[Press Release] CJ ENM's 'King of Karaoke: VS' With Impressive Viewership Poised to Become An Iconic Sensation

Published on 2023/12/10

('King of Karaoke: VS' Poster / Courtesy of CJ ENM)

'King of Karaoke: VS ', created by leading entertainment company CJ ENM, is set to become the iconic show of 2023.

Debuting on the CJ ENM-owned music channel Mnet, the show continues the legacy of the golden age of audition programs, following in the footsteps of 'Superstar K'. 'King of Karaoke: VS' presents a mega vocal showdown featuring singers from diverse backgrounds competing to be crowned the ultimate karaoke king. Star-studded lineup of celebrity producers, including K-pop legends like 2PM's Wooyoung, BTOB's Seo Eun-kwang, vocalist Soyou, Roy Kim, and popular boy band DAY6's Young K added an extra layer of excitement with sharp evaluations.

The show captivated audiences, combining the allure of karaoke and the thrill of survival. From its very first broadcast, 'King of Karaoke: VS' dominated its time slot for cable and general programming, with a peak viewership rating of 2.7%. It also achieved first place in the 1539 target viewership and 2049 male-female viewership. The recent episode reached a remarkable peak of 3.7%, further solidifying its leadership in the same time slot.

'King of Karaoke: VS' kicked off with a unique mission aligned with the theme of karaoke survival. The show not only highlights the distinctive features of karaoke survival through song selections that include popular chart-topping hits but also incorporates elements such as judging participants using karaoke machines. Participants' fate hinged on the machine's 'reservation' and 'cancellation' buttons. The producers listen to the participants' songs, and when elimination is decided, they press the cancellation button on the karaoke machine. On the other hand, for those who pass, producers press reservation.

Hyo-jin Choi, Chief Producer of 'King of Karaoke: VS', expressed, "Driven by a passion for innovation, I conceived a fresh music survival program. Observing distinctive songs in the karaoke chart, I aimed to create synergy by featuring beloved karaoke hits. Due to the nature of karaoke being a commonplace for the people of South Korea, individuals with various occupations, ages, and life experiences supported the program".

Diane Min, Head of Format Sales at CJ ENM said "Korea is a nation filled with a vibrant musical spirit. Music transcends borders and is a universal language. Through exporting this format, we aspire to bring the joy of karaoke culture to even more countries, fostering a shared musical experience worldwide".

The buzz surrounding the show generates anticipation that 'King of Karaoke: VS' will follow in the global success of CJ ENM's hit music formats like 'I Can See Your Voice' and 'MY BOYFRIEND IS BETTER', injecting fresh elements into studio entertainment. The program is well on its way to becoming the next iconic sensation, propelled by its unique concept and impressive viewership. The program's popularity is not confined to domestic audiences, as evidenced by a surge in inquiries related to its format from overseas.