In the MBN ‘Korea-Japan Top 10 Show,’ a special commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan in 2025, the Korea-Japan team won the second match after a nail-biting contest.

The episode of MBN ‘Korea-Japan Top 10 Show’ aired on the 10th recorded a peak viewership rating of 5% in Bundang and a national rating of 4.5% (according to Nielsen Korea), achieving the top rating in the entertainment category for the same time slot, including comprehensive programming and cable. On that day, the Korean team, having tasted defeat and lost the MVP to the Japanese team during the first match ‘Self-Evaluation Match,’ poured their heart and soul into securing victory.

First, the Korean team, led by leader Hwang Min-ho, Bin Ye-seo, Kim Tae-woong, Kim Yu-ha, Ahn Yul, Kim Ye-eun, and Choi Yi-jeong, came out in order, shouting, “Let’s go, Korea!” The Japanese team, led by leader Kudo Takeru, Nishiyama Riku, Mori Ran, Akiyama Saki, Kawai Yuto, Hanamachi Koko, and the Tonaki sisters, shouted, “Let’s go!” igniting their competitive spirit. MC Daesung informed that the second match, ‘One-on-One Field Identification Match,’ involves the chosen protagonist picking an opponent and the winning team receives 1 point, building tension. He also mentioned that scores would be awarded based on votes from a panel of 20 audience members from both Korea and Japan, with a chance round worth double points, making it all the more intriguing. Hwang Min-ho declared, “I didn’t win the MVP during the self-evaluation match, but I will surely win today,” expressing his determination.

The heart-pounding first contestant was Hwang Min-ho, who called out Japanese team leader Kudo Takeru for an intense showdown from the start. Takeru showcased his impressive batting form as a former baseball player and declared, “I want to leave my mark in the ‘Korea-Japan Shin-Dong Gawangjeon,’” to which Hwang Min-ho responded in fluent Japanese, “I will surprise everyone in Japan with my performance,” earning praise for his Japanese skills over that of Gangnam. Taking the lead, Hwang Min-ho completed ‘The Love That Has Gone’ with heartfelt vocal power, while Takeru delivered Na Hoon-a’s ‘Ending’ with K-emotional nuances; however, Hwang Min-ho secured victory by a narrow margin of 3 votes.

Next, Kim Ye-eun chose the Tonaki sisters and expressed, “I will show my true skills,” while the Tonaki sisters confidently declared, “Since 1 plus 1 is 2, we will show a stage two times stronger.” Selecting ‘Murderous Stone,’ Kim Ye-eun delivered a spine-chilling performance with her characteristic husky voice, while the Tonaki sisters showcased a perfectly synchronized dance to ‘Can I Love You?’ that amazed everyone. However, Kim Ye-eun emerged victorious, bringing Korea their second win.

The next contestant, the first match MVP Shin-Dong Gawang Nishiyama Riku, selected the youngest Choi Yi-jeong with polite manners, bringing smiles. The combination of curly-haired Riku and Choi Yi-jeong in hanbok had everyone laughing, as Riku likened them to Poppin Hyun-joon and Park Ae-ri. Riku, declaring, “I will make sure you hear my voice,” dazzled with ‘The Song of Supreme Tuna.’ Choi Yi-jeong, who promised to deliver the spicy songs of Korea, sang ‘The Green Onion Hair’ with overwhelming skill honed under a waterfall, but Riku secured Japan's first victory.

Kim Yu-ha took on Hanamachi Koko and expressed, “I wanted to face off fairly, even though you perform J-POP.” With a K-POP versus J-POP showdown anticipated, Kim Yu-ha showcased K-sensitivity with ‘I Am a Firefly,’ which is immensely popular among elementary school students. Koko, choosing Kara’s ‘Pretty Girl,’ performed a cute dance and displayed her extended vocal ability in front of the original singer, Kang Ji-young. Kang Ji-young praised, “It’s impressive that you filled this stage alone, even though it’s a song sung by all five members of Kara,” while Jeon Yu-jin shared, “I felt like a mom watching her child,” which drew laughter from Rin, who retorted, “That mom smile is mine!” Koko won, resulting in a 2-2 tie between the Korean and Japanese teams.

Kim Tae-woong expressed, “I wanted to do this since the self-evaluation match,” and selected Kawai Yuto, who appeared with a lackluster demeanor once again, making the audience laugh. Kim Tae-woong opted to showcase K-trot infused with Korean spirit, expressing profound emotion with ‘Oh Hey.’ Yuto sang ‘Carried by You,’ a music piece from studio Ghibli, with a clear and clean celestial voice and received high praise from Rin, who remarked, “He’s a friend born to make music.” With Yuto’s victory, he led Japan to a comeback win.

Next, the ‘Enka Princess’ Akiyama Saki selected ‘Authentic Trot Genius’ Bin Ye-seo, setting the stage for a big match. Bin Ye-seo responded, “I was hoping to avoid this opponent, so I’m surprised,” while Saki added, “Don’t cry from losing to me,” creating palpable tension. Saki performed the representative trot of Korea, ‘Come Back to Busan Port,’ demonstrating excellent Korean pronunciation and captivating vocal strength. In response, Bin Ye-seo countered with ‘Mulley Ya,’ maximizing the emotional depth of authentic K-trot, and emerged victorious, bringing the teams to yet another tie.

Ahn Yul and Mori Ran faced off in an automatic match, creating a battle of visual appeal. Ahn Yul, who dreams of being a K-POP idol, expressed, “I want to introduce the emotions of Korean music to my Japanese friends,” delivering heartfelt emotion with ‘Around Thirty.’ Mori Ran, aspiring to be a J-POP idol, chose IU’s ‘You Know’ and received praise for her typically city pop like vocals. However, Ahn Yul triumphed, allowing the Korean team to regain and take the lead.

Finally, the team leaders from Korea and Japan, Hwang Min-ho and Takeru, engaged in a duet performance alongside their assistants Kim Da-hyun and Aki, showcasing a battle of pride. Korean team leader Hwang Min-ho expressed, “I want to win for a long time,” and, alongside Kim Da-hyun, presented ‘Please Live Long’ with intense singing that heightened emotions. Japanese team leader Takeru and Aki brought forth the delightful flavor of enka with the representative song from Japan, ‘Festival.’ However, victory went to Hwang Min-ho and Kim Da-hyun, earning Korea 2 points and the final win.

[Photo] Captured from the broadcast of ‘Korea-Japan Top 10 Show’.

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