Han Roy upsets first perfect scorer Park Ye-seung in 'Our Ballad 2'

Han Roy defeated Park Ye-seung in a Round 2 death match on the SBS audition program 'Our Ballad 2' on the 2nd. The upset saw the first perfect scorer of Round 1 eliminated as the match between Han Roy and Park Ye-seung drove peak viewership ratings to 6.4%.

An unexpected result emerged on the SBS audition program 'Our Ballad 2'. Park Ye-seung, who emerged as a powerful contender after setting an overwhelming record with the first perfect score in Round 1, was eliminated in Round 2. As his opponent, Han Roy, secured victory with a more evolved performance, significant changes are expected in the audition landscape. The harsh reality of the death match was fully revealed, showing that results cannot be guaranteed by skill and records alone.

In the broadcast of the massive SBS audition project 'Our Ballad 2' on the 2nd, the Round 2 1-on-1 death matches took place. While Park Dae-hee and Shin Chae-won first secured their advancement to Round 3, the most anticipated match of the day was the confrontation between Han Roy and Park Ye-seung. Since both contestants had left a strong impression in previous rounds, the result was difficult to predict, maintaining intense tension until the end.

The viewership ratings supported the heated competition. For households in the metropolitan area, Part 1 recorded 4.6% and Part 2 recorded 5.8%, with the peak minute rating soaring to 6.4% during the match between Han Roy and Park Ye-seung. The 2049 viewership rating was 1.4% for both Part 1 and Part 2. According to Nielsen Korea, the program maintained its position as the number one Monday variety show in the 2049 demographic for five consecutive weeks, proving steady interest in the program.

In the first match, Park Dae-hee and Kim Seok-yun faced off under the theme "Lyrics that became poetry." Kim Seok-yun chose Cho Ha-moon's "To You Who Know My Pain" and delivered an acoustic stage accompanied by guitar playing. Jung Seung-hwan gave positive evaluations regarding the emotional expression in the song, but Jung Jae-hyung pointed out a lack of confidence, noting the contestant's somewhat passive attitude on stage. Evaluations continued that confidence to command the stage is as important as delicate sensibility.

Park Dae-hee chose "If You Come Into My Heart," instantly lifting the atmosphere with a cheerful rhythm and relaxed stage presence. He left such a strong impression that he not only drew responses from the audience but also received recruitment offers from Jung Jae-hyung and BIBI. Following the vote, Park Dae-hee secured advancement to Round 3 by receiving 116 votes, surpassing Kim Seok-yun. It was a match where the charm of the song selection and stage command led to the result.

The match between Shin Chae-won and Lee Yu-bin was also difficult to decide. The two reinterpreted masterpieces by so-called "first-generation vocalists" in their own ways. Lee Yu-bin chose the difficult Byun Jin-sub's "You, to Me Again" and handled the song with delicate emotional lines. Shin Chae-won selected Yoon Jong Shin's "Rebirth." She completed a differentiated stage by interpreting the song, which BIBI had previously performed on the SBS audition program 'The Fan', with her own lovely tone and unique singing style.

The early momentum seemed to favor Lee Yu-bin as the 8 representatives of the Top 100 Ears made their choices, putting Shin Chae-won at a disadvantage. However, the result was overturned as Shin Chae-won received more support from the remaining Top 100 Ears. The difference between the two contestants was only 2 votes. With the match decided by an extremely narrow margin, Shin Chae-won smiled at the end and grabbed the ticket to the next round.

The highlight of the broadcast was undoubtedly the confrontation between Han Roy and Park Ye-seung. Power vocalist Han Roy, who earned 145 votes in Round 1, and Park Ye-seung, who set the major record of the first perfect score among contestants, faced off under the theme "Mom's favorite song, Dad's favorite song." One was noted for intense vocal ability, while the other was considered an early title contender due to receiving near-perfect evaluations. Their duel was effectively considered the biggest turning point of this round.

Han Roy, who took the stage first, chose Kang San Ae's "When I Look at You," a song his mother likes. He played the guitar himself, creating a different atmosphere from previous rounds and showing improved capabilities by addressing the points pointed out in previous evaluations. Rather than simply relying on explosive volume, his attempt to harmonize the song's atmosphere with his own way of expression stood out.

Roy Kim offered sincere advice along with a positive evaluation of Han Roy's stage. He encouraged the contestant, who is still in the process of finding his musical color, by saying, "Not all singers start knowing their own voice from the beginning," and telling him not to be discouraged and to steadily continue doing what he can do well. For Han Roy, this stage was not just a challenge for victory, but an opportunity to reconfirm his own potential.

Park Ye-seung selected Roy Kim's "If You Ask Me What Love Is," carrying the meaning of wanting to convey his feelings to his father. Despite the burden of carrying the title of the first perfect scorer in Round 1 and having to sing in front of the original singer, he finished the stage calmly. While Jung Seung-hwan expressed regret regarding the song selection, he highly evaluated Park Ye-seung's talent. He praised the contestant's potential, stating, "You have a talent that seems like it will be unrivaled."

As the skills of the two were evenly matched, the dilemma of the Top 100 Ears deepened. Jung Jae-hyung and one of the general Top 100 Ears could not easily make a decision even after the voting ended, and eventually, additional time was granted. It was a match where it was difficult to determine the advantage of either side. However, after a long wait, the final result revealed Han Roy's victory. Upon the confirmation of Park Ye-seung's elimination, Jung Seung-hwan could not hide his surprise, asking, "How can this be?"

This result once again demonstrated that in audition programs, performance and reputation from previous rounds do not guarantee the next match. Even the record of the first perfect score was not an absolute safety net in a death match. On the other hand, Han Roy completed a dramatic reversal by supplementing his weaknesses based on evaluations from previous stages and proving new possibilities. As the lineup of those advancing to Round 3 has changed, the competition for the championship has become even more unpredictable.

The next episode of 'Our Ballad 2', which increased tension with fierce battles and consecutive upsets, will be broadcast on the 9th at 10 PM.

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