Jeju's Own Lee Ye-ji Moves Cha Tae-hyun to Tears with Soulful Rendition of 'For You'

SBS's new music audition show, 'Uri-deurui Ballad' (Our Ballad), kicked off its broadcast, immediately capturing the audience's attention.

The program features a unique system where over 100 out of 150 contestants, known as 'Top Baek Gwi,' must press the 'pass' button for a contestant to advance. Host Jun Hyun-moo highlighted the young average age of the participants, noting it was 18.2 years old.

During the first preliminary round, a diverse range of contestants, including early admission KAIST student Lee Jun-seok (19), YouTuber Song Ji-woo (18), and 'K-pop Star' alum Chun Beom-seok (21), presented their unique takes on ballads.

However, it was Lee Ye-ji (19), a young woman from Jeju Island, who garnered the most significant attention. Lee Ye-ji revealed she moved to Seoul from Jeju to further her musical studies. She chose to perform Lim Jae-beom's classic hit 'Neo-reul Wihae' (For You).

She explained that the song holds deep personal meaning, as it was frequently played during her commutes with her father, who worked in the delivery business. Lee Ye-ji shared how the melody evokes vivid memories of Jeju's landscapes and her father driving. Her husky yet emotive voice filled the studio, leaving a profound impact.

Actor Cha Tae-hyun, known for his stoicism, was visibly moved to tears by Lee Ye-ji's performance. He expressed his astonishment, stating, "It's so funny. The image of my father driving reminded me of myself. I wondered if my daughter felt the same way. I struggled so hard to hold back my tears. It was truly amazing."

Lee Ye-ji's performance earned the highest score of the night, 146 votes, marking a spectacular start for the show. Mimi commented on the sense of liberation the song evoked, while Crush praised her unique style and the inspiration she provided for his own musical journey.

Lee Ye-ji, originally from Jeju Island, relocated to Seoul to pursue advanced musical training. Her rendition of 'For You' was deeply personal, intertwined with memories of her father. The broadcast has sparked considerable interest in Lee Ye-ji's heartfelt story and her powerful vocal talent.