“K-Pop Star 3” Judges: Yang Hyun Suk, Park Jin Young and Yoo Hee Yeol, How Do Their Training Styles Differ?

The different training styles of the three “K-Pop Star 3” judges Yang Hyun Suk, Park Jin Young and Yoo Hee Yeol are gaining attention.

The second round of auditions on SBS survival audition program “K-Pop Star 3” has started and competition is fierce. But what’s gained viewers’ attention are the different training methods used by the individual judges.

After the first round of auditions, participants were given the chance to choose which judge they wanted to learn from. They headed to YG, JYP, and Antenna Music training rooms where the judges provided 1-on-1 sessions to help fix their problems and point out areas for growth.

Over at YG, nurturing an unconstrained personality seems to be crucial. During his 1-on-1 coaching sessions, Yang Hyun Suk focused on bringing out the natural personalities of participants. Regarding star quality as being as important as natural talent, he gave advice on things that participants needed fixing, while leaving their distinct characteristics alone.

Trot talent Hong Jung Hee was told that her two songs needed to be reconsidered, and that she ought to find songs that best suited her voice. Yang Hyun Suk made a sharp observation, saying, “There are too many pauses in your singing that the emotions are lost. I think you have to practice singing continuously.” Hong Jung Hee took the short advice and made full use of it, receiving favorable comments from the judges when she took the stage.

In the JYP room, Park Jin Young gave very detailed, technical 1-to-1 lessons. He emphasized that a good foundation in vocalization and basic posture is important, advising those with bad habits to start over. His lessons were fired with enthusiasm, as he patiently schooled participants in the finer points, and it almost seemed as if he cared not a bit that time was passing quickly.

Yao Wei Tao, a former chef from China and “C-Pop Star” contestant, had problems with his high notes. Park Jin Young had a few encouraging words to say to him before launching into his lesson, “If you just fix this problem, you can become a top singer.” The JYP judge laid down on the floor to demonstrate how to vocalize high notes while relaxing, and the two went through the exercise for about 40 minutes until Yao Wei Tao was able to internalize what Park Jin Young was trying to teach him.

Antenna Music’s Yoo Hee Yeol, the incoming judge filling the empty spot left by SM Entertainment’s BoA, hope to “find a ‘musician’ who will keep making music for a long time.” He thinks that if one cannot make one’s world come alive because of one’s troubles, then it will be difficult to make something new or to continue on. He shared this serious conversation with the participants, trying to make them go a level deeper with their musicality.

To the Village Kids, who found their way to the Antenna room, Yoo Hee Yeol did not request for too many changes. While uncertain if their music talent would suffice, he decided to support them since they were having fun with their music. He said, “I think that the aim of music is happiness. You’re shining because you’re having fun. I don’t want to be critical.”

He also told another contestant, Brody, “Even though your basics and singing ability may not be enough, you’re a participant that I want to see more of.” The conversation and lesson continued, and Brody was able to make it through the second round with her confident performance.

According to the production team, “Yang Hyun Suk, Park Jin Young, and Yoo Hee Yeol are music people who have very different personalities, and of course they showed us their different approaches in teaching. With the advice that the three judges have provided, what kind of revelations will the participants have?” The representative requested for the continued support and anticipation for the show’s participants.

“K-Pop Star 3” airs every Sunday at 4:55 PM KST right after SBS “Inkigayo.”