The person who turned the showcase into a competition stage is broadcaster Kim Sung-joo (52).
On the 9th, Kim Sung-joo appeared as the MC at the showcase for trot singer Kim Tae-yeon's first regular album 'Excitement', held at Ilji Art Hall in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. It was rare for him, who has only hosted TV broadcasts, to be present at a singer's showcase, and this was the first time since he declared himself a freelancer in 2007.
As a reporter covering Kim Tae-yeon, I couldn't ignore Kim Sung-joo's presence. I took a seat right in the middle of the event hall upon hearing the news of his appearance as the showcase MC. His clear voice and pronunciation were on a different level compared to other MCs I had encountered.
Although he is known as the best MC in the country for his speaking skills, it was my first time seeing Kim Sung-joo up close. The last time I saw him was during the filming of the JTBC entertainment program 'Mungchyeo-ya Chanda' at the Yongsan Hyochang Sports Complex. I still remember how his voice stood out clearly to me, even from a distance in that large sports field.
Even a veteran MC might feel pressure. Or perhaps it was humility. Introducing himself as an "audition specialist MC," Kim Sung-joo cautiously opened his mouth and immediately showcased his 'unmatched' hosting skills, capturing everyone's attention.
Kim Sung-joo said, "Kim Tae-yeon personally asked me. I've never hosted a showcase before. I would have refused if it were just any friend," adding, "This is my first showcase. It feels like I'm doing it at the request of my youngest daughter. Please take good care of both Kim Tae-yeon and me. We might make mistakes. Let's encourage each other and look forward to it." Each word he spoke flowed smoothly as if it were scripted.
Notably, many fans of Kim Tae-yeon were present at the showcase, which caught attention. Upon confirmation, it was revealed that the event organizers had invited some members of the fan club in advance to enrich the event. It is generally uncommon for applause and cheers to erupt at media showcases. However, on this day, every time Kim Tae-yeon's live stage and comments ended, the fans' delighted reactions emerged, allowing reporters to witness a new side of the event.
With the interaction between the fans and the singer, did Kim Sung-joo feel a bit more at ease? His already smooth remarks became even more lively, and he even recalled past competition memories to pose a key question to Kim Tae-yeon. "When I see MCs on audition programs, some give higher scores to those from traditional Korean music backgrounds, while others look down on them. Do you think your background in traditional music has helped you in trot?" This was a question I was also curious about.
What was even more surprising was Kim Tae-yeon's answer. She stated, "In my personal opinion, if you only focus on traditional music, the chances of falling behind in a trot competition are high," and expressed her belief that "you need to remove the traditional elements and capture the trot feel well."
With natural questions and honest, unguarded answers, it was indeed a high-quality and complete showcase. Various questions were exchanged with the press, and the showcase lasted nearly 1 hour and 30 minutes. It was not boring at all. Moments when I felt Kim Sung-joo was truly remarkable flooded in.
Whenever Kim Tae-yeon left the stage to prepare for the next performance, Kim Sung-joo filled the time with over 5 minutes of ad-libbing using his unique eloquence. His ability to do so without awkwardness or hesitation was truly impressive.
In the end, with Kim Sung-joo's closing remarks and applause from reporters and fans, the atmosphere felt more like a recording studio for the competition program 'Miss Trot' rather than a showcase.
