Singapore, 1 September 2012 – It was a sight to behold at the first round of Singapore auditions for tvN K-Pop Star Hunt S2 at StarHub Green today. More than 400 aspiring K-Pop stars turned up for the auditions, all ready to flaunt their vocal talents and dance moves. Apart from the 150 shortlisted contestants from 1000 submitted video entries,the event saw an additional 309 candidates streaming in for the walk-in auditions─a new element introduced to offer more opportunities for endeavouring performers.
From the massive pool of talents, only the best 16 candidates were selected to battle it out at the second audition ─a public performance at Plaza Singapura tomorrow, 2 September 2012 at 1.30pm. The top two Singapore winners will be selected for professional training with CUBE Entertainment and compete in the regional’s finals for K-Pop superstardom!
The second season of Singapore’s leg of the competition not only witnessed a larger crowd, it also attracted contestants beyond the sunny island. 20 year-old aspiring male singer, Rendy Lauwady, is amongst a couple of Indonesians who flew down to Singapore specially for today’s auditions. The suave young man, who looks up to Jun Ho of South Korea’s popular boy band 2PM, had made it through to the second round. He enthused, “I can’t believe I did it! This is my first time in Singapore and also my first time joining tvN K-Pop Star Hunt! I’m so glad I was chosen. tvN K-Pop Star Hunt gave me the chance of a lifetime to fulfill my dreams.”
While some were auditioning as first-timers, a couple of familiar faces were spotted at this year’s competition to try out again for this highly popular talent show. Singapore winners of tvN K-Pop Star Hunt S1, Maressa Zahirah and Jasmine Tan, were also seen amongst the crowd, giving support to their friends who are competing.
One of the judges, Mr. Eddy Tan, Vice President, Programming of tvN, [V] and Star World, Fox International Channels (FIC) commented, “The finalists we picked this year stood out from the rest because of their talents. I look forward to these contestants exuding their unique personalities at the second stage of the Singapore auditions tomorrow.”
Charlene Chua, 11, is one of the youngest contestants at the auditions today. She beat more than 100 older competitors to head to the second round of auditions tomorrow. Her mother, 44-year old homemaker, Madam Tan Ting Ting, was present to support her daughter in her pursuit of stardom. She said, “I totally support Charlene to pursue her dreams as a K-pop star. I even encourage her to watch K-pop music videos every time I chance upon those that I like. Charlene is a talented girl and I’m very happy she took the first step to enter tvN K-Pop Star Hunt S2, after seeing the advertisement on tvN. Even if she doesn’t win, it’s okay. This competition will be a very good experience for her.”
Sitting amongst the panel of esteemed judges for the Singapore audition on 2 September would include Mr. Eddy Tan, Vice President, Programming of tvN, [V] and Star World, Fox International Channels (FIC); Mr. Park Jae-Hyun, General Department Head of Rookie Development Division, CUBE Entertainment; Founder and CEO of FLY Entertainment, Ms. Irene Ang; as well as pioneering K-Pop super band, H.O.T.’s Tony An.
To witness the contestants’journey to stardom, stay tuned to tvN K-Pop Star Hunt S2 which will premiere on Saturday, 24 November 2012 on tvN, StarHub TV Ch. 824/ 874 (HD).
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The Top 16 Finalists Revealed
1. Samiare Thien Hin Wen (20)
2. Michelle Wong Su Yi (20)
3. Charlene Chua (11)
4. Mavis Goh Tze Jing (20)
5. Fu Qiao Han (17)
6. Anthea Wang Yi Thong (16)
7. Chloe Pek Si Yin (20)
8. Hayley Woo Jia Yi (21)
9. Chua Jia Hang Yvonne (22)
10. Tara Lynette Elliott (22)
11. Eekie Teo (19)
12. Lerene Tong Ching Shuen (14)
13. Shobanah Mutiah (17)
14. Lin Chin Hung Mio (19)
15. Rendy Lauwady (20)
16. Akif Halqi (16)
Remember to head to Plaza Singapura tomorrow (2nd September), 1.30pm to witness the birth of the Top 2 that will represent Singapore in the 2nd Season of tvN K-Pop Star Hunt.