In the first-ever 'Korea-Japan Young Talent King Competition' attempted in the history of Korean-Japanese broadcasting, the fierce clash of young talents from both countries created an explosive synergy.
The MBN 'Korea-Japan Top Ten Show', broadcast on the 3rd, recorded a peak viewership rating of 6.3% and a nationwide rating of 5.7% (according to Nielsen Korea), achieving the top spot in entertainment ratings during the same time slot, including general programming and cable. The broadcast focused on the 'Korea-Japan Young Talent King Competition', featuring national representatives from both countries with exceptional skills, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations in 2025.
First, under the introduction of MCs Daesung and Kangnam, the young talents who will lead the future of Korea and Japan entered the stage, and all mentors, including Jeon Yu-jin, Mai Jin, Kim Da-hyun, Lin, Son Tae-jin, Shin Sung, Byeol Sarang, Aki, Makoto, Miu, and Kara's Kang Ji-young, gave enthusiastic support.
Leading the Korean team, captain Hwang Min-ho, along with trot prodigy Binnie Yeo-seo, the powerful singer Choi Yi-jung, the versatile genius Kim Yu-ha, the idol-turned An Yul, husky-voiced Kim Ye-eun, and filial trot prodigy Kim Tae-woong, all waved the Korean flag and expressed their determination.
Following them, the Japanese team captain Kudo Takeru, the youngest Nishiyama Riku, Japan's IU Mori Ran, the next-generation enka queen Akiyama Saki, the heavenly voice Kawai Yuto, J-POP hopeful Hanamachi Coco, and the uniquely talented Tonaki sisters greeted the audience with fighting spirit.
In particular, when Hwang Min-ho stood up to greet Mori Ran, Binnie Yeo-seo quipped, "Are you really flirting?" causing a burst of laughter. The first round, 'Self-Exploration Battle', was conducted with the Korean team performing on the Japanese team's stage and vice versa, with each participant scoring out of 100 points in a self-evaluation format.
As the first performer, Binnie Yeo-seo introduced herself in Japanese, garnering a positive response from the Japanese team. She said, "I prepared this song for my father, who raised me alone," and sang 'Father's River', delivering a touching performance, and with Lin's praise that "Yeo-seo is a singer who only needs to be appreciated," she scored a high total of 641 points out of 700.
Akiyama Saki, the next-generation enka queen who has received 22 trophies, shared a touching story, saying, "I hesitated to participate because it was the day of my mother's heart surgery, but she told me to go and do my best." Choosing 'Bokyo Jongkara', Saki showcased a 180-degree transformation from her shy demeanor, demonstrating her vocal techniques and scoring 653 points to take the lead.
Next up, Kim Tae-woong declared, "I will show the true K-spicy flavor," and showcased delicate emotional control and a rich singing style with 'Gandaeyo Geulsse'. He received praise, "You sing deliciously," and scored 619 points.
The enka sisters from Japan, Tonaki Nene and Tonaki Niwa, who are one year apart, performed 'The Man in the Yellow Shirt', learned from their grandfather, the grand champion of the 'Shine Music Festival Tokyo', adding a diamond step to their performance, scoring 618 points.
On the following stage, Kim Yu-ha smiled brightly at the Japanese young talents' comments about seeing her on 'Top Ten Show' featuring Nakashima Mika, and perfectly recreated BoA's 'NO.1' with flowing straight hair, fashion, and a powerful performance, earning 634 points.
Nishiyama Riku, a rising star in the enka scene who has swept national competitions just six months after learning to sing, drew laughter with her curly perm and cute speech. When Kim Yu-ha mentioned they were the same age, she suddenly walked over to shake hands and revealed that her chosen song was 'Ya Ya Ya, What Does My Age Matter?', surprising everyone. With her elbow clap and refreshing vocal power, she charmed the audience and scored 666 points, surpassing Saki's 653 points to take the lead.
An Yul transformed from the trot prince who sang 'My Love Like Starlight' three years ago into an idol visual center, surprising everyone. An Yul completed a refreshing and vibrant stage with the NCT DREAM remake of 'Candy', earning 628 points.
Kawai Yuto from the Japanese team, supported not only by 'Top Ten Show' Azuma Aki but also by global Hallyu star Kim Jae-joong, raised expectations. Overwhelmed with nerves, Yuto revealed his trembling but sang 'Become a Thousand Winds' with a clear and pure heavenly voice, delivering an emotional performance that brought tears to Aki's eyes, scoring 641 points.
Korean team captain Hwang Min-ho appeared in a red dragon robe and declared, "Am I destined to be king? I came to claim the throne today." Choosing 'Gwan Sang Tal Yeong', Hwang Min-ho overwhelmed the stage with explosive high notes, flexible vocal ability, and his signature drum performance, receiving high praise but fell short by 2 points to Riku, scoring 664 points.
Japanese team captain Kudo Takeru expressed his determination, saying, "I wanted to introduce enka songs to young people, so I really wanted to appear on this famous show in Japan." Takeru proved the essence of traditional enka with 'Naniwabushiya Jinsei wa', scoring 656 points.
Mori Ran, Japan's IU, chose 'The Ten Commandments', which became a hot topic when Jeon Yu-jin performed it, dominating the stage with her vocal ability that freely transitions from low to high notes, unique tone, and powerful choreography, but despite Jeon Yu-jin's praise, she scored 613 points. The youngest member of the Korean team, traditional music prodigy Choi Yi-jung, sang 'The Tiger is Coming Down' with a heart-wrenching traditional music style, receiving praise that "it feels like the reincarnation of young Sim Cheong," and scored 613 points.
Hanamachi Coco, who has received 30 scouting offers due to her fairy-like appearance, delivered a dynamic performance fitting for 'Dreamlike Climax', covering Chopin and Beethoven's pieces, and scored 601 points. Kim Ye-eun from the Korean team, who has swept various music competitions in just one year of trot experience, expressed her burden about her first appearance on the show but showcased her powerful voice and solid high notes with 'Contact Line', scoring 609 points.
Ultimately, Riku, who maintained the lead with 666 points, was selected as the MVP of the 'Self-Exploration Battle'. This raised curiosity about what special performances the Korean young talents would showcase as they handed victory to the Japanese young talents, and what fierce weapons the Japanese young talents would bring to maintain their advantage in the upcoming national competition, the Korea-Japan Young Talent 'One-on-One Field Selection Battle'.
Meanwhile, 'Korea-Japan Top Ten Show' airs every Monday at 9:20 PM.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
