Shin Dong-yeop, a 33-year Veteran MC who drew attention by expressing gratitude for being rehired on the completely revamped 'King of Singers 3', shared vivid on-site news and viewing points in a written interview ahead of the first broadcast.
MBN's King of Singers 3, which premieres at 9:50 p.m. on the 23rd, is a national representative selection survival music variety show in which top-tier active singers by genre in Korea — not just the trot TOP7 — gather and engage in fierce battles for the Taegeuk mark.
Shin Dong-yeop led seasons 1 and 2 of King of Singers, where Korea's top active singers competed fiercely, with his trademark Live Up to Your Name hosting, and played a major role in establishing King of Singers as an overwhelming national variety show that recorded 12 consecutive weeks at No. 1 across all Tuesday programs on terrestrial, generalist cable and cable combined. In King of Singers 3, Shin Dong-yeop is expected to once again unleash his trademark "Dong-yeop-shin" abilities and sweep Korea with another King of Singers craze.
Q1. A remark you made in the King of Singers 3 opening stage — "I'm grateful that the MC hasn't changed" — became a topic after appearing in articles. After seasons 1 and 2 and now season 3 as MC, what are your thoughts and determination?
After more than 30 years in broadcasting, this is my first time hosting a survival program. Unlike other variety shows with scripts, it was very different because the participants' passes and eliminations unfold realistically and I have to improvise according to the situation. I find myself tense at every recording, and I think this unscripted tension and emotion are exactly why King of Singers is loved. As it is the third season, I heard the production team changed many things except the MC to give new tension and twists. I will do my best this season as well.
Q2. King of Singers 3 features top-tier active singers from various fields in addition to the trot category. With the expanded genres, the atmosphere on set must have changed a lot compared with before.
Every season there have been participants who surprised viewers with "Is this active singer appearing?" This season has many even more surprising participants. I feel King of Singers has established itself as a fierce competition stage where active singers from various genres showcase their skills beyond just trot contests. Perhaps because active singers from diverse genres have come out in large numbers, the music has become much more varied and rich. As the host of King of Singers, another delight is the emotion of discovering great songs, and in that respect this season's emotional impact has become much stronger.
Q3. Famous active singers such as Cha Ji-yeon, Stephanie, Bae Da-hae, Kan Mi-yeon and Solji announced their appearances on King of Singers 3. Was there a performer whose appearance surprised you most?
In fact, I have seen these active singers once or twice on other music programs. They are people who truly live up to their names in their fields. Seeing such active singers appear on King of Singers as ordinary contestants creates completely new expectations. In particular, although I have occasionally seen Cha Ji-yeon sing on other music programs, I had no idea she was interested in trot. Her presence alone was powerful, and I felt Cha Ji-yeon was nervous when she sang in front of the judging panel. Not only Cha Ji-yeon but the active singers newly challenging trot this time make me, as the host, look forward to what new potential they will unleash in trot.
Q4. The newly introduced "Witch Hunt" in King of Singers 3 is a hot topic. Since it shares the same name as the variety show "Witch Hunt" you once hosted, it must have felt especially distinctive. What are your thoughts?
When I heard the preliminary round would be called "Witch Hunt," I thought, "What kind of trick is this?" I was surprised that the judging panel allowed such a bold title. Because it is a shocking judging method that freezes the site in an instant, the participants were probably the most shocked. But once you understand the purpose of "Witch Hunt," you'll think there is no more suitable preliminary rule. I hope this "Witch Hunt" becomes a green light for viewers.
Q5. Although you are a 33-year Veteran MC, I heard you were put in your place by the "witch judging panel" who judged the Witch Hunt preliminaries. How would you describe the special atmosphere of the witch judging panel?
Each member of the witch judging panel is a person with an amazing character and career. Bringing such people together as a group, not just one by one, created a tense atmosphere in the recording studio in an instant. I felt the participants who sang under that atmosphere were remarkable. Impressively, the witches judged "as is" and "raw," without any consciousness of what is commonly called broadcasting. Thanks to that, a preliminary round never seen before was born. Please look forward to the witches' performances and the participants' struggles not to be outdone.
Q6. The King of Singers 3 TOP7 will also represent Korea in the "Korea-Japan King of Singers" competition. What kind of national representative TOP7 would you like to see selected in King of Singers 3?
This King of Singers is preparation for the third Korea-Japan King of Singers. I feel that with each iteration the musical scope of the Korea-Japan King of Singers has broadened greatly. Since the goal is musical exchange between Korea and Japan, I hope a TOP7 of active singers with even stronger musical potential emerges from both countries.
Q7. As an MC, what viewing points would you highlight for King of Singers 3?
It's an unpredictable development. While recording, as a host there are quite a few moments when I think, "Can this be allowed?" King of Singers may be the embodiment of real developments and twists. I can feel that the production team and participants are giving their all this season too. If you want unpredictable twists and the emotion music brings, be in front of the TV at 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday!
The production team said, "Shin Dong-yeop is now an indispensable symbolic presence on King of Singers," and asked viewers to "look forward to Shin Dong-yeop's performance this season as he soothes and calms participants frozen with tension with his unique sensibility and smoothly runs the set."
[Photo] Provided by Crea Studio
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