Cha Tae-hyun Breaks Down in Tears on 'Our Ballad' Premiere Amidst Astonishing Performances

SBS's new music audition program, 'Our Ballad,' is set to premiere today, the 23rd.

'Our Ballad' aims to discover new voices for 2025 by reinterpreting classic ballads that hold special memories for listeners. Amidst participants with an average age of 18.2, a panel of 150 'Top 100 Guides' will seek out hidden gems.

The first episode will feature the theme 'The First Ballad of My Life,' with contestants needing to secure over 100 votes from the panel to advance. One participant's rendition of Yim Jae-beom's 'For You,' a song they listened to with their father, captured the attention of the panel with its story and performance. The contestant's powerful vocals and emotional delivery earned a standing ovation from the judges. Notably, Cha Tae-hyun, an avid follower of audition programs, was seen shedding tears, surprising everyone present.

Adding to the excitement, another contestant will challenge the stage with a song by Jung Seung-hwan, a former 'K-Pop Star' contestant and a 'Top 100 Guide' himself. The participant plans to perform Jung's notoriously difficult song 'Same Place,' which even the original artist only performs at concerts, accompanied by piano. Mimi expressed her amazement, stating, 'A master has already come to audition,' and anticipation is high for whether a 'second Jung Seung-hwan' will emerge.

Pre-released videos from 'Our Ballad' have already garnered significant attention, proving the show's immense popularity. The preview clip for Boohwal's 'Never Ending Story' has achieved approximately 2.14 million views on YouTube Shorts and 4.18 million views on Instagram Reels via the SM C&C STUDIO official account, highlighting its viral status. The show premieres today, the 23rd, at 9 PM KST, with an extended 160-minute broadcast.

Cha Tae-hyun is a renowned South Korean actor and entertainer, celebrated for his versatile acting roles and humorous personality on various variety shows. Beyond his acting career, he has also released music, showcasing his talent as a singer. His participation as a judge on 'Our Ballad' promises to bring a unique blend of professional insight and heartfelt empathy to the aspiring vocalists.