/Courtesy of Fox "American Idol"

Han Hee-jun has become the highest ranked Korean American ever to appear on the popular reality TV singing competition, American Idol. He finished 9th out of hundreds who tried out for the show.

Calling himself a cool Korean American who lives in New York with a swag, the 23-year-old entered the annual contest to promote a non-profit organization.

Not coming from a musical family, Han taught himself how to sing while in his bathroom and he also learned to play the piano on his own. He said, "My parents don't know anything about music," and rarely played music at home. But he started listening to music when he came to America at age 10 and fell in love with rhythm and blues, saying, "It requires honesty and soul."

Han also has a self-deprecating sense of humor and the audience seemed to love it. However, some of the judges did not take him seriously because of it. But Han doesn't seem to have any regrets. "If I can make one person laugh, then my job is done," he said.

Since Han appeared on American Idol, people have stopped him on the streets, wanting his autograph. The Mets, an American baseball team in New York, asked him to throw the first pitch at their opening game.

Despite his success, Han is very humble and wants to remain that way. He believes that "good things come to those who do good, and provide unselfishly for others." He says his Christian faith keeps him grounded and he prays before each concert. He said he entered the American Idol contest not to become a star but to promote Milal Mission, a non-profit organization that started in Korea and helps disabled youth. He suffered from depression in his early years and went to the organization for help. He said that working for this organization turned his life around and that he wanted to give back to those who had given him so much.

"When I was in Korea, I pursued my dream [of making it as a singer] for two years but nothing happened, so I had depression. I always wanted to be on stage. I went there [Milal Mission] for my treatment. I fell in love with the kids who taught me how humble they are. They pulled me out of my misery and I wanted to give back."

Han has created awareness of the organization and raised four years' worth of donations for Milal Mission, but he wants to do more. "I want to donate lots of money to the organization when I make it [big]," he said.

Han says he would love to appear in TV shows and movies, and make his own acoustic album and perhaps perform a duet with his idol Tony Bennett. "The sky is not the limit," he said.