ONEWE, who transformed into rascals on 'Immortal Songs', made everyone dance, including Oh Eun-young, and enjoyed the joy of final victory.
The 731st episode of 'Immortal Songs' aired on the 15th (directed by Park Hyung-geun, Kim Hyung-seok and Choi Seung-beom, hereafter 'Immortal Songs') was part 2 of the 'Celebrity special Oh Eun-young' and featured five acts — Jadu, Ali, Eun Ga-eun & Park Hyun-ho, Nam Sang-il & Kim Tae-yeon, and ONEWE — who took the stage in turn to sing and comfort through Oh Eun-young's life songs. As a result, the 731st episode of 'Immortal Songs' recorded a nationwide rating of 5.4% (Nielsen Korea, households), maintaining first place in its time slot and demonstrating strong power.
Jadu opened the second part. Choosing Kwon Jin-won's 'If you live long enough' — a classmate of Oh Eun-young's — Jadu confessed, "I want to sing about life," and began the song. At first, she conveyed the song's philosophical message with a calm, mature tone, then reversed the mood after the midpoint and unleashed her distinctive buoyant charm. Jadu delivered emotion with a performance that added her own interpretation shaped by life's pains.
Ali was called second and sang Cho Yong-pil's 'I wish it would be like that now', stirring Oh Eun-young's fandom. Ali simultaneously showcased delicate vocals and explosive high notes along with rising emotion, deeply piercing the original song's message. With her characteristic appeal, Ali conveyed the lyrics' meaning to the panel of song experts and offered the essence of comfort. Ali received 409 votes and took the winner's seat.
Next, Eun Ga-eun & Park Hyun-ho, a married couple, took the third stage with Kim Dong-ryul's 'Gratitude'. Announcing a special event during the performance, they presented a duet filled with love and thankfulness. As the performance reached its peak, an ultrasound photo of a baby appeared behind the stage, and the message "We will raise it well with grateful hearts" moved the audience. The meaning behind choosing 'Gratitude' as the song — that it was about a baby — brought emotion throughout the stage. The couple, who announced they were expecting a second child, received 412 votes, overtaking Ali to sit in the winner's seat.
For the fourth performance, Nam Sang-il & Kim Tae-yeon sang Na Hoon-a's 'Ball'. Their rendition of 'Ball' was a stage that properly showcased the appeal of our traditional sound. The two's rich tones and powerful singing technique harmonized, creating a blend that captured the beauty of gugak. The stage arrangement, in which they supported and led each other's voices, showed a structure moving forward toward the future, highlighting Korean sensibility and narrative. Eun Ga-eun & Park Hyun-ho secured more votes than Nam Sang-il & Kim Tae-yeon, earning their second win.
ONEWE closed part 2 with Sanulrim's 'Rascal'. As they had said, "Today we'll be golden kids," an actual children's band appeared and storytelling recreated the ONEWE members' childhoods. Transforming into rascals with 'Rascal', ONEWE joyfully showcased 'healing and liberation' through lively and dynamic band sound. Oh Eun-young also stood up and danced, sending the atmosphere into a climax.
At the end, Oh Eun-young said, "For me, this position is grateful and an honor. I feel 'I should work harder.' I will work harder to be by your side," expressing her thanks and receiving applause.
The final winner that day was ONEWE with 420 votes. ONEWE ran across the stage holding the children. Oh Eun-young presented the trophy to ONEWE and warmly embraced the children who shared the stage, creating a heartwarming moment.
Meanwhile, part 2 of the 'Celebrity special Oh Eun-young' expanded the stage's meaning by combining performances that musically unpacked life's worries and attitudes, including a rediscovery of the "human Oh Eun-young." Reviews say Oh Eun-young and the performers together offered genuine 'comfort' and 'healing' through the medium of music and performance.
'Immortal Songs', which creates legendary videos you want to watch again each episode, is broadcast every week at 6:05 p.m. on KBS2.
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