JTBC

10CM and Kim Hyun-jung will appear as original singers on ‘Hidden Singer 8’.

With JTBC flagship music entertainment show ‘Hidden Singer 8 (planned by Hong Sang-hoon, directed by Shin Young-gwang)’ set to air in the first half of this year, 10CM and Kim Hyun-jung have officially confirmed their appearances as original singers, drawing renewed attention. Previously, after unveiling a lineup that spans genres and generations including Shim Soo-bong, Ha Hyun-woo, Lee Seung-gi, and Younha, expectations mounted; now, the addition of the uniquely toned 10CM and 1990s diva Kim Hyun-jung, who took the pop scene by storm, further broadens the spectrum of ‘Hidden Singer 8’. On top of that, a ‘Listening Test event’ featuring Shim Soo-bong, Kim Jang-hoon, Younha, Davichi, Lee Hae-ri, IU, and Lim Young-woong has been teased, heightening anticipation.

10CM, often described as ‘a voiceprint for timbre’, has long been a difficult artist to book due to having a “voice that is hard to imitate”. In the teaser video, he said, “A long-held wish in my singing career, appearing on Hidden Singer, has come true,” while also displaying strong confidence with, “I have never seen a single person who does it similar to me”, “This broadcast simply concerns me”.

10CM said, “It is hard to do it like me. I do not know the reason, but everyone seems to struggle,” drawing laughs, while the provocative line, “Give it your best! It will not work,” stoked the determination of the vocal impersonators. Curiosity grows over how fierce a contest his fingerprint-clear timbre will produce.

Kim Hyun-jung, the star behind the hit song that ‘turned all of Korea around’, will also step up as an original singer. Having held the stage for nearly 30 years since debut, Kim Hyun-jung said of this appearance, “It feels like I am going to meet the Kim Hyun-jung of my twenties again,” conveying excitement. Along with the confident line, “You have been spellbound by my songs,” she noted, “To capture my vocal mimicry, you need to bring back a bit of the old-school flavor,” citing soaring high notes, clear vocal points, and signature choreographies such as the gibbon dance, penguin dance, and whirlwind dance as her traits. She then encouraged participation from the impressionists, saying, “With the unique excitement of that era, let us try to punch through the ceiling,” foreshadowing a stage that transcends generations.

Meanwhile, ahead of the broadcast of ‘Hidden Singer 8’, a ‘Listening Test event’ will also run on the official JTBC Instagram. Shim Soo-bong, Kim Jang-hoon, Younha, Lee Hae-ri of Davichi, IU, and Lim Young-woong will take part as question setters, and participants will listen to the released audio and guess ‘which number is the real singer’. The event runs from Feb. 17 (Tue) to Mar. 2 (Mon), and prizes will be awarded by lottery among participants who leave correct answers in the comments during the period. In this event where viewers can become a ‘Hidden judging panel’ themselves, audiences are expected to get a chance to experience the tension and fun of the program in advance.

Impersonators wishing to take part in the episodes featuring the uniquely toned 10CM and 1990s diva Kim Hyun-jung can apply on the official JTBC ‘Hidden Singer 8’ website.