KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (2)

케이팝 스타: 이하이 (Lee Hayi, or Lee Ha Yi, or Lee Hai)

She chose to sing Kim Gunmo or Kim Geonmo (김건모) on K-Pop Star's first "live" TV competition (aired a few hours ago in Korea). All I can say is "wow." For it was none other than Kim Gunmo, one of these legendary Korean Gungmin Gasu or Gukmin Gasu (국민가수, "Nation's Singer"). He's got the killer voice which is simply unique, divine yet down-to-earth, with his natural groove mixed with reggae, soul, blues and a hint of Korea's own music, Pansori (판소리). Accordingly, all his songs - especially ballad songs - are easy to listen but just tooooooooooooo hard to sing.

But Lee Hayi did it again. Even though her understated performance of the night failed to get the most votes from the TV audience or the judges she needed to place first, I bet it will grow on you as you listen or watch it.

Kim Gunmo's "Miryeon" (Regrets) (aired on 3/4/12)

BTW, she revealed that her father named her Hayi, wanting her to be "happy for a long, long time" as ha (하, 遐) means "remote, distant, long" and yi (이, 怡) "joyful, delightful, happy." She added she doesn't look as delightful as she really is because she's not good at expressing her emotions.