'Korea-Japan King of Singers Battle' Park Seo-jin vs. Yoo Dai, Ratings Soar Again in Head-to-Head Match.. Peak 6.4% [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

'2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers Battle' contestants delivered thrilling moments from the very first round of the main tournament, marking the official start of the competition.

According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings survey company, the second episode of MBN's '2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers Battle,' broadcast on the 21st, achieved a national viewership rating of 5.2% and a peak rating of 6.4%. It secured the number one spot in the same time slot across all terrestrial, general entertainment, and cable channels, as well as topping all Tuesday variety programs broadcast on all channels.

This episode featured the previously unrevealed results of the preliminary round '100-Second Pre-Show' and the first round of the main tournament, representing the first fateful confrontation between Korea and Japan. First, Gu Su-kyung delivered a powerful high note that seemed to pierce the ceiling with Park Wan-kyu's 'A Thousand Years of Love,' unleashing the hunger of a decade in obscurity and earning 629 points. Vocal powerhouse Tae Ri, who won the 'Japan Record Award' for Best New Artist in 2021 and is a close friend of Hong Ji-yoon, also known as 'Current King of Singers 3,' showcased the charm of Osaka's senior sister with BoA's 'Valenti,' securing 649 points.

Korea's 'Trot Squirrel' Kang Hye-yeon raised the excitement with a crisp rabbit dance to Jin Mi-ryeong's 'Aha' but scored 541 points. Natalia D, born in Mexico but a fan of J-pop who became a Japanese singer, performed Utada Hikaru's 'First Love' and received 585 points. After the '100-Second Pre-Show' stage concluded, Chang Ji-yeon, who scored 652 points, rose to first place, reaffirming her title as the 'Queen of Exploration.'

Following the preliminary '100-Second Pre-Show' warm-up, the main tournament's first round, marking the official start of the Korea-Japan showdown, commenced. Legendary J-pop diva Nakashima Mika, the original artist of the hit song 'Snow Flower' that captured the hearts of both Korean and Japanese audiences, joined as a special judge. Nakashima Mika revealed that she finally bought the sesame oil she had always wanted to try whenever she visited, proving she is a Korean food lover who even loves K-oil, creating a sense of familiarity.

The first round of the main tournament, themed '1-on-1 Improvised Selection Battle,' required contestants to face off against randomly assigned opponents, making the strategic planning of the order a crucial mental battle. Han Guk-tim (Team Lead) Chang Ji-yeon declared, "We seven are no pushovers. We will show you the strength of Korea," while Japanese team captain Tae Ri warned of a fierce attack, stating, "We came from Japan with over 100% momentum, so we are prepared to deliver a knockout blow to Korea," stirring up the.

The first match of the main round, decided solely by votes from the Korea-Japan National Jury, pitted Japan's youngest member Arakawa Karen against Korea's youngest member Lee Soo-yeon. Arakawa Karen delivered a solid soul performance and relaxed stage manner that belied her 15-year-old age with Matsubara Miki's 'Stay With Me,' but Lee Soo-yeon, who transformed Kim Tae-gon's 'Mangbuseok' into a dynamic performance featuring Janggu and fusion Korean traditional music, dominated the atmosphere and secured the win, putting the Korean team ahead.

Next, another pair of teenagers from both teams, Kim Tae-yeon and Azuma Aki, took the stage. Kim Tae-yeon showcased the true essence of her specialty, emotional trot, with Song Ga-in's 'Asadal.' Aki, with Mayama Ichiro's 'Kawachi no Jirocho,' delivered a high-class, soulful performance befitting the trusted Enka goddess, earning admiration. Aki claimed victory, tying the score between Korea and Japan.

To shift the momentum, the Korean team sent out the '90s Strongest Duet,' Gu Su-kyung and Kang Hye-yeon, while the Japanese team countered with 'National First Love' Nagai Manami. Gu Su-kyung and Kang Hye-yeon performed Lee Eun-ha's 'Don't Turn Back' with refreshing harmony and powerful chemistry, while Manami sang KARA's 'Pretty Girl' entirely in Korean, creating a cute and refreshing stage. Despite the contrasting atmospheres of the two teams, the Korean team won, taking a 2-1 lead.

Following this, when the Japanese team's 'King of Singers' Hon Inoue entered, the Korean team countered with 'Eusol' Solji. The two performed contrasting songs chosen by special judge Nakashima Mika in a closely contested battle. Solji proved the reputation of the 'Emotional Diva' with 'Snow Flower,' while Hon Inoue showcased a vocal ability that opened ears and a dynamic performance with 'Glamorous Sky.' Nakashima Mika shared an emotional critique: "These are songs I have sung for over 20 years. It is simply a matter of gratitude that such diverse artists can sing them and convey them across borders. I feel so grateful to both of you that I might shed a few tears." However, Solji received the lowest combined score of 36 points from both Korea and Japan, while Hon Inoue won by a large margin of 128 points, tying the score between Korea and Japan at 2-2.

With the score tied at a critical moment, Yoo Dai and Park Seo-jin stepped up as a special match to support the Korea-Japan Junior TOP7. Yoo Dai first declared, "I will exert enough pressure in the future that people will consider me a senior," while Park Seo-jin responded with a three-line poem: "Yoo Dai, we meet again, and this time I will win," creating a tense atmosphere. Yoo Dai, who selected DAY6's 'You Were Beautiful,' ignited the concert hall with his signature refreshing voice and emotional appeal, while Park Seo-jin left a deep, lingering emotion with Na Hoon-a's 'A Cloud Lying Long After Cutting Through Time.' As befitting the kings of singers, their intense battle ended in a 100-100 tie, with the score ratio between Korea and Japan also identical, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

As the tie continued, 'Advancing Vice-Captain' Chang Ji-yeon appeared, while the Japanese team counterattacked with a duet of Natalia D and Shimokina Hina. Chang Ji-yeon, who had previously declared, "I am a 21-year veteran. I will lightly trample over you with my honed skills," delivered a powerful blow with Choi Jin-hee's 'Heavenly Reunion,' explosively unleashing the poignant emotion of deep ballad trot. Natalia D and Shimokina Hina showcased a fantastic harmony with MASIA's 'Form of Love.' Chang Ji-yeon, who had ranked first in the '100-Second Pre-Show,' secured an overwhelming victory, allowing the Korean team to retake the lead with a 4-3 score.

Finally, 'Korea's King of Singers' Hong Ji-yoon and 'Japanese Team Captain' Tae Ri met again as rivals after being close friends, drawing significant attention. Tae Ri sang Lee Eun-mi's 'I Have a Lover' entirely in Korean, evoking deep emotion through profound expression, while Hong Ji-yoon delivered a moving performance of Jang Yoon-jeong's 'Song-in' by blending Pansori vocal techniques into a passionate rendition. The match ended with Tae Ri's victory, concluding the first round of the main tournament in a draw between Korea and Japan.

Meanwhile, special judge Nakashima Mika presented a special stage with 'When the Pink Dance Begins,' creating a unique experience that united the Korea-Japan TOP7 and the national juries of both countries in shared emotion.

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*This content was translated by AI.