Pop democracy: viewers vote Huh winner of Superstar K 2

By Han Sang-hee

The long-awaited winner of the talent show “Supterstar K 2” was announced: Huh Gak. The three-month-long program captivated viewers with talented amateurs delivering colorful music and nail-biting missions, and it finally came to a close with fans voting for the pop star of the hour, Huh.

Story of a dreamer

Along with fellow contestant John Park, 25-year-old Huh was a favorite from the beginning. There was something about him that touched the hearts of many viewers, whether it was his eyes that sparkled whenever he stood on stage, a sensitivity that inspired several teary scenes or perhaps his tough journey to the stage from being a repairman. He managed to put his past behind him and work his way steadily to the top, as the viewers finally decided to grant the young man his dream ticket.

Huh and his family led a rough life after his mother left them when he was three. He couldn’t go to high school because he had to support his family. He had a difficult life, working long hours during the day as a ventilator repairman but the singer didn’t let go of his dream by getting gigs to sing at events and ceremonies at night.

Entering “Superstar K 2” changed his life, and like the judge and singer Uhm Jung-hwa said during the final judging, he “will never have to go back to being an amateur singer who performs at events.”

In the final episode last Friday, it was evident that Huh and Park were both terribly nervous.

The two contestants sang two songs each: a song of their choice and a new song called “Always” that would later be the winner’s debut number.

Park sang “The Truth in Wine” by balladeer Kim Dong-ryul, and added a bit of an R&B twist. He proved once again he was perfect for romantic ballad numbers with his deep voice and electric stage presence, succeeding to wow the audience. His version of the song “Always” was like a pop ballad with comfortable guitar melodies, which Park delivered perfectly, receiving 284 points out of 300 from the judges.

Huh sang “Love Rain” by former g.o.d. member Kim Tae-woo, dressed in a black leather jacket and dark sunglasses. Like most of his previous appearances, Huh showed off his powerful vocals. The song was a bit higher in vocal range and required a lot more power than other soft, melodic numbers, but the medium-tempo dance track was perfect to excite the crowd and also for him to enjoy the stage one last time. The song “Always” was where Huh really shone. His voice was clean and simple, and the way he delivered it was indeed unforgettable. While Park’s version was a bit more stylish and modern, Huh sang the song in a more acoustic manner, proving his voice can do all the work. Showered in sweat and a bit teary-eyed, Huh waited for his score — the highest ever at 293 points.

More than 130,000 text messages were sent by viewers for the final voting, which would make up 60 percent of the result. When singer and radio DJ Bae Chul-soo finally called Huh Gak’s name, the 25-year-old burst into tears, hugging his good friend and competitor Park.

“I thank my father for letting me sing,” he later said weeping.

“I will do my best to sing with all of my heart. Thank you so much,” he added to the crowd who gave the crying singer a standing ovation.

Huh received 200 million won in prize money, a car and the chance to release his own album. But more importantly, the aspiring singer received genuine support and positive feedback from the viewers, proving that it takes more than just good looks, chiseled abs or a sense of humor to become a pop singer. With his powerful vocal skills, modesty and a determined spirit he was able to make his dream come true.

Stir in the music industry

“Superstar K” started last year, with the first season making headlines as the Korean version of the United States’ popular show “American Idol.” Although it was not as popular back then compared to the second season, it was the first local program to offer viewers a chance to cast votes and determine the final winner.

This year’s show was meaningful not only because it discovered a number of talented aspiring singers, but it also reminded viewers of three important elements that seem to have disappeared from the current music industry: diversity, individuality and vocals.

From the start, the show welcomed contestants with colorful backgrounds and individuality. Jang Jae-in, who made it to the final three, had a unique voice and changed almost any song to reflect her own style, while Kang Seung-yun showed off his rocker-vocals and good looks to viewers.

During the episode when Jang Jae-in was eliminated, the judge and singer/songwriter Yoon Jong-shin also expressed his gratitude and support to Jang, saying that it was “meaningful that Jang, who pursues a music genre not everybody is willing to do, has made it to the top three” and that “she has made a great impact to the current music industry.”

Another important feature exposed in the show was the strong vocal performances. As judge and singer Lee Seung-chul told Huh before the final announcement, there are so many pop singers “who work on getting perfect abs as soon as they release their albums.”

Vocals, which were once the most important talent for a singer, have become a substitute in becoming one, but “Superstar K 2” proved that it wasn’t just good looks and a perfect body that made a true winner, but most importantly, the voice.

The show is expected to work as a stepping stone in inviting more unknown amateurs and further broadening the rather narrow and idol-infatuated industry of today.

허각 'Superstar K 2'에서 우승

오래 기다렸던 케이블 방송 슈퍼스타케이 2의 우승자가 허각으로 발표되었다.

총 3달동안 계속되었던 프로그램은 개성이 강한 지원자들, 긴장되는 미션들과 노래들로 시청자들을 즐겁게 했는데 결국 모든 우승의 영광은 허각에게 돌아갔다.

다른 우승자 후보였던 존박과 함께 허각은 처음부터 인기가 많은 우승후보였다.

가수를 꿈꾸었던 그는 시청자들에게 많은 감동을 주었는데 이것은 그가 노래를 부르기 위해 무대에 올라설 때도, 눈물을 훔치게 했던 감동적인 순간들도 그리고 수리공에서 여기까지 달려왔던 그의 어려운 형편에 관한 이야기가 나올 때 또한 마찬가지였다.

그는 그의 과거를 잊고 조금씩 앞으로 나아갔고 시청자들은 그에게 꿈을 이룰수 있도록 꿈의 티켓을 안겨주었다.

허씨와 그의 가족들은 어머니가 세살 때 집을 나가면서 힘겨운 생활이 시작되었다. 가난한 형편으로 고등학교 진학을 포기하고 환풍기 수리공을 일했다.

낮에는 긴 시간 노동을 하면서 힘든 시간을 보냈지만 그는 밤에는 행사장을 돌아다니면서 노래를 부르며 그의 꿈을 버리지 않았다.

슈퍼스타 K에 참여하게 되면서 그의 인생은 달라졌고 심사위원이자 가수인 엄정화가 마지막 심사때 말했듯이 그는 더 이상 행사장에서 노래를 부르는 가수를 하지 않아도 되었다.