Billed as a fresh spin on the audition format, “The Ballad of Us” asks a new generation to reimagine the ballads that scored our lives―those you and I once called “our song.” Rather than another straight genre survival, the show leans into collective taste with a crowd-powered twist.
Enter the “Top 100 Ears,” a motto-driven panel built on the idea that “the top ears are always right.” From seasoned music pros to everyday listeners with sharp instincts, they’ll be on site to surface standout voices through collective intelligence. A representative slate spans a wide spectrum, including Jung Jae-hyung, Cha Tae-hyun, Choo Sung-hoon, Jun Hyun-moo, Park Kyung-lim, Danny Koo, Crush, Jung Seung-hwan, and MIMI of OH MY GIRL―each bringing a distinct lens and chemistry to the room.
The series also introduces a signature ranking, the “The Ballad of Us Top 100” chart. Built from a large-scale nationwide poll conducted by a professional research firm, the list promises undeniable classics―songs that can spark memories from the very first line.
At its heart, the show centers not on win-at-all-costs suspense but on moving performances and real stories from contestants with an average age of 18.2, bridging generations in the process. During the first-round taping, people in the studio were reportedly moved to tears as contestants intertwined their stories with song.
“This isn’t just a ballad audition―we wanted to say something more,” says PD Jung Ik-seung. “Through the power of music, we chose listening over competing and focused on hearing today’s young voices. The result was a stage with an average age of 18.2 that had the room in tears and on its feet. We’re working to deliver that same emotion to both parents and their kids at home.”
Carrying on SBS’s lineage of flagship music auditions, “The Ballad of Us” is led by "K-pop Star"s CP Park Sung-hoon and PD Jung Ik-seung, joined by writer Mo Eun-seol of Netflix’s 2024 global hit "Culinary Class Wars" and PD Ahn Jung-hyun of "My Little Old Boy." In partnership with SM Entertainment and SM C&C, the large-scale project aims to nurture breakout talent discovered on air, with continued support from top agencies even after the finale―drawing keen interest across TV and the music industry alike.
“The Ballad of Us” premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. KST on SBS.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)