The final victory of ‘Undercover’ went to Kim Ye-chan.
In the final episode of the ENA entertainment program ‘Undercover’ aired on the 16th, the ‘TOP 5’ who took the stage with their new songs for the first time and the long-awaited winner were revealed. The new song performances of the ‘TOP 5’, which incorporated their own stories, moved the listeners and achieved a satisfying conclusion.
Starting with Round 1 ‘Booth Audition’, followed by Round 2 ‘Flea Team Battle’, Round 3 ‘Weakness Identification Battle’, Round 4 ‘Duet Battle’, and the Final Round 1 ‘TOP 5 Decision Match’, Kim Ye-chan, Kim Ui-seo, Seo Samuel, Seo Hee, and Lee Jun, who passed all the intense missions, made it to the ‘TOP 5’ and participated in the final ‘On the COVER’ mission. Those who had performed on stage with others' songs until now were evaluated with their own new songs in which they participated in the lyrics.
Kim Ye-chan was the first to take the stage. He expressed, “I hope this song can shine a light for those who feel deeply submerged,” and presented his new song ‘Let It Shine’. After completing a stage filled with hopeful energy, ‘TOP Listener’ Jung Jae-hyung remarked, “It feels like Ye-chan was born with this song,” while Kwon Eun-bi said, “It feels like he debuted as a solo artist on a music show. I was excited but also teary.” Kim Ye-chan also expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I’m completely satisfied,” feeling proud of his final stage without any regrets.
Next, Kim Ui-seo took the stage with his new song ‘I Just Needed a Warm Word’. He put down the guitar that had been like a second self and stated, “I want to convey my feelings solely with my voice,” delivering a performance that left a deep impression with his unique husky voice. Jung Jae-hyung and Lee Seok-hoon praised him, saying, “It was great even without the guitar.” Jung Jae-hyung added, “I hope this stage expands your horizons,” showing his support. It was indeed a stage where Kim Ui-seo’s voice alone resonated perfectly, as he wished.
The third stage featured 18-year-old high school student Seo Hee. With the song title ‘Hee World’, she showcased her confidence and delivered a relaxed performance that made it hard to believe it was her last. The audience reacted explosively to her performance, where she poured out everything she excelled at. Lee Seok-hoon remarked, “I confirmed once again that this friend is extraordinary,” while Park Jung-hyun expressed her admiration, saying, “It feels like she deceived her age,” and added, “She looked incredibly excited while singing. Don’t forget that feeling, that emotion, that joy; Seo Hee’s secret weapon lives within that happiness,” providing heartfelt feedback that moved everyone.
Lee Jun presented his new song ‘Our Season’. Since Round 1, he had captivated listeners with his nostalgic acoustic guitar and comfortable tone, and he concluded his final stage with his unique charm and stability. GroovyRoom’s Park Kyu-jeong praised him, saying, “The balance is the best. A hexagonal character,” and added, “Please send me a DM. I want to work with you separately.” Jung Jae-hyung also made Lee Jun happy with his comment, “Do you want to work with me too?”
The final stage was Seo Samuel. Advancing to the Final Round 2 due to a critical mistake by Vincent Blue in the Final Round 1, Seo Samuel stated, “This stage is dedicated to Vincent Blue. I stand here with a great sense of responsibility,” and performed his new song ‘Life’. Seo Samuel showcased a performance that felt more like a concert than a competition, with an undeniable ease stemming from his impressive career. Park Kyu-jeong called it “a perfect finale,” while Lee Seok-hoon expressed satisfaction, saying, “With this level of quality, I’d pay to see it. It felt like I watched Seo Samuel’s drama.”
On this day, the final ranking was determined by combining the scores of ‘TOP Listeners’ and ‘Special Listeners’ in a 4:6 ratio. It was important how much the ‘Special Listeners’ were moved, just as much as the scores from the ‘TOP Listeners’. As a result, Kim Ui-seo placed 5th, Seo Hee 4th, Lee Jun 3rd, Seo Samuel 2nd, and Kim Ye-chan became the long-awaited winner.
Regarding Kim Ye-chan’s victory, Lee Seok-hoon remarked, “It’s not easy to be the first to take the stage and come in 1st place, but he truly earned it with his skill.” Winner Kim Ye-chan expressed, “I’m so happy to have received confirmation that my belief of ‘Eventually, I will shine through this time’ is correct. I will work hard to sing for others and for myself in the future,” revealing his overwhelming emotions, while both ‘TOP Listeners’ and ‘Special Listeners’ gave him a round of applause.
The high-quality performances of the 76 cover singers who fiercely competed to turn ‘someone else’s song’ into ‘my song’ provided a treat for the viewers' ears, and those who stepped onto the stage, from powerful influencers to rookie cover singers, made their names known through ‘Undercover’, promising a bright future as artists.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
