MBN’s ‘2026 Korea-Japan Singer Match’ has sparked huge buzz with a dramatic turnaround in the final moments.
The 5th episode, aired on the 12th, recorded a national viewership rating of 4.5% and a peak of 5.3%, maintaining its spot as the top Tuesday variety show across all channels, including terrestrial, cable, and general programming. Having held the #1 spot since its premiere, this episode kept viewers on the edge of their seats with unpredictable results.
Korea Had the Edge, But the National Jury Flipped the Script
This episode featured the remaining matches of the third round of the finals and the announcement of the final results. In the mid-game tally, Korea was leading Japan 4 to 3. While the celebrity judges’ scores of 120 points were revealed first, the National Jury’s scores of 240 points remained a mystery and were the key variable in determining the winner.
The first highlight was the showdown between Korea’s Lee Su-yeon and Japan’s Arakawa Karen. As the youngest active singers from each country, their “revenge match” drew significant attention. Lee Su-yeon delivered a delicate performance of ‘Byeol-a Byeol-a,’ while Arakawa Karen performed ‘To J’ with Korean lyrics, completing a stable stage. The result was unexpected: a tie, with both scoring 60 points.
However, the atmosphere shifted rapidly once the National Jury’s scores were revealed. Despite the tie from the celebrity judges, Lee Su-yeon was overtaken by Arakawa Karen in the public vote. Gasps erupted from the crowd, and Korea’s lead began to waver.
Hong Ji-yun Overturned… A Massive Plot Twist for Team Japan
The most anticipated match of the episode was the battle of the kings between Hong Ji-yun and Bon Inoue. Representing Korea, Hong Ji-yun chose the Japanese Enka classic ‘Bokyo Shoka.’ She showed great dedication by recruiting a local shamisen player. Before her performance, Hong Ji-yun declared, “I will defeat the Japanese king with an authentic Enka song,” delivering a powerful stage with excellent Japanese pronunciation and expression.
In response, Japan’s Bon Inoue chose MAMAMOO’s ‘Decalcomanie.’ With a determined spirit to win, she showcased her versatility in rap, dance, and vocals. Host Shin Dong-yup praised the song choice as a sign of respect toward the opposing country. However, Bon Inoue was seen in tears immediately after her performance, appearing unsatisfied with her own result.
While Hong Ji-yun won the celebrity judges’ vote, the situation completely flipped during the final score announcement. After adding the National Jury’s points, Bon Inoue secured a comeback victory, giving Team Japan a huge boost in momentum.
The duet battle also took an unexpected turn. Korea’s Gu Su-gyeong and Lee Su-yeon showed off their powerful vocals with ‘Azalea Flower.’ Japan’s Azuma Aki and Arakawa Karen expressed their nerves, asking “What should we do?”, but they ultimately took the win with a stable harmony in ‘Kabutomushi.’
The visual battle between Kang Hye-yeon and Nagai Manami also became a hot topic. Kang Hye-yeon declared, “I am the visual center of Korea and Japan,” performing ‘DDD’ in a musical style. On the other hand, Nagai Manami showcased a different charm with ‘Touch,’ securing another win for Team Japan.
Bon Inoue Named MVP… Heat Continues with a Gala Show
Following ties in the first and second rounds of the finals, the tension reached its peak when the celebrity judges’ scores for the third round also ended in a 5 to 5 tie. However, Japan swept the special matches, bringing the final score to 7 to 4. Korea’s quest for a third consecutive win came to an end, and Team Japan achieved a drama-like comeback victory.
An awards ceremony followed at the end of the show. Solji and Arakawa Karen received the ‘Rising Star Award,’ while Hong Ji-yun and Azuma Aki were honored with the ‘Korea-Japan Bridge Award.’ The most anticipated MVP award went to Team Japan’s king, Bon Inoue. She shared, “I will continue to work hard as a singer and an artist in the future.”
The program concluded by emphasizing the meaning of musical exchange between the two countries despite the competition. The production team teased the ‘2026 Korea-Japan Singer Match Gala Show’ on the 19th, featuring the Top 7 active singers from both nations. With unreleased performances and behind-the-scenes footage promised, viewer interest is expected to remain high.
