About the Program

“Our Ballad” is a flagship emotional music competition created by SBS, one of South Korea’s leading broadcasters. Rather than focusing solely on vocal power or flashy performance, it centers on emotional storytelling — songs that touch the heart and linger in memory.

Airing every Tuesday at 9 PM, the show transforms the traditional audition format into an emotional journey. Each episode introduces new contestants with moving personal stories and reimagined performances of beloved Korean ballads, proving that sincerity is the true melody of life.

In the 2025 season, classic ballads from the 1980s–2000s are reinterpreted by new voices, bridging generations. Both young audiences and longtime fans find themselves united by nostalgia, empathy, and timeless lyrics.

Judges & Hosts

The judging panel features some of Korea’s most respected vocalists and producers, representing different eras of ballad history. Their insight and warmth create an atmosphere that feels more like mentorship than competition.

• 🎤 Host: Jun Hyun-moo — a seasoned MC known for his balance of humor and empathy.
• 🎶 Panel: Cha Tae-hyun, Park Kyung-lim, Crush, Jung Seung-hwan, and Danny Koo — offering musical depth and emotional feedback from different generations.

Format & Features

Unlike typical reality competitions, Our Ballad focuses on sincerity and connection. Every performance begins with a story — a memory, a heartbreak, or a moment that inspired the song choice. Viewers witness not just technical skills but the healing power of music itself.

• 🎵 Performance Flow: Theme selection → Individual/duet stages → Live audience voting.
• 👂 Evaluation: 50% vocal technique + 50% emotional delivery and storytelling.
• 💬 Real-life Narratives: Contestants share personal experiences that connect with their song lyrics.
• 💡 Interactive Audience: 100 live listeners (“The Top 100 Ears”) cast votes and reactions in real time.

Cultural Significance

Ballads are more than just a genre — they represent the emotional DNA of Korean music. Through Our Ballad, the world experiences a side of K-culture that emphasizes tenderness, poetry, and healing rather than glamour.

International audiences have responded enthusiastically, calling it “the opposite of K-pop — music that feels human.” Even without understanding the lyrics, many viewers report feeling deeply moved by the performances.

🌍 International Viewer Q&A

• Q1. Are English subtitles available?
  A. Yes! Netflix and the official SBS WORLD YouTube channel provide English subtitles. Some clips also include Spanish, Japanese, and Indonesian translations.
• Q2. What makes Korean ballads different from K-pop?
  A. K-pop focuses on choreography and performance; ballads focus on emotion and storytelling. “Our Ballad” captures the intimate side of Korean music that speaks directly to the heart.
• Q3. Can foreigners join the competition?
  A. Currently, it’s open to Korean residents, but SBS is considering a “Global Ballad Edition” to include international participants in future seasons.
• Q4. Do I need to understand Korean to enjoy it?
  A. Not at all! The emotions transcend language. Many viewers find the melodies and delivery powerful enough to feel every word.
• Q5. Where can I watch it outside Korea?
  A. You can stream episodes on Netflix (in select regions), SBS WORLD YouTube, and the official SBS website’s global streaming section.
• Q6. Why is it so popular in Korea?
  A. It reflects a cultural longing for sincerity and nostalgia in modern entertainment. Amid flashy trends, “Our Ballad” brings back warmth, reflection, and community.
• Q7. Does the show explore the history of Korean ballads?
  A. Yes. Each episode revisits classic songs from the 1980s to 2000s, explaining their historical and emotional background for younger viewers.

Conclusion — Ballads Never Fade

“Our Ballad” is more than a music show — it’s a reminder that sincerity is timeless. Each performance is a confession, a memory, or a small miracle set to melody. As one international fan commented, “Even if I don’t understand Korean, I can feel the soul of the song.”

Every Tuesday night, this show brings warmth to living rooms across the world, proving that heartfelt music can transcend borders, generations, and languages. In a world of speed and noise, “Our Ballad” whispers gently: “The most beautiful sound is the voice of truth.”