Sung Si-kyung Eyes Park Hyo-shin for “Eardrum Boyfriend” Collaboration
K-pop vocalist Sung Si-kyung, affectionately dubbed the “eardrum boyfriend” for his soothing voice, has revealed his top guest wish for his new music program: fellow singer Park Hyo-shin. The sentiment was shared during the production presentation for The Seasons – Sung Si-kyung’s Eardrum Boyfriend, held at the KBS Art Hall in Seoul.
When questioned about his ideal collaborators, Sung Si-kyung expressed a touch of apprehension, stating, “I’m cautious because the other person might feel burdened if I say this.” However, he quickly followed up with his strong desire for Park Hyo-shin to join him. “Someone like Park Hyo-shin would be okay. I hope Park Hyo-shin would appear,” he elaborated. He directly addressed Park Hyo-shin, urging, “Hyo-shin, even Lee So-ra did it. You’re perfect for this. The opportunity is too good. I heard you’re performing, so come and tear it up.”
The program, which marks Sung Si-kyung’s turn as the MC for The Seasons series, promises a unique blend of musical artistry and engaging conversations.
Diverse Musical Aspirations for “The Seasons”
Beyond his personal wish for Park Hyo-shin, the production team has outlined ambitious guest aspirations across various musical landscapes. Bandmaster Jung Dong-hwan expressed a keen interest in inviting pianist Lim Yun-chan, noting a particularly dedicated fan’s eagerness to secure concert tickets. “There’s a fan who tried to book concert tickets before coming here,” Jung Dong-hwan shared. “I definitely want to invite pianist Lim Yun-chan.” His vision extends beyond a single genre, stating, “I want to introduce musicians from various genres, not just classical, but also traditional Korean music and world music.”
Producer Son Ya-ran is focused on creating unexpected musical fusions. “I want to show new music through unexpected combinations, like a duet between Han Ro-ro, who is popular with young people, and Sung Si-kyung,” she suggested. She also revealed ongoing efforts to secure a performance from the renowned vocal group Brown Eyed Soul. “We’ve been continuously sending love calls to Brown Eyed Soul. I hope they would appear just once.” Producer Jung Mi-young underscored the importance of hip-hop influence, emphatically adding, “Yoon Mi-rae is a must.”
A Legacy of Diverse MCs and Sung Si-kyung’s Unique Role
The Seasons has established a tradition of featuring prominent domestic artists as rotating MCs since its inception in 2023. The roster of past hosts includes Jay Park, Choi Jung-hoon, Akmu, Lee Hyori, Zico, Lee Young-ji, Park Bo-gum, and 10cm. As the ninth MC in this esteemed lineage, Sung Si-kyung is anticipated to deliver a special stage that showcases his signature vocal warmth and profound musical sensibility.
A significant highlight of Sung Si-kyung’s tenure will be his weekly duet stages with different artists. Producer Jung highlighted Sung Si-kyung’s proven talent in collaborative performances, noting, “When it comes to Sung Si-kyung, isn’t he a master of duets? He has sung precious duet songs with many artists like IU and Yang Hee-eun.”
Sung Si-kyung himself admitted a degree of surprise at the evolving nature of his role. “Initially, there was no talk of this at all,” he confessed. “I was told I just needed to be the MC, but over time, it somehow turned into this.” He playfully expressed his apprehension about future responsibilities, joking, “I’m really worried about what else they’ll make me do. Broadcasting stations are scary places.”
Premier Episode and Ambitious Outdoor Plans
The inaugural episode of The Seasons – Sung Si-kyung’s Eardrum Boyfriend, scheduled to air on the 27th at 10 p.m. KST on KBS2, will feature a stellar lineup including Lee So-ra, YB, Kim Jo-han, Jung Seung-hwan, and Kwon Jin-a.
Sung Si-kyung expressed his excitement about Lee So-ra’s participation, stating, “As a junior, it’s exciting and great that Lee So-ra has come out again. It felt like gaining ten thousand troops.” Bandmaster Jung Dong-hwan lauded the duet performance between Lee So-ra and Sung Si-kyung, describing it as “too powerful” and asserting, “I can’t think of anyone who could surpass that.”
Looking ahead, Producer Jung revealed plans for ambitious outdoor performances this season. The overwhelming response from potential audience members has been a driving factor. “There are too many applicants sending in stories,” he explained. “Reading the stories, there are so many people who seem like they’d die immediately if they can’t come to Eardrum Boyfriend.” He envisions large-scale events, stating, “Since there are limited seats, I want to perform outdoors in front of 10,000 to 20,000 people. I’m waiting for sponsorship from local universities.”
