KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS’s “K-Pop Star” (3)

케이팝 스타: 이하이 (Lee Hayi, or Lee Ha Yi)

Screen captures from SBS's "K-pop Star" (aired on 3/11/12)

Lee Hayi placed the first overall in the second live competition of SBS’s “K-pop Star.” She said she had chosen to sing Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love” to prove that she could hit high notes – she had received criticism from the judges last time over her loss of confidence in singing higher notes. People have been buzzing about the result though –this contestant was better than Lee, that contestant was robbed, and so on and so forth.

But when you listen to Anita Baker’s original rendition of the song, I bet you will simply recognize Lee's ability to pull off this classic soul song in her own way. I think Baker’s song is plain hard to interpret when you were not raised in African-American culture and when you’re just an amateur singer. Now, close your eyes and enjoy her deep, soulful voice.

Anita Baker's "Sweet Love" (aired on 3/11/12)

Anita Baker: "Sweet Love" (Live)

Here’s what the judges said:

BoA: I like the way Lee tried to overcome her weakness we (judges) had pointed out last week. However, she failed to take the stage with confidence. I hope to see her masterfully and confidently use hand gestures (or body language) when singing on stage.

Yang Hyun Suk (or Yang Hyeonseok): Last week I asked her, “Why are you afraid of high notes?” And she chose a song with high notes and proved that she has them. She challenged herself to work on a song that is not 100% suitable for her to sing and she made it. I surrender!

Park Jin Young (or Park Jinyeong): She hit the high notes really well. Her improvisation – chromatic modulation – struck me dumbfounded. Wow, just wow because I don’t think she did it wittingly. This time, however, she struggled with her (signature) low and mid notes. Plus, when we sing, we should let the music control us. But her performance tonight was the other way round.

KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (1)
KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (2)
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KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (5)
KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (6)
KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (7)

KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (8)

KOREAN MUSIC: Lee Hayi of SBS's K-Pop Star (9)