Lee Mi-ja's Words Change Kim Yong-bin: 'This is How a Senior Should Be'

A senior's single word toward a junior can become a wound to some, and the strength to rise again for others. As it was revealed that singer Lee Mi-ja offered warm encouragement to Kim Yong-bin, who experienced the disappointment of a canceled concert, it drew attention by contrasting with the recent controversy regarding Sim Soo-bong's remarks toward her junior Kim Da-hyun. It is a scene that shows how the experience of a great senior, who has gone through numerous ups and downs on stage over many years, can serve as comfort to a junior.

On the KBS2 entertainment program 'Boss in the Mirror' broadcast on the 11th, Kim Yong-bin mentioned the cancellation of his concert last September while conversing with the staff. He could not hide his disappointment, saying, "It was sold out in just one minute." Since the performance, which had gathered intense interest enough to sell out quickly, was canceled, it was a regrettable matter not only for the singer himself but also for the fans who were waiting for the performance.

At this time, Kim Yong-bin revealed a KakaoTalk message he received from Lee Mi-ja. He introduced the comfort contained in the message, saying, "A while ago, Lee Mi-ja teacher sent me a KakaoTalk message." Lee Mi-ja comforted the junior, who might have been discouraged by the unexpected situation, saying, "In life, many things happen that you, Yong-bin, may not know. Do not be too sad."

The message went beyond simple comfort and contained experience and advice gained from a long career as a singer. Lee Mi-ja wrote, "There is no such thing as continuous success without any problems. It will definitely turn a misfortune into a blessing, so do not be disappointed." She continued to calmly point out the fluctuations one must face in the process of living as a singer, saying, "You will have to live prepared for many trials and joys to come in the future."

She also expressed expectation that Kim Yong-bin will stand on even larger stages in the future. Along with the words, "Based on my past experience, Yong-bin, you will hold an even better and grander concert in a better place," she cheered him on with "Kim Yong-bin fighting!" She led him to view this not as staying in the immediate frustration of a canceled performance, but as a process to move forward. Park Myeong-su marveled upon seeing the message, saying, "I am truly grateful. How can she say such things?" Kim Yong-bin also expressed special gratitude, saying, "She is the teacher my grandmother loved the most."

This scene drew even more attention as it coincided with the controversy surrounding the remarks Sim Soo-bong recently made to her junior Kim Da-hyun. Sim Soo-bong caused controversy by saying to Kim Da-hyun, who was 17 at the time, on a trot festival stage held in Jinan County, Jeonbuk, "A young lady, it seems like a lady who doesn't know what singing is or what life is." Given that the remarks were made by a senior with a long career, attention focused on whether the scope and method of advice toward a junior and the expression on a public stage were appropriate.

Sim Soo-bong later apologized through a statement, saying, "Even if I had ten mouths, I would have nothing to say." She revealed that after hearing from her father that Kim Da-hyun sang 'A Million Roses' while playing the piano at her concert, her eyes welled up thinking, "How much must she have practiced?" Separately from the remarks that caused the controversy, she showed an attempt to settle the situation by conveying her heart being moved by the junior's efforts.

Kim Da-hyun also directly stated her position, announcing that a conversation with Sim Soo-bong had taken place. She said, "I also had a direct phone call with Sim Soo-bong teacher, and the teacher personally offered an apology and gave warm encouragement and comfort." She added, "I will compose my heart well, so please do not worry and let's meet again with bright faces," to reassure fans.

These two cases show how heavy the weight of words is in a senior-junior relationship. Even if it is advice stemming from long experience, if it does not consider the situation, age, and context of the relationship the other person is in, it can be received differently from the intention. Conversely, words like Lee Mi-ja's message, which first considers the other person's difficulties and conveys belief in the future, can become the strength to endure frustration. A senior's authority is not completed only by career or fame, but also changes depending on how that experience is delivered to a junior. This is also why Lee Mi-ja's encouragement to Kim Yong-bin received a warm response.

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