Ali has once again claimed the victory trophy on 'Immortal Songs', tying with Jung Dong-ha for a total of 16 wins.
On the 7th, KBS2's entertainment program 'Immortal Songs' aired the first part of the 'Artists Noh Sa-yeon & Choi Sung-soo' episode. Among 10 teams, including Woody, H1-KEY, Lee Se-jun, Hwang Min-ho, and Ali, a total of 5 teams took the stage in turn to breathe new life into the national hit songs of Noh Sa-yeon and Choi Sung-soo.
First, Noh Sa-yeon took the stage and sang 'Beginning', communicating with the panel of judges. With her deeply emotional and heavy voice, she warmed the hearts of the listeners. A comfortable smile blossomed in various places during Noh Sa-yeon's healing performance.
Woody was the first to be selected. After 13 years since his debut, Woody made his first appearance on 'Immortal Songs' with Noh Sa-yeon's 'Wish'. Woody sang in a conversational style with his unique voice, touching the emotions of the audience. His unembellished voice resonated comfortably, bringing smiles to the listeners. Not only was his tone impressive, but his expressive ability also effectively conveyed the message contained in the lyrics.
Noh Sa-yeon commented, "I realized how much it can change through arrangement. I think young people will find a lot of comfort in Woody's song. I almost cried."
H1-KEY took the stage next with Choi Sung-soo's 'Love of the Leaf'. The refreshing and vibrant arrangement of 'Love of the Leaf' combined with H1-KEY's energy created a stage that was truly like Vitamin C. Their performance, shouting 'leaf' and 'dew', stimulated smiles. In particular, H1-KEY drew attention with their smooth high notes and stable vocal ability, showcasing their impressive song interpretation as a talented idol group.
Choi Sung-soo smiled, saying, "It felt like the uncles watching their niece. It was the brightest and prettiest rendition of 'Love of the Leaf', and they did really well. I'm incredibly happy today." Woody was declared the winner of the first match and took his place in the winner's seat.
Lee Se-jun changed the atmosphere with Choi Sung-soo's 'Companionship'. He sang with deep affection for his wife and son, who walk the path of life together. His unique voice blended well with the song, effectively conveying the message. The insertion of the main melody from 'My Way' in the middle of the performance created an impressive narrative structure. The stage direction and arrangement of instruments combined with Lee Se-jun's skills elevated the performance to its highest level. A family photo of Lee Se-jun displayed behind him added to the emotional impact.
Choi Sung-soo remarked on Lee Se-jun's 'Companionship', "You sang it even better than I could. I was happy throughout. I believe that when you sing with the hope that those listening will feel warmth, that sincerity is conveyed." The second match between Woody and Lee Se-jun ended with Lee Se-jun's victory.
Hwang Min-ho continued the stage with Choi Sung-soo's 'Our Joyful Love' as the fourth performer. At 41 years younger than Lee Se-jun, Hwang Min-ho took the stage with a spirit of challenge towards his senior. He combined trot and rock band elements, pioneering a genre called 'Trok'. Hwang Min-ho captivated the audience from the start with his new approach, showcasing a mature emotional depth and skill that was hard to believe for the youngest participant.
Choi Sung-soo commented, "Is this what genius looks like? I learned a lot today," and addressed Hwang Min-ho, who called Noh Sa-yeon 'noona', saying, "Call me hyung too." In the third match, Hwang Min-ho received more votes than Lee Se-jun and secured his first win.
Ali closed the first part by singing Noh Sa-yeon's 'Shadow of My Beloved'. Ali portrayed a singer who could not stay by her ailing father's side, borrowing from a musical format. She showcased immense charisma, and the panel of judges was completely absorbed in her performance. The insertion of the iconic number 'Memory' from the musical 'Cats' elevated the composition and directorial quality. Her near-perfect vocal ability and acting delivered overwhelming emotion.
Noh Sa-yeon expressed her feelings about Ali's 'Shadow of My Beloved', saying, "When it started, it was a song that touched my heart, and I felt like I was going to cry." MC Shin Dong-yeop was also deeply moved by Ali's performance and shared his own experiences, resonating with the audience. Noh Sa-yeon then confessed that she had developed sudden hearing loss, receiving support and applause. She smiled, saying, "It was despairing as a singer, but through constant lessons and using hearing aids, I am working on creating my sound."
Ali celebrated her final victory with more votes than Hwang Min-ho. Holding the trophy presented by Noh Sa-yeon, Ali smiled with joy. Ali became the owner of the final trophy of 'Immortal Songs', tying with Jung Dong-ha for the title of 'Most Wins'.
Meanwhile, 'Immortal Songs' airs every Saturday at 6:05 PM.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
