asked about the most sorrowful moment she experienced during those eight years, Song Ga-in recalled words she heard at a recording site. She said she had difficultly prepared a costume and went to the recording site, but just before stepping on stage, she heard, "Did you come wearing the same thing again?" The outfit she wore at the time was a white lace dress.

"I can't forget it. It became a wound to my heart," Song Ga-in said. For an unknown singer, even a single outfit prepared with great difficulty was a precious asset to stand on stage, but it was an experience where that effort was treated like a mockery in an instant.

There were also more direct evaluations of her appearance. Song Ga-in revealed that she heard, "You can't do anything with your face or your body, so you have to compete with your singing." It was a comment that went beyond a simple evaluation and felt as if her very existence was being denied.

She recalled that her self-esteem fell to "the very bottom of the basement," even thinking, "Since I don't have the face or the body, should I become a singer without a face?"

In that state, Song Ga-in challenged 'Miss Trot.' She revealed that she approached the competition while repeating the words "Just you wait" to herself. And eventually, she proved her existence with the result of winning.

When asked how she felt when she took first place in 'Miss Trot,' Song Ga-in answered without hesitation, "It was the best revenge."

"I always think that way. The best revenge is success," Song Ga-in said. This means that rather than directly refuting those who evaluated her lowly, proving her value through her success was the most certain answer.

At the same time, Song Ga-in did not define her past simply as a wound that needed to be erased. Rather, she said, "Isn't it because I had those times that I sing more sorrowfully? I actually think of it with gratitude."

This is also connected to the unique emotion of Song Ga-in's music. Her singing style, formed based on traditional Korean music, does not merely convey pitch and technique, but simultaneously embraces the Korean sentiments of 'Han' (sorrow) and 'Heung' (excitement). The long period of obscurity also served as a vital experience that shaped her musical expression.

She cited positive visualization and self-belief as the forces that allowed her to endure those eight years. Song Ga-in recalled telling her friends at the time, "I'm going to hold a dinner show in 10 years, so come visit." Even in a situation where nothing was guaranteed, she endured the present by vividly imagining a successful future.

That dream eventually became reality. Recalling the time her first concert sold out, Song Ga-in said, "It felt like I was dreaming." It was a moment when the scene she had long imagined only in her mind unfolded on an actual stage.

On this day, Song Ga-in chose "The Moon of Seoul," a track from her first full-length album, as her "survival song." This song captures the emotions of young people trying to carve out their lives in the unfamiliar space of Seoul.

"Many young people living away from home in Seoul listen to it," Song Ga-in explained. "I hope it serves as a source of strength not just for me, but for those challenging themselves in society in Seoul."",

The story of Song Ga-in, who rose to the top after eight years of obscurity, is more than a simple success story. The long wait, repeated setbacks, the blow to her self-esteem from others' judgments, and the time spent enduring by imagining her own future are what made her who she is today.

Ultimately, the "best revenge" she spoke of was not a way to tear others down, but a way to never give up on her own potential. The deep voice flowing from her on stage carries not only the joy of glamorous success but also the weight of the eight years when no one was watching.