"Beyond Great, It's Phenomenal" 13-Year-Old Youngest Contestant Delivers Emotional Stage on 'The Ballad of Us 2'

By  Kang Sun-ae  | Oct 19, 2026

"Beyond Great, It's Phenomenal" 13-Year-Old Youngest Contestant Delivers Emotional Stage on 'The Ballad of Us 2'
The Ballad of Us (Photo=Getty Images Korea)On SBS's "The Ballad of Us 2," the youngest contestant at age 13, possessing the sensibility of an R&B master, delivers an emotional performance.

SBS's "The Ballad of Us 2," airing on October 19 at 10 p.m., will feature the special story and stage of the youngest 13-year-old contestant among participants with an average age of 17.9.

This contestant, who travels a 5-hour round trip by bus every week with their mother to pursue a dream of music, selects Yoon Mi-rae's "Good Bye Sadness, Hello Happiness" for the mother who supports them. With rich emotion and a husky vocal tone that belie the contestant's young age, they captivate the Top 100 Ears panel all at once.

Listening to the song, Park Kyung-rim teared up, putting herself in the mother's shoes, while Jung Seung-hwan praised generously, saying, "They're simply born with it. Beyond great, it's phenomenal."

Meanwhile, over this performance, the music team's Jung Jae-hyung tried to seize the upper hand by saying, "Variety team, quiet down," to which the variety team's Cha Tae-hyun fired back, "Say something that's practically helpful," heating up the studio atmosphere.

In addition, a unique contestant who switched genres from "Show Me the Money" to "The Ballad of Us" to take on a challenge also appears. Raising anticipation is what kind of unexpected twist this contestant—who drew Cha Tae-hyun's support with a distinctive gaze and candid speaking skills—will deliver by transitioning from hip-hop to ballad.

"The Ballad of Us 2," where the passion of contestants with all-time soul and surprising individuality will unfold, airs on Monday, October 19, at 10 p.m. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)