Lee Ji-hoon, Runner-up on 'Our Ballad', Asks Kim Kwang-seok, 'Did You See My Performance?'

Lee Ji-hoon, who was the runner-up in SBS's 'Our Ballad', shared his thoughts on the program's conclusion and his future aspirations.

'Our Ballad', a show that garnered attention for its sincere performances by contestants with an average age of 18.2, concluded, leaving a deep impression on viewers.

Lee Ji-hoon, dubbed the '17-year-old bard' who follows in the footsteps of Kim Kwang-seok, introduced himself as someone who 'followed Kim Kwang-seok to the same school.' While he deeply immersed himself in Kim Kwang-seok's music, memorizing all his songs and lyrics, he expressed his ambition to create his own music rather than imitate.

"I want to sing while making eye contact with the audience in a small theater someday," he added.

Born to a Kazakh mother and a Korean father, Lee Ji-hoon infused his music with experiences from his bicultural background. Notably, his performance of Lee Moon-sae's 'Only Her Laughter' in the semi-finals was a tribute to his mother, delivering a touching performance that transcended nationality and language.

Regarding his runner-up achievement, Lee Ji-hoon stated, 'It felt overwhelming not just to achieve the runner-up title, but to recreate a stage I had only imagined in my mind with such high fidelity and have that result recognized with such a high ranking.' He cited the duet stage 'Seo Shi' in the third round as his most memorable moment, sharing, 'When I made eye contact with the participant singing with me, I felt an inexplicable warmth that remains with me.'

He also commented on the numerous comments comparing him to Kim Kwang-seok, Yutaka Ozaki, and Viktor Tsoi, saying, 'Whether it's a coincidence or not, they are all in my top three most respected figures.' To his mother, he conveyed his gratitude, 'Thank you for always believing in me and supporting me.'

To Kim Kwang-seok, he expressed a desire to 'have a long conversation,' adding, 'I'd want to ask if you saw my performances and if it's okay for someone as young as me to carry on your songs.'

Looking ahead, Lee Ji-hoon aims to create 'music like a park bench,' stating, 'I hope people can find solace in their own ways through my music.' He is scheduled to meet fans in a 'Our Ballad National Tour Concert' in 2026, visiting four cities: Seongnam, Daegu, Seoul, and Busan.

Korean netizens reacted enthusiastically to Lee Ji-hoon's runner-up position, with comments like, "His voice is truly amazing," "I was moved throughout his performances," and "He really is like a reincarnation of Kim Kwang-seok."