Singer Sungri continues to gain attention for his genre-crossing performances following his victory in a trot audition. He is expanding his musical style by incorporating experiences from his idol days along with ballads and rock.
On the 21st, Sungri performed Hong Jin-young's 'Tonight' alongside singer Na Tae-joo on MBN's 'Legendary Man.' The duo showcased a dynamic stage combining precise choreography and energetic performances.
Na Tae-joo, a former national taekwondo representative, demonstrated aerial spinning kicks and acrobatic moves, while Sungri focused on vocals, choreography, and expressive acting. Together, they triumphed in the duet competition against the teams of Geum Jandi and Bin Ye-seo.
Sungri's performance skills were also highlighted on KBS2's 'Immortal Songs' on the 17th. He appeared on the episode dedicated to composer Park Geun-tae, reinterpreting Shinhwa's hit song 'Brand New.' His powerful combination of intense dance breaks and vocal prowess earned him a standing ovation from the panel of judges.
Sungri secured 412 votes, surpassing Kim Hee-jae and Evan, although the final victory went to Heo Gak and Kim Ye-chan with 417 votes, marking a close finish just five votes apart.
MC Lee Chan-won praised Sungri, stating, "He is a singer who possesses perfect vocal ability, dance skills, and visuals," expressing pride as a fellow trot artist.
This performance evokes memories of Sungri's past. He debuted in 2012 with the group K-BOYS and later participated in Mnet's 'Produce 101 Season 2.' In 2017, he was a member of the project group RAINZ, formed from seven contestants of the show.
After continuing his solo career, Sungri expanded into the trot genre. He achieved a significant turning point by winning MBN's 'Legendary Trot: The Ranking War of Unknown Legends' in May.
Notably, his post-victory music has drawn attention. On August 20, he released the winner's song 'Sad Rain,' composed and arranged by Kim Jin-ryong, known for 'Namhaengyeolcha.' This track, which falls under the alternative rock genre rather than traditional trot, expresses longing for a loved one and highlights Sungri's smooth yet powerful vocals.
This direction aligns with Sungri's stated musical goals. In a post-victory interview, he identified his strengths as quick adaptability to choreography and versatility across various genres. He explained that his experiences in idol, ballad, and trot music have become valuable assets.
Looking ahead, he expressed a desire to blend the ballad and R&B sensibilities he originally started with into trot, aiming to create 'Sungri's unique music' that transcends genre boundaries.
Recent performances reflect these characteristics. On 'Immortal Songs,' he showcased dance performances typical of an idol, while on 'Legendary Man,' he demonstrated his stage composition skills through his collaboration with Na Tae-joo. In his new song 'Sad Rain,' he ventured into rock, revealing another facet of his vocal talent.
As Sungri continues to develop his musical identity, attention is drawn to what unique sounds he will create in the future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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