‘Sing Again 4’ Round 2: Authenticity, Epic Battles, and Genre-Bending Performances Earn Rave Reviews
JTBC's 'Sing Again - Unknown Singers Season 4' (hereafter 'Sing Again 4') delivered profound emotions to viewers with its second-round team competition, broadcast on the 11th. The episode featured diverse performances that reinterpreted timeless hit songs, offering more than just a competition.
The intense, closely matched battles, harmonies transcending generations, and the passion of unknown singers returning to the stage simultaneously evoked thrilling dopamine rushes and heartwarming感動 (gamdong - deep emotion).
Specifically, the 'Team Battle of Era-Defining Hit Songs' in Round 2 saw songs representing eras from the 1970s to the 2010s reborn with the contestants' unique musicality, providing a richer viewing experience.
The contestants united through their genuine passion for music, transcending age and career differences. In the 2000s battle, contestants #46 and #52 delivered a moving harmony across generations with Insooni's 'Father.' The 'Avian Alliance,' formed by 'Indie Archaeopteryx' #51 and 'Fledgling' #37, received rave reviews for their reinterpretation of Lee Juck's 'Finding the Sea' in their own style.
The unpredictable 'big matches' meticulously crafted by the judges also provided immense entertainment for the viewers. Taeyeon expressed her agony, saying, "I feel like I'm aging in real-time," while judge Yim Jae-bum exclaimed, "What should we do? How can we decide?" unable to hide his admiration for the phenomenal performances. In the 1990s 'All Again' showdown, the 'Gamdasal' team (#18 and #23) perfectly executed Kim Hyun-chul's 'Why Are You Like That,' and the 'Ppidaggideul' team (#19 and #65) delivered Kang San-ae's 'Bent Out of Shape' with their unique flair, creating an epic showdown.
Jazz, punk rock, and crossover genres were reborn on the 'Sing Again 4' stage. #9 and #74 infused jazz into Yoo Yeol's 'The Glamorous Days Are Gone,' while #2 and #73 delivered a shocking fresh take on Lee So-ra's 'The Wind Blows' with a punk rock arrangement. Furthermore, #26 and #70 impressed with a crossover performance of 'The Thorns,' fusing Joseon-pop and rock, showcasing the essence of genre fusion.
The performances by the additional qualifiers from Round 1 were also remarkable. #17 and #67 transformed Lee Eun-ha's 'Night Train' into a musical, eliciting an explosive audience response. #25 and #61, along with #57 and #44, showcased their distinct vocal colors, proving their prowess as talented vocalists with performances of 'That Time When It Wasn't Like My Heart' and 'All I Can Give You Is Love,' respectively. Judge Lee Hae-ri praised #57 as an "human air purifier," showering her with compliments.
Korean netizens have flooded online communities with praise, commenting things like, "The contestants are all so good, the judges must be having a really tough time," "Every performance is legendary. I'm looking forward to each episode even more!" and "I cry my eyes out watching every time." They are highly commending the exceptional quality of 'Sing Again 4'.