The broadcast of SBS's "The Ballad of Us 2" on November 9 recorded a peak per-minute rating of 6.3% and a household rating of 6.0% in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea. In the key 20-49 demographic ratings, it also held onto first place in its time slot for six consecutive weeks and ranked No. 1 among all Monday variety programs, proving its formidable popularity.
On this episode's Round 2 1-on-1 deathmatch, heavily buzzworthy contestants took the stage. Contestant Kim So-yeon, who previously achieved a cumulative 30 million views on related video clips during Round 1 with her philosophical demeanor and emotional rendition of "Love, on its Solitude," poured her heart into singing the late Kim Kwang-seok's "Love that Was Too Painful Was Not Love." As Kim So-yeon once again enveloped the studio in emotion with her song, BIBI, representing the 'Top 100 Ears,' offered high praise, saying, "I feel like this song is the OST to the movie of my life." Kim So-yeon secured 101 votes to advance to Round 3.
The 13-year-old youngest contestant, Park Jin-seo, dominated the stage with a reinterpretation of Cho Yong-pil's "Song of the Wind." Moon Geun-young implored, "I am Jin-seo's No. 1 fan. Please remember that," and Park Jin-seo clinched the victory with 114 votes.
Meanwhile, the showdown between arts high school triple-crown winner Min Ji-yu and Cha Min-ju set an unprecedented record as the first-ever tie in a 1-on-1 deathmatch across all seasons of the show. With the two facing off through flawless performances of Yoon Jong-shin's "Like It" and Toy's "A Passionate Goodbye," respectively, the choices of the 'Top 100 Ears' were split down the middle. Following an emergency meeting by the production team, both contestants achieved the feat of advancing to Round 3 together.
In the preview revealed at the end of the broadcast, an even more grueling Round 3 duet mission was teased alongside footage of Cha Tae-hyun breaking down in tears, raising curiosity.
The Round 3 duet mission of "The Ballad of Us 2" will air on Monday, November 16 at 10 p.m.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)