The new audition series bows Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. KST, and in an unusual flex, its first episode will run a full two hours and 40 minutes.
Built around the songs that scored our lives, "The Ballad of Us" hunts for the fresh voices of 2025 to reimagine the ballads that defined past eras. Contestants ― averaging just over 18 years old ― tackle legendary hits and under-the-radar gems, promising cross-generational goosebumps. With the extended launch, viewers will get a deeper look at colorful stages and backstories spanning everything from classic ’80s and ’90s ballads to signature sounds of the 2010s and 2020s.
Adding to the buzz is a collective-audition twist: a 150-member panel of music pros and savvy fans ― a “Top-Ear” squad ― combs through the hopefuls to uncover diamonds in the rough. Notables on the panel include 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.
Behind the scenes, an A-list creative team is in place: executive producer Park Sung-hoon and director Jung Ik-seung ("K-pop Star"); writer Mo Eun-seol of Netflix’s 2024 global hit "Culinary Class Wars"; and director Ahn Jung-hyun of "My Little Old Boy." With audition powerhouse SBS joining forces with K-pop bellwether SM Entertainment and leading management company SM C&C, expectations are high.
"The Ballad of Us" premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. KST on SBS ― with a bold 160-minute launch to match its ambitions.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)