Episode 2, airing tonight at 9 p.m. KST, finally reveals the singer behind the pre-release “Never Ending Story” clip that’s been heating up not just the studio but the internet, racking up a combined 7.04 million views across short-form platforms.
Round 1 continues under the theme “My First Ballad,” and one contestant―whose old school-day singing video topped 6 million views and even drew interest from major labels―takes center stage, instantly locking in the Top Ears’ attention.
Choosing Boohwal’s “Never Ending Story,” the contender delivers a powerhouse, heart-tugging vocal that leaves eyes glistening across the panel. Park Kyung-lim can’t hold back her tears, and Jung Jae-hyung marvels, “It felt like watching Kim Yuna skate live on stage,” stoking even more curiosity about the vocalist turning the set into a sea of emotions.
Audition-show superfan Cha Tae-hyun also gets a spotlight moment for his razor-sharp instincts. Keeping a close watch on one performer, he offers an unfiltered take that the Top Ears quickly rally behind―prompting Jung Jae-hyung to say, “That was seriously incisive,” and earning praise from Crush as well.
Elsewhere in the first round, a charismatic contestant draws buzz after MIMI predicts he’ll be catnip for older female fans. Said to resemble MeloMance’s Kim Min-seok and actor Cha Tae-hyun, he even wins points for his speaking voice―sending expectations soaring for what he’ll bring to the stage.
With an average age of 18.2, the lineup is poised to own Tuesday night. “The Ballad of Us” airs tonight (Sept. 30) at 9 p.m. KST on SBS, with an extended 140-minute episode.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)