K-Pop Star Finals!

In the last moment of truth, the winner broke down and the runner-up smiled brightly. This is what happened between the two finalists of SBS’ K-Pop Star, Park Ji Min and Lee Ha Yi. K-Pop Star came to a close after its five month long journey on April 29, handing the winner’s trophy to the 16 year old Park Ji Min.

The live competition was the moment in which the final winner would be born. The winner would be given a chance to sign with her agency of choice among SM, YG and JYP, a chance to release a worldwide album, 300 million won prize money and a Hyundai i40 automobile. As the stakes were high, the contestants couldn’t step back. The one left standing in the end turned out to be Park Ji Min.


Tears from winner Park Ji Min

As soon as her name was called as the winner of K-Pop Star, Park Ji Min’s face became covered with tears. She would’ve had to go through more difficult times than any other to stand on such a grand stage as a 16 year old girl.

Producers Park Jin Young and Yang Hyun Suk also said, “It’s not easy to stand onstage at such a young age.” The challenge was that great for her.

In her final moment, Park Ji Min said in tears, “I feel like I’ve been repaid for everything I’ve worked hard for. I want to thank my parents and the judges.” Her tears meant a lot. Her five months of hard work probably flashed before her eyes.

In December 2011, when she first stood in front of the three judges, she was just 15 years old. Her explosive vocals shown through Beyonce’s Irreplaceable surprised everyone, and her potential was proved with her talent.

In the following missions she stood onstage as the member of SuPearls, and learned about friendship when she shared it with the members she worked so hard with. Whenever one of them had to leave, she had to fight by herself in a lonely battle.

The April 29 broadcast of SBS Special aired behind-the-scenes videos from K-Pop Star. In the special, Park Ji Min was just like any other middle school student. She was worried about her diet like anyone else, but her smile never left her face and she showed how she was trying to run toward her dream.

Her last performance of Lim Jeong Hee’s Music is My Life also meant to deliver her message of passion. Park Ji Min was that desperate, and she was that strong. In the tears she showed in the last moment were her achievements, deep emotions and her delight.

Smiles from runner-up Lee Ha Yi

On the other hand the runner-up, or the other winner, was smiling.

Lee Ha Yi had never really said much during the course of the competition, but she said that day, “I feel great that I can finally set down the pressure. I wanted to cry a lot all this time, but I held my tears back. I’m really happy and sad that it’s finally over. I feel great that it’s over.”

MC Yoon Do Hyun said about her speech, “It’s the first time I’ve seen her talk so much. I think she has a lot she wants to say.”

This was exactly it. When Park Ji Min’s name was called as the winner, Lee Ha Yi actually seemed to loosen up more, and she came up with the most words she’s ever spoken in K-Pop Star.

Lee Ha Yi was said to have an innate talent due to her unique voice color. Whenever the judges showered praise on her, she must have been happy, but the great expectations would also have come as a burden.

In the SBS Special, Lee Ha Yi and Park Ji Min were shown to be close friends. Lee Ha Yi always maintains a poker face onstage, but backstage she was like a chameleon with her colorful expressions. Viewers could see the deep friendship they shared not as competitors, but as friends, when Lee Ha Yi would double up in laughter at Park Ji Min’s every word.

Lee Ha Yi delivered her best in her last performances of Killing Me Softly and Rolling in the Deep, doing her best without any regrets and letting go of her pressure.

As soon as her beloved friend won the competition, she showed she could embrace the moment and congratulate her without any grudges. The smile Lee Ha Yi showed in her last moment was a light of relief that only a true winner could show.

Photo credit: SBS

Reporter : Ko Hong Ju (kohongju@cj.net)
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