K-Pop rockstar Song Seung Hyun is giving back to his new home in the Big Apple by joining The Shops at Skyview in a Spring Forward/Give Back clothing drive to raise money for children in the Queens community.
The Shops at Skyview kicked off the spring season on March 15 with an event fostering creativity and giving back to the community through a clothing drive in collaboration with the Queens Borough President’s office and Queens Public Schools. As a newly minted Queens resident, Song Seung Hyun, a former K-Pop idol of the group FTIsland, joined in the effort as an ambassador to support children’s education initiatives.
amNewYork Metro sat down with Song Seung Hyun, who discussed how he is starting fresh as a Queens resident and wants to give back to the community that has become his new home.
“This charity is helping people who are in need. So, without hesitation, I wanted to become a part of this meaningful event,” Song Seung Hyun said.
From South Korea to New York City, Song Seung Hyun took a step back from the entertainment industry this past year to move to America for a new life with his wife. Song Seung Hyun greatly admired the freedom and compassion of those in New York City, and since moving here over the summer, he has been welcomed with open arms. It is this gratitude that he seeks to reciprocate.
Immigrating to the United States was a daunting experience for the singer who is still learning English, but all of his fears have evaporated after becoming a true Queens Man.
“In the beginning, I was concerned because there was a language boundary and different culture, but now all the worries I’ve had have faded away, and I’m living a happy life in America,” Song Seung Hyun said.
The move was both his happily ever after with his wife, a Queens native, and an important step in leading a healthier life. The entertainment industry is a harsh and unforgiving world, especially for a K-Pop idol who must undergo continuous scrutiny about his personal life and appearance. Song Seung Hyun wanted to be free of the unnecessary criticisms and societal conformities–to no longer feel stifled by others– and lead a life filled with artistic freedom and creativity. It is in New York City where Song Seung Hyun feels like he can finally breathe.
“I’ve been in the entertainment industry for 15 years, and this wasn’t a short period. Now that I’m in America, trying new things, and having a different working environment, I feel healthier,” Song Seung Hyun said. “It’s different here, I like this.”
“In Korea, [the entertainment industry] is such a rigid system; it’s not flexible, and sometimes I felt very frustrated because I had to stick with that routine,” Song Seung Hyun added.
“[It takes] a strong mindset, since this industry is all about being seen, there will be constant judgment and evaluation unavoidably, which can also leave emotional scars,” Song Seung Hyun shared.
Living in Queens, Song Seung Hyun has been able to work more with his wife. Together, they created Film Memento, a K-style photo booth that has been installed in numerous locations, including The Shops at Skyview in Flushing.
“It connects with the entertainment industry with media, arts, and entertainment and so I wanted to use Film Memento for a way friends and family could capture moments tangibly,” Song Seung Hyun said.
It was at The Shops at Skyview that Song Seung Hyun worked with Wesley Sin, regional marketing manager for ShopCore Properties, to participate in Spring Forward/Give Back. It was important for Song Seung Hyun to take his fun creation and use it to raise money for public schools in Queens. He shared that the money donated will also go to the Queens Library to support programs that teach immigrant children English through music and the arts.
As ambassador, Song Seung Hyun sang briefly for those attending the event, signed autographs, and posed for photos with eager FTIsland fans.
The clothing drive also included a spring fashion showcase featuring styles from the 1960s,70s, 80s, and 90s with brands found within the mall. It also included an interactive patch station, mini-makeovers with Sephora, and raffle giveaways from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are excited to welcome the community to a time of renewal and transformation as part of our ‘Spring Forward/Give Back’ event, which highlights our many quality retailers and provides our guests with an opportunity to give back to the community,” says Wesley Sin, regional marketing manager for ShopCore Properties, owner and manager of The Shops at Skyview. “We also want to thank Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. for his help in coordinating the clothing donation effort with local public schools, including PS219, PS22, and more. And we are exceptionally proud to have K-pop star Song Seung Hyun join us as an ambassador for the event and for children’s educational programs in our community.”
