‘Our Ballad’ Sees First Elimination: Jo Eun-se Fails to Pass, Cha Tae-hyun Cites 'Taste Difference'

SBS's new music audition program, ‘Our Ballad’, has premiered, and with it, the show’s first elimination.

Twenty-three-year-old contestant Jo Eun-se was the first to be eliminated, leaving the competition. Jo Eun-se had already garnered significant attention online, showcasing a subway performance video with 2.21 million views and a duet with his guitarist father that reached 5.5 million views. Upon seeing the father-son duet, judge Jung Jae-hyung praised, "Your father's voice is amazing. He's the one who should pass."

Despite delivering a rendition of BIGBANG's ‘If You’ with a calm and distinct tone, Jo Eun-se could not secure enough votes to advance. He received 98 out of 100 possible votes, narrowly missing the mark. Cha Tae-hyun, who did not press his button, visibly expressed his regret.

Cha Tae-hyun explained, "You performed very well, but it felt like a performance we've seen many times before. It's a style that's frequently seen on YouTube. It's purely a matter of taste, and there's no doubt about your skills," offering comfort to Jo Eun-se. Jun Hyun-moo added, "We, the 'Top 100 Killers,' might have felt that there wasn't that one decisive moment you're looking for."

Jo Eun-se had already gained significant public recognition through his high-viewership videos on social media. It was also revealed that his father possesses remarkable musical talent, hinting at a strong familial predisposition for artistry. Although his elimination was unfortunate, his vocal abilities and emotional delivery left a lasting impression on many viewers.