‘3.55 million view timbre goddess’ Choi Yeo-won is expressing extreme anxiety ahead of the semi-finals, raising concerns. Also, predictions are pouring in regarding ‘non-major band’ The Tissue that they “will be eliminated in the semi-finals”, raising curiosity.

The ‘TV Chosun University Song Festival’, which will air at 10 p.m. on the 5th, will reveal the heated scene of the ‘TOP 10 Decision’, the last gateway to the finals, the semi-finals.

In the first half of the semi-finals that aired last week, ‘Dongguk University Musical Prince’ Hwang Geon-woo ranked first place in the judges‘ scores. Indeed, much attention is being paid to whether Hwang Geon-woo will be able to maintain his ranking until the end, or whether new powerhouses will replace him in the rankings.

In the midst of all this, Seoul Institute of the Arts’ Choi Yeo-won, who has impressed the judges and viewers since the first round with her ‘flawless tone’ and ‘unique aura’, expressed extreme anxiety ahead of the semi-finals.

In particular, Choi Yeo-won is proving the public‘s high interest with her single short-form ‘The Road to Spring’ from the first round surpassing 3.55 million views. Although she could have gained confidence from the rave reviews and high scores, Choi Yeo-won revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes story, saying, “I practiced while looking at the judges’ photos because I was nervous.” Choi Yeo-won also confessed her hidden feelings, saying, “It‘s easier to fall from a high position.” Attention is being paid to what kind of image Choi Yeo-won will show on stage under the pressure of tension and scores.

In the previous 3rd round ‘1:1 Death Match’, Kyunghee University’s The Tissue, who caused an unprecedented ‘group refusal of the judges to judge’ and a ‘miracle of passing together’ with Kyunghee University + Howon University band Sang-hyun, were evaluated as ‘weak” by the participating teams, causing surprise.

The Tissue is a band made up entirely of non-major members, and in the participating teams‘ interviews, they were mentioned several times as “a team that would be eliminated in the semi-finals”. With such competitors watching right in front of them, The Tissue put on a trembling performance, and Kim Eana gave an unexpected comment, “Where did you sell your soul”?

Meanwhile, when Lee Jong-hoo, the vocalist of The Tissue, said that he had to quit his part-time job recently due to the filming schedule for ‘TV Chosun University Song Festival’, Jeon Hyun-moo asked, “Don’t the members help you financially?”.

When Lee Jong-hoo replied, “There was absolutely no help whatsoever”, Jeon Hyun-moo advised, “Relationships like that last”, causing laughter.

The college students‘ ‘Final Choice’ to advance to the final round, the ‘TV Chosun University Song Festival’ semi-finals, which are full of twists and surprises, will air at 10 p.m. on the 5th.

(Photo courtesy of = TV Chosun University Song Festival)

Jo Sung-woon, Donga.com reporter madduxly@donga.com