‘Jeju Girl’ Lee Ye-ji Crowned Winner of ‘Uri-deul-ui Ballad’ in Emotional Finale

‘Jeju Girl’ Lee Ye-ji has clinched the championship trophy on SBS’s ‘Uri-deul-ui Ballad’.

In the live finale held on the 2nd, Lee Ye-ji chose Yoon Jong-shin’s ‘Oreuramgil’ (The Uphill Road) and secured the top spot with a perfect score of 10,000 points. The final score was an aggregate of 40% from on-site judging, 55% from real-time text voting, and 5% from pre-event app voting.

Lee Ye-ji captivated the studio with her signature husky vocals and emotionally charged performance, conveying every nuance of ‘Oreuramgil’. Following her earlier performance dedicated to her father who raised her alone in Jeju, she once again delivered a powerful message of growth and resilience, completing her narrative through song.

After her performance, tears welled up among the judges. Cha Tae-hyun commented, “I cried again thinking of her father. Her filial piety was so moving. I hope she becomes a great singer with this heart.” Jung Jae-hyung also praised, “Today’s ‘Oreuramgil’ performance will be remembered just as long as ‘For You’.”

Upon the announcement of her victory, Lee Ye-ji broke down in tears on stage. Her father, watching from the audience, shed tears of joy with his daughter. Lee Ye-ji expressed her gratitude with a trembling voice, “Thank you for being curious about my future uphill road, and thanks to my dad for always supporting me. I'm also thankful to my fellow contestants and the band members.”

Meanwhile, the TOP6 of ‘Uri-deul-ui Ballad’ will embark on a nationwide concert tour, kicking off on January 10th at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House.

Netizens praised Lee Ye-ji's powerful vocals and emotional delivery, with many commenting on the touching moment she shared with her father. The overwhelming sentiment was one of anticipation for her future career.