New Show ‘Our Ballad’ Revives Nostalgic K-Ballads with a Twist
Ballads are getting their moment in the K-pop spotlight, and SBS is turning up the volume. Their new audition program ‘Our Ballad’ shines a gentle (yet dramatic) light on Korea’s most beloved emotional tracks—this time, reimagined by fresh voices. Premiering on September 23, the show teams up top entertainers and musicians to rediscover classics and discover the K-ballad stars of tomorrow.
A Dive into Korea’s Musical Memory Banks
The concept? ‘Our Ballad’ isn’t just a singing competition—it’s a shared love letter to the ballads that defined generations. Expect tearjerkers, goosebumps, and spontaneous singalongs as we revisit the emotional core of K-music through a Gen Z lens. The average age of contestants? Just 18.2 years. The nostalgia hit? 100.
The goal is simple: unearth a voice that can breathe new life into the songs everyone in Korea knows by heart. These aren’t just karaoke favorites—they’re chart-toppers from a time when CDs still reigned and first loves were soundtracked by emotional piano riffs.
Meet the Ballad Dream Team
Jun Hyun-moo, known for his quick wit and variety show chops, joins the show alongside beloved emcee Park Kyung-lim, mellow-voiced artist Crush, and Mimi from OH MY GIRL. Together, they’re more than just judges—they’re ballad evangelists.
The show’s teaser videos are already making buzz online, featuring intimate clips of these stars revisiting their favorite melancholic melodies. Think Jun Hyun-moo hanging upside down on Pilates equipment while singing Basis’s ‘If You Know a Good Person, Introduce Me,’ or Crush serenading his dog with Sung Si-kyung’s ‘Two People.’
Yes, That Was a Ballad on a Wine Farm
Let’s talk standout teaser moments:
- Danny Koo belts out Kim Kwang-seok’s mellow classic ‘Become Dust’ in the middle of a California vineyard. Sunlight and sentiment, anyone?
- Park Kyung-lim teams up with musical actors Lee Ji-hoon and Kim Da-hyun for a jaw-dropping live performance of Yada’s ‘Already a Sad Love.’
- Mimi transforms a humble electric fan into an imaginary mic, bringing infectious energy to Lim Hyun-jung’s ‘Love Is Like Spring Rain, Parting Is Like Winter Rain.’ Spoiler: she cracks up when someone jokes, “Aren’t you drying out in real time?”
Who’s Behind the Scenes?
‘Our Ballad’ boasts a powerhouse production lineup. Producer Park Sung-hoon of K-pop Star fame reunites with Director Jung Ik-seung. The team also includes Moon Eun-seol, the storytelling mind behind Netflix’s hit Black & White Chef, and Ahn Jung-hyun from My Ugly Duckling. Their collective experience across reality, storytelling, and heart-tugging TV is basically the Avengers of Korean entertainment production.
SM Entertainment—the K-pop juggernaut behind artists like EXO and aespa—is also in the mix, collaborating with SBS to set a new benchmark for ballad-focused modern auditions. That’s right: not just idol training. Full-scale emotion training.
Why K-Ballads Make the Perfect Comeback
While K-pop is known for explosive performances and catchy dance tracks, it’s the K-ballads that hold the nation’s emotional core. These are the songs people grow up with, cry to, and sing terribly but earnestly in karaoke rooms (*noraebang*, if you know, you know).
The format of a nostalgic-yet-fresh music competition doubles as both variety show and public therapy session—because nothing hits quite like a 2000s breakup song sung by a 19-year-old discovering heartbreak for the first time.
FAQs
What is ‘Our Ballad’ about?
‘Our Ballad’ is a Korean music audition show that aims to rediscover iconic Korean ballads through auditions by young, aspiring singers. The show blends nostalgia with new talent to find a fresh voice suited for beloved classics.
When does ‘Our Ballad’ air?
The show premieres on September 23 at 9 PM KST on SBS.
Who are the cast and producers of ‘Our Ballad’?
Participants and judges include Jun Hyun-moo, Park Kyung-lim, Danny Koo, Crush, and Mimi from OH MY GIRL. The production team includes acclaimed producers from ‘K-pop Star,’ ‘My Ugly Duckling,’ and Netflix originals.
