K-music audition show 'Sing Again' highlights soulful talent

Television

Published: 13 Feb. 2024, 15:39

K-music audition show 'Sing Again' highlights soulful talent

Singer-songwriter Hong Isaac, right, is the winner of the third season of the music audition show “Sing Again” on JTBC, while So Soo-bin comes in second on the show. [PARK JONG-KEUN]

Music is everywhere, but only a handful of songs really touch peoples' hearts. Society might be addicted to mass-produced songs, but these songs often leave as quickly as trends come, without leaving a lasting impression.

But the recent music audition show “Sing Again” on JTBC proved that many people are still thirsty for original, soulful music. For the final episode, 600,000 text message votes poured in from viewers rooting for their favorite singers, and tickets for a concert featuring the major contestants of the third season sold out within 10 minutes. Of all the competitors, Hong Isaac and So Soo-bin were especially popular. The pure voices of the two young men who sang with nothing but acoustic guitars was captivating enough to grab viewers' attention.

With the show's subtitle of “Battle of the Unknown,” “Sing Again” is intended to shine the spotlight on obscure or forgotten musicians who had failed thus far to steal the limelight. Contestants were only referred to by number before entering the top 10. Hong was contestant No. 58 while So was No. 49.

Down to the last episode on Jan. 18, there was hardly any dramatic tension as it aired because of the overwhelming popularity of Hong, the winner, and So, the runner-up. Video clips of Hong and So encouraging online voting were shown before the final episode, and the numbers of views and likes their clips received were far higher than those of other participants.

In the final match, Hong’s voice cracked and he sang off-pitch, but he still managed to get more votes than So from viewers, enabling Hong to win even though he received lower points from the judges. That was the only real excitement in the final episode.

“What’s important here is that listeners found their favorite singers [through the show]. High scores from the judges can make you feel good for a while, but that’s it. They don’t mean that much afterward,” So said.

Hong Isaac, the winner of music competition show “Sing Again” [PARK JONG-KEUN]

Hong said, “I think I was complacent and arrogant when the show was nearing its end. I thought to myself [when I made the mistake], I still have a long way to go.”

The highlights of the season were in rounds 2 and 5, when both Hong and So competed against each other. The two said they could develop a friendship through the competition.

“I picked him as my partner in round 5. People who supported me didn’t like my decision, but looking back, it was the right choice. I believe I learn when I’m faced with difficulty. And I did. I eventually lost to him [in round 5], and it made me go to the consolation match, but it was the most precious experience in my career. I was so focused on the moment that I felt like I was possessed,” So said.

Hong has different memories from round 5.

“To be honest, I wanted to avoid the match,” Hong said with a laugh. “At first, I wondered why he was giving me such a hard time, but I found myself not thinking about Soo-bin and focusing on things I could do at that moment. I think this is the essence of this show. You are eager to win, but the show makes you concentrate on your music.”

Hong was a force to be reckoned with, not only to So but also to other participants. He gained recognition earlier when he appeared in another music competition show “Superband” in 2019.

“I had a lot of worries as I entered my mid-30s. I was known among some music fans, but my bank account was empty. I was also anxious about not having my own color.

“You can keep growing if you have your own color and style like Soo-bin, but I was only after fame so I needed a breakthrough and decided to try my luck at ‘Sing Again,” Hong said.

“I didn’t want to care about what others think of me. I wanted to push myself to the limits. I was willing to begin again from the point where I fell and was ready to give it my all,” Hong said.

Since the local music industry heavily revolves around K-pop boy bands and girl groups, indie musicians struggle to gain a footing. Hongdae, short for Hongik University and often used to refer to the surrounding area, served as the home to indie musicians, but not anymore — meaning they needed to find a market for themselves.

So Soo-bin, runner-up of the music competition show “Sing Again” [PARK JONG-KEUN]

“I’m timid, so I couldn’t dare to sign up for an audition show. I was afraid of exposing myself on a TV show. I was content with a small number of people listening to my music, but looking at the number of listeners decreasing, I realized I needed a reality check. Thanks to ‘Sing Again,’ I was able to move on to the next chapter,” So said.

Both Hong and So say they were able to rediscover themselves through “Sing Again.” Unlike other singing competition shows, in which production teams take the lead, contestants in “Sing Again” have the liberty to plan each performance.

“Only the ones who can stick to their styles survive until the last round. We had to choose what to sing and how to rearrange the songs. Those two were the most necessary skills I needed for the show,” Hong said.

“I chose a very popular song one time, but So chose ‘Try Again,’ which was not a good fit for this kind of competition. But I was amazed by his choice. Looking at him, I thought I needed that kind of mindset. He could have been eliminated because of the song, but he stuck to his style. That kind of spirit can make you go on and on,” Hong said.

“Sing Again” made So push his limits.

“The funny thing was that I knew my limits but I kept pushing myself and exerted a superpower at one point,” So said.

Hong keeps saying that he doesn’t have his color and style, but rather he has a voice that speaks to the hearts of listeners.

Having grown up in the nature of Papua New Guinea with his missionary parents, Hong thinks his childhood memories influences his music in some ways.

“I used to ride this sturdy rubber boat for four hours along the river. It was so much fun to ride the boat and come across falls and rapids. I used to play barefoot and was a member of a brass band. Those memories have become my mental and emotional foundations,” Hong said.

So, who turns 30 this year, still looks like a high schooler, but he is confident in his music. “My finger got stuck in a wardrobe when I was nine so I had to cut my finger off, but I never doubted whether I could learn guitar or not with this hand,” he said.

He taught himself to play guitar. “I was ashamed of my short finger when I was young, but now I take pride in it.”

Scenes from JTBC's ″Sing Again″ featuring So Soo-bin and Hong Isaac [JTBC]

There were moments when Hong and So each considered giving up on music, but they say they were able to come this far thanks to the support of their friends and families.

“My contract went wrong in my first [entertainment] company and I couldn’t pursue my music career for about seven years. I eventually decided to stop singing, but my friends held my hand and helped me release an album. I sang ‘Try Again’ for that reason. I wanted to sing a song that could reach people who are like me so they can get back on their feet,” So said.

Hong was also lost in his 20s.

“When I was in my 20s, my range was narrow and my face was crooked because I had severe jaw problems. I didn’t want to stand on stage. I studied at Berklee College of Music so I couldn’t ask for financial support from my family, either. When I was at a dead end, I got a sponsorship and was able to have surgery. My vocal range improved after the surgery. I’d never had someone compliment my appearance before I was 30.

“My face and vocal cords were given by people who helped me, so I should work harder in that sense,” Hong said.

Throughout the whole show, Hong and So talked about their yearning for music that can represent themselves, since they used to sing songs from other musicians.

Their new chapter starts now.

“I still have a lot to show you. I’m good at jazz and blues. I also like to perform on a large-scale stage,” So said.

“I gave my all for each stage, so I have nothing to show you,” Hong said. “Now I have to put my stories into new songs. I have a long way to go.”

BY YOO JOO-HYUN [kjdculture@joongang.co.kr]