Singer Hwang Ka-ram's heartfelt song resonates across generations

Hwang rises from obscurity to fame with song 'I Am a Firefly'

By KTimes

Singer Hwang Ka-ram, 40, has finally stepped into the spotlight with "I Am a Firefly." Since its release in October last year, the song has steadily climbed the charts, topping Kakao Music’s real-time rankings and reaching No. 3 on Melon’s Top 100.

At the heart of the song’s appeal lies its simplicity — straightforward yet deeply resonant lyrics that have struck a chord across generations, delivering a universal message of comfort and hope.

"I thought I was a shining star / Never once did I doubt it / But I didn’t know I was just a bug / And yet, I still shine bright."

The song’s emotional depth is reflected in the overwhelming response from listeners, who have taken to YouTube’s comment section to share how it has touched their lives.

People from all walks of life — teenagers preparing for exams, young adults facing setbacks and elderly listeners reminiscing about their past — have expressed their connection to the song.

A construction worker in his 40s shared how it moved him to tears. "During my lunch break, I laid down on a cardboard box at the site, listened to this song, and just broke down crying."

A listener struggling with lifelong health issues found solace in its lyrics. "I’ve spent most of my life in hospitals. My health kept me from finishing school, and now I’m 29. This song has been a deep source of comfort."

For others, the song became a companion in their lowest moments. "I failed my college entrance exam and couldn’t even get a part-time job. I felt miserable and worthless. But when I heard this song, tears just started falling."

Even exhausted parents have shared how unexpectedly emotional the song made them. "I’m a 33-year-old father of two little girls, aged 2 and 5. After a grueling overnight shift, I was driving home at dawn when this song came on the radio. I had to pull over because I couldn’t stop crying."

Despite its recent surge in popularity, "I Am a Firefly" was originally written and released in 2020 by indie band Lunch. The song’s creator, Jeong Jung-shik, described its origins as an inside joke that turned into something much bigger.

"A friend working in Muju County in North Jeolla Province jokingly told me that if I wrote a song like 'Yeosu Night Sea,' it would get played everywhere," Jeong recalled. Taking the remark as a challenge, he completed the song in just one day.

For years, the song remained relatively unknown — until 2023, when Hwang Ka-ram, who had become close to Jeong while appearing together on MBN’s audition program "Oppa’s Generation," rerecorded it. The new version catapulted it to mainstream success.

Though originally inspired by Jeong’s personal experiences, the song’s themes of struggle and resilience mirror Hwang’s own journey. Having spent decades in obscurity, "I Am a Firefly" finally gave him the recognition that once seemed out of reach.

A long road to recognition

Born in Masan, South Gyeongsang Province, Hwang’s path to music was anything but conventional. Initially a taekwondo athlete, he was forced to quit after a major injury. As a high school student, he set off for Seoul alone, determined to become a singer.

"When I first started singing, I realized just how bad I was," he said in an interview with the Hankook Ilbo on Feb. 13. "I always thought I had a natural talent for things, but this was different. Even though I doubted I could ever become a singer, music was the only thing that made me happy, so I kept going."

Much like the firefly in his song’s lyrics, Hwang spent 147 days living in makeshift shelters when he was in high school — sleeping on park benches, rooftops near warm air vents and even public restrooms heated by radiators. In between, he would busk on the streets whenever he had the chance.

His struggles took a physical toll. He lost over 30 kilograms, and at one point, a skin infection forced him to shave off his eyebrows and body hair. The following year, he returned to Seoul, where he experienced intermittent homelessness.

He took on various part-time jobs, including selling "hotteok" (Korean sweet pancakes), using his earnings to rent a storage unit as a temporary shelter.

Breakthrough

Hwang officially debuted in 2011 as part of a co-ed duo, but mainstream success eluded him. He continued making music with six friends from Masan, handling everything from production and mixing to filming music videos just to make ends meet.

In 2019, he caught a rare opportunity, beating the 300-to-1 odds to become the new lead vocalist of the band Pinocchio, known for "Between Love and Friendship." However, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed his plans before they could fully materialize.

"That was probably my lowest point," he recalled. "It felt like the whole world was telling me to stop, but I just wasn’t getting the message."

Despite the setbacks, Hwang persisted, writing over 100 songs, including "How Much Will It Cost Me to Let Go of My Dream," later recorded by singer Shin Min-kyung. "That song, in a way, shaped who I am today," he said.

For years, he released music solely through drama soundtracks — without a single full album to his name. Now, "I Am a Firefly" has finally turned him into a star. "I hope people don’t limit their dreams to only what seems achievable," he said. "What truly matters is finding joy in the pursuit itself."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.