Son Seung-yeon Crowned Champion in MBC's 'The Best' Finale

The MBC variety show 'The Best', hosted by Boom, concluded its 10-episode run with a spectacular finale, crowning Son Seung-yeon as the ultimate winner.

On the final episode aired on the 19th, the show wrapped up its intense competition that began in February. The top four contestants, Son Seung-yeon, Lee Ye-jun, Huh Gak, and Kim Ki-tae, delivered their best performances in a bid to win the coveted 'Best of the Best' trophy.

The finale featured two rounds: a first-round showdown with new songs and a second-round final song battle with their most confident performances. Son Seung-yeon emerged victorious with a total of 510 votes, receiving overwhelming support.

In the first round, Son Seung-yeon impressed with her new song 'Only Tonight', drawing comparisons to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston for her sophisticated pop sensibility. She expressed her joy, saying, "It's my first time winning with my own song, which makes it all the more precious and moving."

Son Seung-yeon's momentum continued in the second round with her rendition of Lee Seung-chul's 'Mali Flower'. Her performance left the studio in awe, with Huh Gak exclaiming, "It's unbelievable," and Kim Ki-tae praising her as "truly amazing." The studio erupted in calls for an encore after her performance.

With a combined total of 510 votes, Son Seung-yeon claimed the top spot. Lee Ye-jun followed closely in second place with a 17-vote difference, while Huh Gak and Kim Ki-tae took third and fourth places, respectively. Receiving the trophy, Son Seung-yeon tearfully shared, "I'm so happy. I've always worked hard to deliver great performances, and proving myself has been challenging at times. I'm deeply moved by the support from everyone."

Lee Ye-jun, who placed second, expressed, "Despite some shortcomings, I'm thrilled that my sincerity came through. I aim to deliver even better music after this experience on 'The Best'." Huh Gak shared, "I sang with great joy and can't wait for next week," while Kim Ki-tae added, "I want to sing more and perform again. I'm grateful for the opportunity to compete happily and sing on stage."

By Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr