Han Su-seong, who composed the national children’s song “Dad, Hang in There,” revealed that he once earned 30 million won per month in royalties.
On the episode of tvN variety show “You Quiz on the Block (Yoo Quiz)” broadcast on the 11th, composer Han Su-seong appeared to share the story behind the creation of “Dad, Hang in There” and his royalty income.
That day, Han Su-seong opened up about a past experience where he entered the recording studio business and lost all his assets. He said, “My dream as a child was to become a singer, and I wanted to record children’s songs too, but someone told me to take over a recording studio.” He added, “They said I could acquire it for just 40 million won. But when I came home from school, my wife told me she had sold our apartment.” He explained further, “After paying the 40th million won, we moved into a basement apartment with the remaining money.”
However, one year later, the landlord of the building where the recording studio was located went bankrupt, and he lost everything. Han Su-seong recalled, “There was nothing left to salvage from the recording studio. It all went to the bank.” To make ends meet, he had to attend school during the day and work on arrangements and give lessons at night. Han Su-seong said, “I don’t know how exhausted I was, but I couldn’t even tell my family. Because it was my fault,” revealing his regret toward his family at the time.
This experience later led to the birth of “Dad, Hang in There,” which became a national children’s song. He said, “I wondered if there was no song for fathers who had failed like me, or fathers who had made mistakes.” He added, “I really wanted my family to welcome me with ‘Welcome home, Dad’ when I came back.” He revealed, “‘Dad, Hang in There’ was a song with lyrics expressing what I wished people would say to me.”
Subsequently, “Dad, Hang in There” gained nationwide popularity after being used as advertising music for a card company in 2004.
Han Su-seong explained, “They said it aired 150 times a day for six months.” He added, “Because it was sung so much, royalties started coming in. Currently, 80% of my royalties come from this song.”
In particular, he revealed, “In the 2000s, I once received 30 million won per month. Not a pop song, but a children’s song,” sparking surprise at his income at the time.
Han Su-seong revealed that thanks to the royalties earned from “Dad, Hang in There,” he was able to pay off all his debts and move into a good apartment.
in ENTERTAINMENT
