'Current King of Singers 2' achieved a remarkable feat by crowning Park Seo-jin as the 2nd 'Current King of Singers', breaking its own record and leaving a thrilling finale.
The final episode of 'Current King of Singers 2', aired on the 25th, recorded a peak viewership rating of 15.1% and a nationwide rating of 13.9% (according to Nielsen Korea), setting an astonishing record by surpassing its own highest rating. It achieved the top spot in the same time slot across all channels for 12 consecutive weeks and was the number one entertainment program on Tuesdays, marking a triumphant conclusion.
In the final episode, the TOP 10 contestants of 'Current King of Singers 2' - Hwanhee, Shin Yoo, Kim Soo-chan, Park Seo-jin, Jin Hae-sung, Kim Jun-soo, Choi Soo-ho, Kang Moon-kyung, Shin Seung-tae, and Enok - battled it out in the final round with 'Songs of the Current'. The TOP 10 members delivered heartfelt performances with songs that encapsulated their lives, moving the audience deeply.
Hwanhee caught attention by inviting his mother to the stage for the first time in his 25-year singing career. He chose the song 'Thank You', which he wanted to share with his mother, and his heartfelt expression matched the lyrics, providing a delightful experience for the audience. His mother was moved to tears while listening. Hwanhee's heartfelt performance received a high score of 100 and a low score of 70.
Shin Yoo, who expressed, "I was happy to reach the finals, but my heart was heavy," met his mother, Han Seong-ja, for encouragement before the competition. Choosing 'Song of the Wind', Shin Yoo showcased his determination despite suffering from a severe cold, and received comforting words from Nam Jin, who said, "I found a lot of charm in your husky voice." Shin Yoo shed tears and tied with Hwanhee, scoring a high of 100 and a low of 70.
Kim Soo-chan, who has long been called 'Little Nam Jin', took a risk with Nam Jin's 'Empty Glass'. Before his final performance, he prepared various dishes for his younger brother, gaining strength from his brother's words, "You have always been a superstar." On stage, he showcased his solid vocal skills hidden behind his entertainment persona. Kim Soo-chan received high praise from the original artist Nam Jin, who said, "Today, this song was Kim Soo-chan's empty glass," and scored a high of 100 and a low of 70, just like Hwanhee and Shin Yoo.
Park Seo-jin confessed that he had received many criticisms from senior singers about playing the janggu, saying it lowered the dignity of a singer, but he declared, "I want to end my final performance with what I do best," and took up the janggu again, capturing attention. Park Seo-jin delivered a performance with explosive vocals and mesmerizing janggu playing with 'Heungtaryeong', even adding a lion dance to create an exhilarating show. He received high praise from Yoon Myung-sun, who said, "You really played well and conveyed the emotion perfectly," scoring a high of 98 and a low of 80.
Jin Hae-sung chose 'Time of Indifference' as a song dedicated to his grandmother, who raised him in place of his busy parents. Heading to Busan, where his grandmother lives, he treated her to home-cooked meals, and when she cried, saying, "I want to see my grandson succeed," he cried along with her. Jin Hae-sung expressed 'Time of Indifference' with deep emotion, scoring a high of 100 and a low of 68. Later, he was seen shedding tears while guarding his grandmother's funeral, evoking sympathy.
Kim Jun-soo, the youngest member of the National Changgeuk Company, made his final performance with the support of legendary traditional music masters Yoon Moon-sik and Kim Seong-nyeo. Kim Jun-soo delivered a powerful performance of 'Don't Cross That River', showcasing a range from roaring sounds to emotionally resonant tones. He received high praise from Seol Woon-do, who said, "I felt respect as a fellow musician," scoring a high of 100 and a low of 77.
Choi Soo-ho challenged the first traditional Korean music stage in 'Current King of Singers 2' in front of his grandmother and parents, who came to watch the final performance, with 'Farewell of Han'. Choi Soo-ho beautifully depicted the emotions of Han that can be felt in traditional Korean music, and after the performance, he shed tears thinking of his late grandfather. He received a high score of 100 and a low score of 95.
Kang Moon-kyung, who decided to conclude 'Current King of Singers 2' with 'Very', visited the Chinese restaurant run by his parents, showing affection by giving his mother a kiss and hugging his father, showcasing his charming side. Kang Moon-kyung proved the class of 'Pongshin' with a performance that left a lasting impression, scoring a high of 100 and a low of 80, raising expectations for the top ranks.
Shin Seung-tae chose 'Love is the Flower of Life' as his final song, expressing that it reminded him of his family, who were once in difficult circumstances but were filled with happiness. From the first note, Shin Seung-tae captivated everyone with explosive talent, prompting even MC Shin Dong-yeop to exclaim, "This is amazing." He scored a high of 100 and a low of 99, achieving the highest score.
Enok selected 'Everyone' as a song dedicated to his parents and fans, delivering a dramatic performance showcasing his explosive vocal power. Yoon Myung-sun, who witnessed Enok's heartfelt healing performance, commented, "It was a stage where I realized he is a true artist and a creator," and Enok shed tears from overwhelming emotions. He scored a high of 100 and a low of 72.
After all rounds of 'Current King of Singers 2' concluded, the final rankings were announced, reflecting the total scores from the first round, on-site judging results, public support votes, and real-time text voting. The total of 2,434,804 real-time text votes showed an increase of over 160,000 votes compared to 'Current King of Singers' Season 1, and the prestigious title of 'Current King of Singers' TOP 1 was awarded to Park Seo-jin, who received 396,359 votes out of the total 2,434,804, achieving a total score of 4,574. Following him, Jin Hae-sung, Enok, Shin Seung-tae, Kim Jun-soo, Choi Soo-ho, and Kang Moon-kyung were named in the TOP 7.
Park Seo-jin, who was considered a strong candidate for victory throughout the competition with amazing performances that surprised viewers in every round, expressed, "Winning was possible because the public chose me. I will work harder," sharing his heartfelt thoughts. Over the past three months, 'Current King of Singers 2' has established a new concept in trot survival as the unrivaled Tuesday entertainment champion, and we summarize what it has left behind.
■ What 'Current King of Singers 2' has left behind 1. Viewership ratings - buzz - replays - music - YouTube, achieving all five major buzz categories
'Current King of Singers 2' started with a nationwide viewership rating of 8.0% and rose to prominence, achieving the top spot in the same time slot across all channels for 12 consecutive weeks, and was the number one entertainment program on Tuesdays, earning the title of 'viewership king'. Additionally, it dominated the non-drama TV search response rankings for four consecutive weeks, as announced by Good Data Corporation, and held the number one spot for popular keywords for eight consecutive weeks, proving its hot topic status. Furthermore, it was ranked first in 'TV Replays' as announced by Home Choice, a cable TV VOD service company, demonstrating the viewers' binge-watching enthusiasm, and the music from the final round's 'New Song Mission' charted on various music charts, while the performance videos of the TOP 10 surpassed a total of 70 million views on MBN and CREA Studio's official YouTube channel, achieving success across broadcasting and culture.
■ What 'Current King of Singers 2' has left behind 2. Amazing stages proving the kings of the stage
'Current King of Singers 2' gathered the current top talents in trot music to compete, resulting in amazing performances from the kings of the stage. In particular, the production team of 'Current King of Singers 2' showcased fantastic stage direction and thrilling competition dynamics based on their experience from all previous seasons, consistently impressing the audience. The current contestants, shedding their career labels, created upgraded stages to reveal their true worth, significantly influencing the 'diversification of trot' and 'expansion of the trot worldview', raising expectations for 'trot above trot' that 'Current King of Singers 2' will create.
■ What 'Current King of Singers 2' has left behind 3. MC Shin Dong-yeop and the celebrity judging panel's active roles
Continuing from the previous season, MC Shin Dong-yeop showcased his talents as a top MC, effectively serving as a special messenger for 'Current King of Singers 2'. His well-timed humor lightened the atmosphere, while his sharp remarks heightened the tension of the survival competition, adding to the fun. Additionally, legendary trot singers Nam Jin, Seol Woon-do, and Joo Hyun-mi, along with hit trot composers Yoon Myung-sun, provided sharp analysis and warm advice, adding professionalism. Moreover, Park Hyun-bin, Lee Ji-hye, Daesung, Kangnam, and Jang Young-ran evoked empathy with their stormy reactions and perfect comments.
■ What 'Current King of Singers 2' has left behind 4. Opening the door to the 2025 'Korea-Japan King of Singers Competition'
The TOP 7 of 'Current King of Singers 2' will join the new season of the 'Korea-Japan King of Singers Competition' in 2025, having achieved victory against Japan in Season 1. The TOP 7, representing Korea in the trot scene, will serve as a cultural bridge between Korea and Japan, spreading the glory of K-trot. It is anticipated what kind of amazing performances the national representative TOP 7, equipped with both skill and charm, will create against Japan.
The production team of 'Current King of Singers 2' stated, "The future of the TOP 7 is just beginning. To repay the love received from viewers over the past three months, the TOP 7 will seek out viewers in various ways. We ask for your continued interest in the upcoming 'Current King of Singers 2' gala show and the 2025 'Korea-Japan King of Singers Competition', and we request your unwavering support for the proud national representative TOP 7," concluding their remarks.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
