Reliving the '80s: MBC Seoul Music Festival Kicks Off with Nostalgic Flair

The '80s MBC Seoul Music Festival has officially begun.

On the recent episode of MBC's variety show 'Hangout with Yoo,' the '80s MBC Seoul Music Festival kicked off with hosts Yoo Jae-suk and actress Kim Hee-ae. A total of 15 teams took the stage to perform iconic songs from the 1980s.

The panel of judges included music director Kim Moon-jung, legendary '80s singers Byun Jin-sub and Han Young-ae, film director Jang Hang-jun, and PD Nam Tae-jung.

As the festival commenced under the guidance of MCs Yoo Jae-suk and Kim Hee-ae, Haha humorously remarked, "I don't like how much the PD is getting involved," to which Joo Woo-jae agreed, bringing laughter to the audience.

Yoo Jae-suk and Kim Hee-ae caught attention with their '80s fashion. Yoo sported a bob wig, while Kim dazzled in a purple two-piece and curly perm, evoking a retro vibe.

Yoon Do-hyun opened the festival with 'Encounter' by Songolmae. Initially nonchalant about the performance order, he admitted, "I didn't expect to go first. I wanted to enjoy it, but my heart was racing. I worried about messing up."

Though he claimed not to care about awards, Yoon humorously confessed, "I wouldn't mind winning the grand prize," eliciting laughter.

Solar delivered a powerful rendition of 'Beautiful Rivers and Mountains' by Lee Sun-hee. "I was so nervous," she admitted, adding, "I heard Yoon Do-hyun was a professor, but he said he never taught. I didn't care about the order, but going after him was daunting."

The festival continued with performances by Jung Sung-hwa ('Kim Sung-ho's Reminiscence'), IVE's Liz ('Stop the Wind' by Lee Ji-yeon), WOODZ ('The Last Concert' by Lee Seung-chul), Park Young-kyu ('We Are' by Song Chang-sik), and Ha Dong-kyun ('Someone's Dream' by Spring Summer Fall Winter).

Jung Sung-hwa, eager to make his mark, joked, "Director Kim Moon-jung is ruthless. Seeing him made me nervous. I was all in for the festival, but seeing him there made me reconsider my ambitions."

Performing solo without her IVE bandmates, Liz shared, "I felt lonely, but I drew on my idol experience. My members encouraged me, saying, 'Do well tomorrow. Let the world hear your beautiful voice.'"

Park Young-kyu and Kim Hee-ae reunited after 36 years since their MBC drama 'Forget Tomorrow.' Park emotionally stated, "She was the first woman I loved. Meeting such a great actress back then has sustained me to this day." Kim Hee-ae reflected, "Time flies," while Yoo Jae-suk added, "It's heartwarming."

In a special performance, Byun Jin-sub serenaded the audience with 'To the Lady,' capturing the essence of the '80s.

Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr