Koo Chang Mo's pivot from 'Hinari' hit to car sales in Kazakhstan

Singer Koo Chang Mo has shared the story of the isolation he felt during his solo career and his unexpected transformation into a businessman. In a recent video on the YouTube channel 'Dongchimi', Koo detailed the psychological shifts he experienced as a soloist following his time with Songgolmae and the reasons behind his sudden departure from the music industry.

The loneliness hidden behind the success of 'Hinari'

Koo recalled that although 'Hinari', released after his solo debut, was a massive success, the emotional toll was complex. According to his remarks in the video, while he lived closely with the members of Songgolmae, the lack of companionship after becoming an independent soloist was his greatest struggle. He specifically mentioned a sense of profound isolation, noting that after finishing late-night schedules, he would sometimes drive to Gyeongpo-dae with nowhere to return to, only to drive back after watching the sun rise.

He also explained the backstory of 'Hinari'. Koo revealed that the song was the last one recorded for his solo album, and he discovered it after Na Hoon-A suggested to the agency president that a composer named Chu Se-ho would be a perfect fit for him. He added that even though his relationship with Bae Cheol-soo was somewhat distant at the time, Bae maintained a supportive relationship, celebrating Koo's success.

The scars of the PD scandal and the meeting at the Voice of Asia festival

Regarding why his career as a singer abruptly halted, he cited the 'PD scandal' of 1990. Koo stated that he suffered deep emotional scars while being held for approximately 15 hours during a prosecution investigation as a witness. He revealed that the period was so difficult that he threw his microphone and spent his days drinking. During this low point, receiving an invitation to the 'Voice of Asia' music festival in Kazakhstan became a turning point.

Koo described the fear he felt upon arriving in Kazakhstan and the pure nature of the local people. He shared that through a chance encounter with a Korean chairman named Min at the festival, a fateful meeting unfolded with Kim Go-jung, an executive director at Hyundai. Kim was a fan of Koo, and through this connection, he received a proposal to enter the automobile business.

A $340,000 car contract driven by song

Koo recalled that his transition from singer to businessman was highly dramatic. Initially, he struggled to find buyers while carrying only catalogs without any physical vehicles to show. However, he revealed an anecdote where he eventually closed a major deal through his singing. During a business trip to Moscow, he met a young bank president and moved him by singing 'Hinari' and 'My Way' at a hotel.

According to Koo, the bank president initially delayed the contract but eventually requested that he sing 'Hinari' once more. Following the performance, the president signed the contract and purchased 34 cars. The deal was so large it reportedly surprised Hyundai, and this success allowed Koo to expand his car sales business across Central Asian markets, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, generating significant profits.