In the KBS2 show 'Immortal Songs,' Jeon Yu-jin, who turned 20, defeated Rocky, who had a 100% winning rate, and claimed the final victory. Jeon Yu-jin's low vocal tone, which revealed the pain of heartbreak, blended perfectly with 'I won't love.'
According to the rating agency Nielsen Korea, the national viewership rating for 'Immortal Songs' (directed by Park Hyung-keun, Kim Hyung-seok, and Choi Seung-beom) was 5.3% for episode 694, claiming the top spot in viewership for the time slot. This marks an incredible 107 weeks of being the undisputed number one, continuing the title of 'absolute ruler of Saturday entertainment.'
KBS2 'Immortal Songs' is undeniably the best music variety show, boasting a record of consistent top viewership ratings in its time slot. Episode 694, aired on the 22nd (Saturday), was themed 'Artist Yoon Soo-il' and featured acts including Crack Shot, Gilgu Bonggu, Son Seung-yeon, Rocky, and Jeon Yu-jin, who took turns reinterpreting Yoon Soo-il's hit songs.
Before the main competition began, Yoon Soo-il, the protagonist of 'APT.', heated up the stage with his new song 'Is it a dream or a birthday?' Yoon Soo-il delivered this song, which carries a message of 'let's live happily forever,' in a warm voice that evoked smiles from the audience.
Crack Shot was the first to be called, opening the show. They performed a powerful heavy metal version of 'APT.,' which has made a successful resurgence after 42 years. The intense band sound was more than enough to overwhelm everyone. Crack Shot's vocalist Vincent took the stage, releasing chilling high notes next to Yoon Soo-il, truly delivering a shocking rock and roll performance.
Regarding Crack Shot's stage, Yoon Soo-il praised, "The sound was really good with the four of you playing and singing. Vincent’s voice reminded me of the Scorpions. It was truly amazing."
Gilgu Bonggu was the second act. They chose 'Parting of the Teacup,' showcasing the essence of ballads beautifully. The different voices of Gilgu Bonggu harmonized to enrich the song even further. During the performance, Gilgu appeared to be overwhelmed with emotion and shed tears, amplifying the mood of the piece. The emotion of parting was spread throughout the stage, creating a significant emotional impact.
Yoon Soo-il also commented on Gilgu Bonggu's stage, saying, "In line with the title of a vocal teacher, their singing was truly touching and wonderful. I saw Gilgu getting emotional while singing today. It was really nice." In the first match-up, Gilgu Bonggu secured 1 victory by receiving more votes than Crack Shot.
The third act was Son Seung-yeon, who took over with 'Beautiful.' Son Seung-yeon captured everyone's attention with a powerful performance this time. She showcased her tremendous singing skills while performing choreography alongside dancers, pleasing both the eyes and ears. Recognized for her vocal prowess, which has earned her the nickname 'monster vocalist,' she also demonstrated outstanding performance skills that amazed the audience.
Regarding Son Seung-yeon's stage, Yoon Soo-il noted, "I want to praise the changed arrangement and singing style based on the original song. It sounded beautiful," giving her a thumbs up. Son Seung-yeon secured a spot in the winner's seat by receiving more votes than Gilgu Bonggu.
Shining with a 100% winning rate, Rocky took the stage with 'Ecstatic Confession.' Dressed in a passionate red suit, Rocky delivered a performance filled with explosive talent and vocal skills, earning applause from everyone. Rocky moved around the stage, expressing ecstatic emotions. The 'neck-breaking' performance, reinterpreted in Rocky's unique style, made the audience sway.
Reflecting on the past when he first brought the pelvic dance to the stage, Yoon Soo-il expressed admiration, saying, "Our Rocky brings a very sexy performance with his pelvic movements. I focused on the upper body, but now the world has changed to focus on the lower body." Rocky dethroned Son Seung-yeon to claim the winner's seat.
The finale was adorned by Jeon Yu-jin with 'I won't love.' Declaring her intent to compete using just one microphone, Jeon Yu-jin skillfully navigated the emotional flow of the performance, creating various atmospheres and moods. It was hard to believe that she was just a freshly turned 20-year-old singer, as deep emotions emanated from her. Her low voice, which she identified as her strength, was the highlight of the stage.
Regarding Jeon Yu-jin's stage, Yoon Soo-il said, "You expressed things so well that I briefly recalled my mother's image. I think you will become a wonderful talent in our music industry in the future."
Concluding the stage, Yoon Soo-il expressed, "Although this is a competition where winning and losing matters, I would like to deeply thank everyone for their efforts today and express my gratitude to you all," conveying warmth to the juniors.
In the final battle, Rocky's 100% winning record was broken, delivering a surprise. Jeon Yu-jin defeated Rocky and embraced the final victory trophy.
This special episode showcased Yoon Soo-il's diverse musical world and behind-the-scenes stories as the protagonist of '42 years of resurgence myth.' Additionally, various performances were presented including Crack Shot’s heavy metal, Gilgu Bonggu’s ballads, and Son Seung-yeon’s performance challenge. The stages of 'performance king' Rocky and 'low voice trot queen' Jeon Yu-jin also captivated both the eyes and ears.
[Photo] Capture from the KBS 2TV broadcast of 'Immortal Songs.'