L1VE WIRE captivated audiences with an authentic stage featuring musicians who love art and music, crossing various genres such as rock, hip-hop, and ballad.
The 7th episode of Mnet's L1VE WIRE, aired on Nov. 1, featured artists like E-sense, Jeon In-gwon, Lee Seung-gi, and Cho Jae-jeong, presenting a unique combination borne out of artist nominations and a surprisingly dynamic stage, offering distinct entertainment. The broadcast recorded a peak viewership of 1.7% (combined Mnet and tvN, based on AGB Nielsen paid households), surpassing its previous best performance, and particularly, it ranked first in real-time ratings among women in their 30s, proving its hot interest.
The first to appear, E-sense, sang "Back in time" and shared a deep bond with the fans. He noted, "'Back in time' is a song I created with the thought of capturing my story during the time when I was pondering why I started music. So I didn't know if people would like this song. Thanks to the hot response, it became a comforting song for me." In response, Jeong Jae-hyung expressed admiration, saying, "This album won two awards at the Korean Popular Music Awards," while Code Kunst conveyed, "I bought this album on the day it was released. On that day, there was such high praise among rappers that one of them said, 'I can't work today. I'm disappointed in myself today.'" E-sense's music encapsulated his own story in the lyrics, resonating deeply with the public and fellow musicians.
The reason E-sense appeared on L1VE WIRE was that it allowed him to finally meet the band Dulcinea's Jeon In-gwon, whom he had dreamed of meeting, through the nomination rule. He expressed, "I cried when I first heard Jeon In-gwon sunbae's 'That's My World.' Music and life are hard to explain with a single song, but if there's only one song to leave on Earth, it would be this one," showcasing his deep respect for Jeon In-gwon.
When Jeon In-gwon started singing "That's My World," Jeong Jae-hyung shared, "Hearing this song feels like a lonely heart is comforted. It seems E-sense's eyes are already a bit red," conveying the emotion. E-sense confessed, "I started music because I liked hip-hop, but every time I looked for the reason, I listened a lot to sunbae's music," indicating that the encounter with Jeon In-gwon would be an unforgettable moment for him. Jeon In-gwon responded, "I'm glad and thankful you nominated me," adding warmth to the interaction. Jeon In-gwon also advised in response to E-sense's question, "Has music ever been uninteresting?" by saying, "I often refer to 'Over the Hill,' and looking from the peak, I realized there are other paths, not just a downhill slope. It's important to make efforts to find new paths without settling." This was a genuine encounter that transcended generations and genres through music.
Next, Jeon In-gwon unexpectedly nominated Lee Seung-gi, leading to a unique talk and stage formation. Lee Seung-gi showcased his capabilities as a singer while performing "Deletion." He lightheartedly said, "I was so happy that Jeon In-gwon sunbaenim still remembers me and nominated me. I'm glad he remembers me as a singer, not as an MC," bringing laughter. It turned out that the two first met in a variety program back in 2017, where Lee Seung-gi acted as MC.
Lee Seung-gi also shared that he has been focusing on his music lately. He mentioned, "I've been reducing my appearances on variety shows and taking time to reflect on myself. When I looked back at what made me excited and happy, it turned out to be music and singing. I'm not someone born with talent; I've been taking vocal lessons and practicing steadily," adding, "My goal is to create a mega hit song that over 90% of people could recognize within 3 seconds within five years."
Plans for the second half of the year were also revealed. Jeon In-gwon stated, "We are doing a national tour for Dulcinea's 40th anniversary," while Lee Seung-gi shared, "I'm currently writing songs, which will take time, but I'll release an album with the songs I create." The two, who reunited after eight years, moved the audience by singing the duet "Spin, Spin, Spin."
Finally, the stage became even richer as Lee Seung-gi nominated Cho Jae-jeong. Cho Jae-jeong left a strong impression performing "Do You Not Know?" Lee Seung-gi remarked, "Cho Jae-jeong's version of 'Do You Not Know?' has made quite a comeback. He has such a charming character that I really wanted to meet him once," he said. Cho Jae-jeong excitedly exclaimed, "I was so happy to be nominated that I shouted. I'm a huge fan of L1VE WIRE, and I'm very grateful to Lee Seung-gi for letting me appear."
Though he has only been in his seventh month since his debut, Cho Jae-jeong made the studio burst into laughter with his humorous talk and unique charm. He commented, "I resemble Hong Yoon-hwa, BMK, and the clock from the animation 'Beauty and the Beast.' For those who know, I'm known as a first-generation plastic surgery figure; in fact, this is my tuned face," making a self-deprecating remark that elicited laughter.
Additionally, when Lee Seung-gi mentioned, "I used to host about 100 talk show episodes, and with 20 guests per episode, nearly 2,000 people have passed through. I have quite a few friends in various fields," Cho Jae-jeong replied, "I also run a jazz bar and have had many visitors, including Samdi, Kim Nam-gil, Lee Min-ho, Ko Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, and my beloved Ju Ji-hoon," engaging in a fun 'network battle.' Particularly, actor Ju Ji-hoon made a surprise appearance via phone call to support Cho Jae-jeong. Ju Ji-hoon introduced himself, saying, "This is Ju Ji-hoon living in Hannam-dong," and demonstrated his singing skills on the spot, showcasing his charming charisma as he captivated the studio with his delightful talk. Cho Jae-jeong expressed his determination, saying, "I'm grateful to Lee Seung-gi, and I will strive to become a wonderful singer who can last long."
On that day, L1VE WIRE gifted the audience with heartfelt stories and stages from artists with different styles and personalities, offering deep empathy and comfort. The broadcast became a special time that reminded viewers once again of the authenticity that music brings and the special bonds formed within it.
Meanwhile, L1VE WIRE is an innovative music variety program that creates special connections between artists and artists, audiences and audiences, as well as between the stage and viewers through 'music', airing simultaneously on Mnet and tvN every Friday at 7 p.m.
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