KPOP STAR 4 - Audition Round (Part 1)

Hello everyone! It's the new season! Kyaaa~ I'm seriously excited to meet all the contestants. I will try to do my best in summarizing the list of all the contestants that passed the first round. ^_^

EPISODE 1

♦ Hong Chanmi, 22

She is the 6th child from 7 siblings. She has a passive personality so she don't dare to talk about pursuing music to her family.

(Free loop by Daniel Powter)

[X] JYP  : Your singing just passes over my head like a cloud and doesn't hit me here >>heart.
[X] YG   : It's good at first but after 20 sec, "When is the next part?".
[O] YHY: We should have singers who sing with simplicity like a cloud passing over.

*YHY gave her a WILD CARD

♦ Kwon Hye In, 15, New Jersey

She had performed at Amateur Night at Apollo before and won first place.

(Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys)

[X] YHY: You didn't feel like a pop singer but more like a musical actress.
[X] JYP  : You have to be true to yourself.
[O] YG   : To put it simply, you were pretentious.

*YG gave her WILD CARD

♦ Park Yoon Ha, 16, Seongnam

"I went to the preliminary round without any desire, thinking of it as a good experience. I passed, so I have more desire for singing now". This was her first audition ever.

(Desire and hope by As One)

[O] JYP  : A middle school student can sing well without imitating an adult.
[O] YHY: My heart was pounding as you sang, like a 17-years-old.
[O] YG   : You have a clean(?) voice.

♦ Na Ha-Eun, 6, Daegu

She was the youngest contestant EVER! Aigoo~ Kiyeopta~ "I want to be a singer who sing and dance well". According to her mom, she just want her to have fun on stage and hear the professional's opinions on her daughter's dancing skills.

(Do you want to build a snowman from Frozen OST & Watcha know bout me by Nicki Minaj)

[O] YG   : I'm seeing a miracle right now.
[O] JYP  : Even the adult dancers don't get the backbeat but it's incredible she does.
[O] YHY: It's our first gift to you, you passed.

*JYP asked her to free-styled dance to an impromptu song. And she nailed it!

♦ Jung Seun Hwan, 19

"I did get singing lessons but I quit because I think singing is not for learning. I was told that I looked cynical, that's why I wore glasses today".

(It Will Pass by Kim Bum Soo)

[O] YG   : Your favorite singers are John Lennon, Radiohead and YHY. I thought this guy is not normal. *laugh* But you sing like you're talking.
[O] YHY: I believe that you have an innate talent.
[O] JYP  : Every single person has something special. You just did your thing and didn't try to fit yourself to others.

♦ Nam So Hyun, 18

She did try out last season with her sister, Nam Young Jo, but she didn't get through the preliminary round.

(Only I didn't know by IU)

[O] YG   : You are good with emotion.
[X] YHY: You lack a distinctive feature. You sing all the high notes with falsetto.
[O] JYP  : I'm disappointed that you did the same mistakes as your sister.

*She was asked to sing the high notes again with her own voice.

♦ Grace, 27, New York

She has passed during Season 1's preliminary round but she got some VISA problem and she don't want to leave her mom behind. It took her 3 years to try out again.

(Fallin by Alicia Keys)

[O] JYP  : I don't like people showing off while singing, but it's okay if you did it well.
[O] YHY: You sing the best out of all the contestants.
[O] YG   : She would get a standing ovation if she performs in American Idol.

♦ Lee Jin Ah, 24

"I was always being teased by boys during my middle and high school years."
"My voice doesn't bother me at all in my daily life now."

(Time, slow down by Lee Jin Ah)

[O] JYP  : I was completely enchanted.
[O] YHY: I just saw a female musician I've been dreaming of.
[O] YG   : I think you will be the first to pave the path for other Korean Indie musicians.


My amateur comment:
    I'm rooting for Jung Seung Hwan, Park Yoon Ha, Na Ha Eun and Lee Jin Ah. But I know Na Ha Eun and Lee Jin Ah might not go further if they don't impress the judges next round. Plus, Na Ha Eun is just a baby~ I'm worried about her as much as I wanted her to do well. As for Lee Jin Ah, she don't really have a powerful voice, so it might be a disadvantage. But I trust her unique musicality!
    I had a bad impression on Jung Seung Hwan when he said he quit the singing lesson because singing is not to be learned (?). Doesn't that sound like you put too much pride on yourself? But in the end, his individuality does shine. And as for Kwon Hye In and Grace.. They are great at singing, but I hope they don't overdo it next time. I wasn't moved by their performances yet I was amazed by their high notes.. Sawry~ (Cheon Song Yi's style..) All the best for next round!

KPOP STAR 4: Lee Jin Ah - Audition round

I have to admit that I was amused (and surprised) to hear her voice at first. Even the judges was taken aback when they heard her voice for the first time. Yoo Hee Yeol remarks was especially hilarious, 'Is that really your voice?'.

Lee Jin Ah is a singer-songwriter, aged 24, from Gwang-ju. She has already released an album titled 'Invisible' but it was a complete failure. Too bad that her musicality was not recognized.

She said she used to be teased by boys during her middle and high school years. But her voice did not bother her at all. She just wanted to be a singer-songwriter and let others listen to her song. Previously she did perform in Hongdae and even released an album. Nothing changed and she did not get much recognition.

She was worried coming to audition because her voice is not powerful enough for this competition. But the president of her former agency persuaded her to try out the audition for Kpop Star 4. Thankfully she did .. Honestly I am not a professional in terms of music but seeing how the judges respond to her song, it must be a big deal then. Actually she was in Mnet Tune Up before. I prefer her piano-playing version instead of the whole band version. You can check out both her performances below.

Lee Jin Ah: "I'm sorry but the feet pedal is not working"

Yoo Hee Yeol: "You pass! No need to sing. I'm already amazed by your musicality"

Time, Slows Down - Lee Jin Ah

When I am walking hand in hand with you

I always start to sing a song

Lala laa ~

Strangely, whenever I am with you

Time always flies away

When I am walking hand in hand with you

I always start to sing a song

Lala laa ~

Strangely, whenever I am with you

Time always flies away

[Chorus]

Oh Time, could you slows down a bit?

I think you're going to fast 

Could you go slower for me a bit

Just a little, a little bit

Slowly, slowly

Could you go by?

How can it be?

The day is over so quickly

With you by my side

How time flies

I think I'm going to be a grandma soon

Will this feeling last forever?

[Chorus] × 2