'Sing Again 4' Round 3: Jaw-Dropping Performances Abound; 76, 28, 30, 17, 37, 44 Advance to Round 4

The third-round rival matches on JTBC's 'Sing Again - Unknown Singers Season 4' (hereafter 'Sing Again 4') delivered a series of stunning performances, igniting intense competition among the 24 remaining contestants.

The episode, which aired on the 18th, saw singers showcase their unique musical colors, leaving the audience deeply moved. The broadcast garnered significant attention, with viewership ratings reaching 3.5% nationwide and 3.7% in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea.

Contestant No. 77, holding the highest number of 'Again' votes, chose No. 76 as their rival. No. 77 delivered a dynamic rendition of Lee Juck's 'With You,' surprising the judges by shedding their guitar for a powerful performance. Judges Baek Ji-young and Taeyeon praised the bold change. Meanwhile, No. 76 captivated with Ra. D's 'I'm In Love,' offering a performance that Code Kunst likened to a 'boyfriend-style' charm akin to Eric Nam. Ultimately, No. 76 secured the win.

The next clash featured No. 28 and No. 69, presenting contrasting vocal styles. No. 69 reinterpreted Jo Duk-bae's 'Dream' with a rock ballad feel, receiving mixed reviews from the judges. In contrast, No. 28 performed Do Won-kyung's 'If I Loved You Again,' showcasing a softer side than in previous rounds. Im Jae-bum commended their stable vocals, comparing them to a countertenor, while Code Kunst noted the delicate handling of their voice. No. 28 advanced to the next round with an 'All Again' vote.

In another compelling matchup, No. 67 went head-to-head with No. 30. No. 30's rendition of Kim Hyun-sik's 'My Love By My Side' deeply moved the judges with its poignant vocals, earning praise from Kim Eana for its 'three-dimensional emotion.' No. 67 aimed for a fresh approach with Yangpa's 'Love... What Is That?', but judges Kyuhyun and Lee Haeri expressed reservations about the song choice and arrangement. No. 30 secured their spot in Round 4 with seven 'Again' votes.

Contestants No. 39 and No. 17 faced off with songs that significantly impacted their musical journeys. No. 39 presented Zoo's 'Writing a Letter to a Hazy Autumn Sky,' a performance filled with personal narrative that garnered admiration from Baek Ji-young and Code Kunst. No. 17, showing a strong comeback after a preliminary setback, performed SAAY's 'Talk 2 Me Nice.' Their captivating vocals and stage presence earned a resounding 'Sooo Sexy' from Im Jae-bum. No. 17 clinched their advancement with five 'Again' votes.

The highly anticipated showdown between vocal powerhouses No. 37 and No. 27 lived up to its billing. No. 37 delivered an electrifying performance of NCT DREAM's 'Skateboard,' earning accolades for their masterful control and stage presence. Im Jae-bum retracted his previous 'wet paint' comment from Round 1, praising No. 37 as 'Sooo Sexy.' Kim Eana dubbed them a 'new bomb thrown at Sing Again,' calling it the 'overwhelmingly best stage.' Taeyeon expressed her delight, stating, 'I wanted a crazy person to appear, and they seem crazy.'

No. 27 chose judge Taeyeon's own song, 'Four Seasons,' a daring move that paid off. Their rendition, infused with No. 27's unique color, sent shivers down the spine, deviating significantly from the original. The judges, including Im Jae-bum, found it difficult to choose a winner, with Taeyeon herself humorously lamenting the difficulty of following up such a performance. Yoon Jong-shin and Baek Ji-young lauded No. 27's potential, suggesting a 'major artist has been discovered.' The intense battle resulted in a 4-4 tie, ultimately leading to No. 37 advancing, while No. 27 became a potential elimination candidate.

The final match featured a duel of distinct male vocalists: No. 19 and No. 44. No. 19 reinterpreted Panic's 'Rocinante' with a sensibility reminiscent of Kim Kwang-seok, earning praise from Kim Eana for the arrangement. No. 44 showcased their strengths with Bank's 'The One I Cannot Have,' delivering a performance that Yoon Jong-shin described as 'popping out from the mid-80s,' valuing its analog charm. Kim Eana hailed it as a 'musician's interpretation,' likening it to a completely rewritten story. No. 44 advanced to Round 4 with six 'Again' votes.

Netizens are buzzing about the high-quality performances, with comments like 'This season is full of legendary stages!', 'Nos. 76, 28, and 37 delivered the best performances!', and 'So sad for No. 27, but I hope to see them again!' highlighting anticipation for the next round and regret over eliminated contestants.