Huh Gak Yields '1st Place' Throne to Kim Ki-tae in Intense Showdown

Singer Huh Gak, who married Lee Soo-yeon in 2013, has relinquished his '1st Place' throne to 'Sing Again 2' winner Kim Ki-tae.

On the second episode of MBC's '1st Place' aired on the 22nd, a fierce battle unfolded as only the top five teams could advance in the ruthless 'head-to-head' competition. With the rankings from the first episode reset and no stage opportunity given to those ranked sixth and below, the top contenders fought a battle of pride.

The highlight of the competition was the rivalry match between 'audition first generation' Huh Gak and 'Lion Voice' Kim Ki-tae, who came to challenge him. Huh Gak made the first move by choosing the national comfort song 'Don't Worry, Dear' and moved the audience to tears. After the performance, Baek Ji-young humorously accused Huh Gak of 'foul play' in song selection, calling it one of the 'three major foul songs' in competitions, alongside 'Mom's Song' and 'Dad's Song'.

However, Kim Ki-tae countered Huh Gak's 'song foul' with a 'technical foul'. He chose Lee Seung-hwan's 'How Could Love Be Like This', and during the performance, he put down the microphone and filled the venue with his raw voice in a 'no-mic live' performance. Kim Ki-tae's heartfelt roar earned a standing ovation from all the panelists, and even his rival Huh Gak was left speechless, saying, "I can't believe it."

'Tear Fairy' Lee Min-jung burst into tears again as Kim Ki-tae's performance began. She expressed her emotional response, saying, "I tried hard not to cry, but I couldn't help it in front of the lion." Fellow singers jokingly criticized Kim Ki-tae for using such a powerful technique early in the competition, while Huh Gak humorously protested, "Did you really want to beat me that badly?" causing laughter on set.

After a fierce battle, victory went to Kim Ki-tae. Reclaiming the glorious gold line 1st place, Kim Ki-tae expressed his gratitude with a deep bow, saying, "It was a stage that made me think a lot. I will do my best to sing." Meanwhile, Huh Gak, who lost his 1st place, jokingly vowed revenge, saying, "To beat Kim Ki-tae next week, I might have to sing 'Father'."

The preview at the end of the broadcast teased an even more intense '1:1 head-to-head battle of the 1st places', adding to the excitement. MBC's ultimate audition showdown '1st Place', which determines the best of the best, airs every Sunday at 9:10 PM.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr