"Joo Woo-jae sheds a flood of tears"... Even child actor-turned-star Moon Geun-young joins to appreciate the ballads of 'participants averaging 17.9 years old' [Our Ballad 2] [Comprehensive Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Our Ballad" returns for its second season with participants who are even younger and have improved skills, averaging 17.9 years of age.

The production press conference for the SBS variety program "Our Ballad 2" was held on the morning of the 30th at the SBS Hall in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. PD An Jung-hyun, Jung Jae-hyung, Cha Tae-hyun, Park Kyung-rim, Moon Geun-young, Joo Woo-jae, Roy Kim, and Jung Seung-hwan attended.

"Our Ballad 2" is the second season of "Our Ballad," which swept South Korea in a ballad boom. Participants with an average age of 17.9 years, even younger than in the previous season, are set to showcase stages where they newly reinterpret famous ballads released between 1985 and 2025, demonstrating the power of music that spans all generations.

PD An Jung-hyun stated, "I felt that I could convey the emotion felt by the 150th people on site as is. The broadcast schedule for this season was pushed back by one hour, but we couldn't cut the content. The company allowed us to expand the first episode's broadcast time to two hours and 40 minutes. We will make sure you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of ballads this autumn."

"Our Ballad 2" draws attention with Moon Geun-young serving as a judge. When asked about the reason for her recruitment, PD An said, "Ms. Moon Geun-young used to create jukeboxes and share music during her Psyworld days. I was curious about how she would view the participants. Ms. Moon Geun-young became a top star and entered the entertainment industry at middle school age through the drama 'Autumn in My Heart,' gaining nationwide popularity. She has continuously received national love, and while battling illness, I thought she created a deep world called 'Moon Geun-young.' I believed that when young friends aged 17.9 took the stage, Ms. Moon Geun-young could offer her own interpretation."

Regarding the reason for recruiting Joo Woo-jae as a judge, he explained, "During his WinMP days, he bought equipment to host radio shows and even held concerts with 1,000 listeners. I thought he had his own musical depth and was qualified as a judge." He added, "Music isn't something understood through logic or reason, is it? Although Joo Woo-jae is called 'T,' I thought there would be chemistry between us because of his overflowing sensibility. I was surprised to see him trembling while listening to songs on site, but I felt it was genuine."

The reason for recruiting Roy Kim as a judge was described as follows: "Among our production staff, we call Mr. Roy Kim 'Hanbalhyun' (the present of Korean ballads). We coined that term after seeing his song remain on the charts for 103 consecutive weeks." He continued, "Mr. Roy Kim is the first judge to unexpectedly join our stage, and he clearly showed his desire for the participants to do well."

When asked about the difference between "Our Ballad" and other audition programs, Jung Jae-hyung stated, "Traditionally, rather than picking people who sing well, unlike other audition shows, we tried to support people we liked with our own perspective." He added, "Cha Tae-hyun's sharp tongue is scary. Ms. Park Kyung-rim comforts and consoles the participants like a mother, helping viewers understand and empathize with them."

Cha Tae-hyun confessed, "As we progressed through Season 2, my parental instincts grew stronger, making it hard to give harsh evaluations. The participants seem more upgraded than last year, so I found it difficult to make choices as well." He also said, "The newly joined Joo Woo-jae and Mr. Roy Kim talk a lot. After watching the first episode this time, we will see if we should ask them to speak less. Mr. Joo Woo-jae sheds so many tears that you wonder, 'Is that really tears?'" Jung Jae-hyung added, "Woo-jae is doing method acting."

When asked how he imagined himself at the average age of 17.9 for "Our Ballad" participants, Cha Tae-hyun joked, "I met my wife when I was 17.9, and it was tough." He continued, "Season 2 could happen because there were 'stagnant waters' in Season 1. For Season 3 to come out, Season 2 must also do well."

Park Kyung-rim said that a point of anticipation for "Our Ballad 2" is that "'Our Ballad' is a program where you see someone's beginning. It shows the moment when friends who have no social experience yet present their own songs to others. I am happy to see friends with boundless opportunities ahead." She added, "Special stages unfold, and in Season 2, many precious friends appear to the point where you wonder, 'How can there be so much unpolished jade?'" Park Kyung-rim further remarked, "I don't know how everyone in South Korea sings well except for me."

Moon Geun-young, who has been active in the entertainment industry since her days as a child actor, is appearing on "Our Ballad" as her first variety show in seven years following her marriage to musical theater actor Jung Pyeong last July. She said, "We held our ceremony quietly, but many people congratulated us, making me feel truly loved and like a precious existence to many people. I was very grateful and felt that I should live well." She continued, "The reason I joined 'Our Ballad 2' is that I enjoyed Season 1 so much. When I received the offer, I didn't hesitate and said, 'I will do it.'" Moon Geun-young shared that her husband's encouragement was, "Just do what you usually do well and come back."

Having lived in the entertainment industry since childhood, she said about her thoughts when seeing young participants, "My childhood came to mind at every moment. I remembered how I felt and what I thought when I was young, and I wondered how the participant friends prepared their songs with such feelings. It resonated with me, so I wanted to give them more strength. I wanted to help them wholeheartedly in the areas where they were struggling."

Joo Woo-jae, claiming he knows a lot of music, gave himself the nickname "Joo Jin-mo" after music critic Im Jin-mo. Joo Woo-jae said, "I listened to radio a lot since I was young. Mostly late-night radio, so I learned many behind-the-scenes stories about music. That's why I was called 'Joo Jin-mo' in the modeling industry. But it's an unfounded story. It seems like a stretch to dare use Professor Im Jin-mo's name."

Roy Kim said, "Mr. Joo Woo-jae really suits the nickname 'Joo Jin-mo,'" and added, "I was in the same position (as a participant in a survival program) 14 years ago, and I have also been a judge, but I felt unprepared. What I definitely wanted to try with 'Our Ballad' was to give courage to young friends as they sing with dreams." He stated, "Please support many applicants who appear having grown immensely from the first round to the finals," and added, "I am approaching this with the thought that the ballad genre can continue."

Jung Seung-hwan said a point of anticipation for "Our Ballad 2" is, "I previously greeted you through an SBS audition program and appeared in 'Our Ballad' Season 1 last year. This year, the participants were even younger than last year, and music from eras that are difficult for them to access felt new and moving. I realized that music transcends eras." He added, "The overall level of participants has risen compared to last year. So it was hard to cast a vote."

PD An said, "We feature songs ranging from Yang Hee-eun to Cider Garden. We will deliver magical songs from the 1980s to the 2020s."

"Our Ballad" premieres on October 5 at 10 p.m.

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*This content was translated by AI.