By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Winner of hit television show ``Britain's Got Talent'' and a true believer in his dreams, Paul Potts is in Seoul to share his music and hope with his Korean fans.
Although not glamorous or breathtaking in appearance, as Paul Potts walked into the room, there was warmth and confidence in his eyes and smile.
``I got a quick look from the hotel window and (Seoul) was stunning. A mixture of the mountains and the city,'' Paul Potts said of his first visit to Seoul at a press conference Thursday.
The 36-year-old singer laughed heartily as he tried on his first hanbok, or Korean traditional clothes, which was given as a welcome gift.
Potts is visiting Korea on a leg of his world tour of 13 countries. At the airport, the humble singer was greeted by hoards of fans.
When asked of the difference between before and after becoming a star, he laughed and said ``I normally traveled less than 20 kilometers before, but now I am traveling 20,000 kilometers from one place to another.''
At his concert, fans will be able to listen to songs from his album, including Puccini's ``Nessun Dorma.''
``I treat each performance differently; it's not the same. (Just) like a different mind for different people,'' Potts said of his upcoming performance.
``This performance is a good mix and I love the songs. A bit of opera and others that everybody has heard,'' he added.
The concerts will indeed be meaningful, as Potts will donate 10 percent of the concert proceeds to North Korean children who suffer from tuberculosis.
``I think it's important that when you can prevent a disease, the world owes that to the children. I've seen in the U.K how a fully developed nation can suffer from a disease that is curable. It's a combination of education and resources,'' he said.
When a reporter asked Potts why he chose the North Korean children among others, the singer answered firmly, ``(To show) the world hasn't forgotten them and won't forget them.''
For his Korean fans, Potts encouraged them to hold on to their dreams, referring to British author Rudyard Kipling's poem ``If.''
``I enjoy (doing) what I love to do. If there's an opportunity, you have to go for it. You should take your opportunity because you never know what's in the corner,'' he said. Potts also added that he is planning to work on his new Christmas album this summer.
Paul Potts will hold concerts at Ewha Womans University Grand Hall May 3-5, and also in Busan May 7. For more information, visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 722-6504.