"This is my first time on a music show like this"…'The Scout', The Birth of a Growth-Type Audition (Press Conference)

[Dispatch=Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] "This is my first time doing a program like this." Singer Lee Seung-chul is consolidating 40 years of know-how in the music industry. Materials created from a musician's heart announced the birth of a different growth-oriented music project. He also participated directly in planning and production. Age, circumstances, background—everything is blind. Participants are selected based solely on ability, and growth is supported. Lee Seung-chul revealed, "I've been planning this for two years because I wanted to create jewels with systems tailored to each rough diamond." 'The Scout' held a production presentation on the 29th at Cube Convention Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Lee Seung-chul, Kim Jae-joong, Wendy, DAY6's Young K, and Choo Sung-hoon were in attendance. 'The Scout' is a growth-oriented music project. Top experts in the music industry directly discover rough diamonds who have yet to fully showcase their talent, and present them with new direction and possibility. In four fields—composition, visuals, style, and physicality—top directors and trainers conduct personalized training tailored to each muse. They help bring about dramatic makeovers. Lee Seung-chul said, "While serving as a judge on many audition programs, there was something unsatisfying," and explained the planning motivation: "It was regrettable that contestants would compete—one given a song as a mission, someone good at high notes versus a friend with charming low tones." "I felt it was unfortunate that elimination and survival were decided by that one song. What I felt while shooting episode after episode was 'this is really good.' The kids are following along well, and I'm feeling rough diamonds becoming jewels." (Lee Seung-chul) Lee Seung-chul, Kim Jae-joong, Young K, and Wendy take on the role of Masters. Kim Jae-joong said, "It's the most unique among competition programs. In typical competition programs, if you make a mistake, there's no chance whatsoever and you're eliminated, but our program is management that shows growth." Wendy likewise said, "It's really different from other audition programs. It doesn't end at watching the stage, giving scores, and providing feedback—we establish direction and think through things together. This is my first time experiencing such a process, so I think it's a good program." Young K added, "I like sharing the know-how I've gained. Rather than picking or selecting people, it's a program that can focus on growth, so it seems it can be more helpful to the muses. I'm doing my best in my position." Choo Sung-hoon joined as the Physical Master. "I was surprised to be cast on a music broadcast as a fighter. But they said it would be good to help the muses with stamina and mental strength when they perform on big stages. So I'm also providing a lot of mental support to the friends." Sixteen muses were selected through blind tests. Lee Seung-chul, Kim Jae-joong, Young K, and Wendy each take charge of four muses to help with their reboot. Kim Jae-joong emphasized, "We were in a position to be chosen. I'm helping the four I'm in charge of with the mindset of really wanting to save them." With hopes for good results, they also taught harshly. Kim Jae-joong revealed, "I'm always on calls with muses until dawn and talk with them. So it sometimes comes out more emotionally. We also meet privately and talk about various things. There are times I wish the camera captured even those things." Wendy said, "I'm calling my muses once every two days. Since I'm directing for the first time in areas like directing, arranging, and direction, we work it out together," and shared, "The muse friends said, 'This kind of program seems to be a first.'" The four Masters handle everything from teaching the 16 muses to directing their stages. Lee Seung-chul said, "Inevitably because it's a competitive structure, there was a lot of caution about what the other masters were doing," but was confident: "Our team will likely have changed the most." The goal of 'The Scout' is to create solo singers. The Masters transform the 16 muses, and they are evaluated in live broadcasts. The judging method reflects 100% of public voters' votes. Lee Seung-chul explained, "They're evaluated as rough diamonds without revealing age or circumstances. Sixteen new songs will be released. The eight who advance to the quarterfinals will go directly into a concert tour and undergo album production and single debut." Plans are already in place through season four. Lee Seung-chul said, "Season two aims to select solo male singers, season three aims for a band, and season four aims for female singers. We designed it this way because it seems more focused than mixing male and female ratios." Through this process, the Masters also grew together. Young K asked, "I received various training as a trainee for six years. You'll be able to see almost all of it in 'The Scout.' Please watch with warm hearts thinking, 'There was such footwork and effort.'" Kim Jae-joong said, "I did this with affection. I really hope these friends do well," and appealed to viewers: "Our strength alone isn't enough. Interest and love are needed. Please support us." Finally, Lee Seung-chul added, "It's a story of young stars created by stars. Please watch the kids grow and rough diamonds transform into jewels. You'll see the ultimate in detail." Meanwhile, 'The Scout' begins its first broadcast on ENA on the 8th of next month at 8 p.m., airing every Friday thereafter.

Who Wins? You Decide on MURAPOP

by. TaeYun Jeong