MBN’s ‘2025 Korea-Japan King of Kings Competition’ has created explosive tension from the very first meeting of the top 7 contestants from both countries.
The first broadcast of the MBN entertainment program ‘2025 Korea-Japan King of Kings Competition’, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations, will air on September 2 at 9:50 PM. This unique international music competition features the top 7 active kings from Japan and Korea, representing their countries and competing for pride.
As this season is planned in the symbolic year of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations, it is expected to go beyond a simple music competition to include cultural exchanges and a battle for pride between the two nations.
First, the Korean top 7 expressed overwhelming confidence towards the Japanese top 7, stating, “We will show how spicy Korea is,” “You will cry,” and “You are all done!” The Japanese top 7 responded with blatant provocations, saying, “Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to lose?” and “In soccer, baseball, and singing, Japan is strong. We will show that Japan is a step above,” signaling the ‘beginning of war’.
The Korean top 7 then entered the stage with a dazzling aura and overwhelming charisma, instantly taking over the studio. However, the Japanese top 7 soon followed, filling the stage with their imposing presence and sharp gazes, creating an atmosphere of tension so thick that one could hardly breathe. The unpredictable strong confrontation led the Korean celebrity judging panel to recall the ‘2024 Korea-Japan King of Kings Competition’, expressing concerns that “last year we barely won” and “the Korean team doesn’t seem to have it easy this time,” and “this time they are too strong.”
As each member of the Korean top 7 and Japanese top 7 was introduced, the atmosphere in the venue heated up. When the Japanese contestant who drew the loudest cheers from the fans took the stage, the serious expression of Korea’s number one, Park Seo-jin, was captured, and the tension reached its peak. One celebrity judge even commented, “Not a single person is smiling. Everyone is on edge,” conveying the fierce atmosphere of the venue.
Additionally, Korea’s top 1 Park Seo-jin and Japan’s top 1 Yu Dai stepped to the center of the stage to read a declaration, further heating up the atmosphere. As the two declared in Korean and Japanese, “We pledge to do our best for the cultural exchange and friendship between our countries, putting our national honor on the line,” the venue was enveloped in a breathless tension and a thrilling excitement. Daesung, who was watching, said, “My heart is overwhelmed!” while Kangnam remarked, “It’s unbelievable,” emphasizing the weight of the world’s first music national competition.
The fierce rivalry between Korea and Japan, ignited from their first meeting, raises expectations for what dramatic developments will follow, as this is a national competition that goes beyond a simple music contest.
The production team stated, “If the first meeting of the preliminary round is this intense, the stages to come will be filled with unprecedented twists and legendary matches,” urging viewers to “watch until the end for the moment when the musical pride of Korea and Japan collides head-on.”
Meanwhile, the MBN ‘2025 Korea-Japan King of Kings Competition’, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations, will premiere on September 2 at 9:50 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
