Asia’s Answer to Eurovision: "Veiled Musician" Vocal Contest Set to Debut
In a bid to showcase regional talent and promote cross-cultural artistry, a pan-Asian vocal contest titled "Veiled Musician" is set to premiere later this year. The show, produced by leading South Korean broadcaster Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), is inspired by the world’s longest-running television music competition, the Eurovision Song Contest.
According to a report by The Korea Herald, a news publication from South Korea, "Veiled Musician" will feature participants from 13 countries, including Korea, Japan, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos. The show will kick off with local competitions in each participating nation, with the top three finalists from each territory advancing to the grand finale, which will be staged in Korea.
One of the unique aspects of "Veiled Musician" is its focus on meritocracy, with personal identifiers such as contestants’ faces and nationalities stripped away, leaving only their vocal talent to shine. The show will be broadcast across major local networks in the participating countries and on SBS.
The production setup of "Veiled Musician" is also noteworthy, as it is a co-produced venture spearheaded by the participating nations, alongside South Korea. This collaborative approach is rare in the broadcasting industry, with Kim Yong-jae, chief revenue officer at SBS’ Prism Studios, claiming that "there aren’t really any broadcasters in other countries that actually do co-productions. They’ve only ever bought the format."
Kim, a veteran of the Korean entertainment industry, is helming the production of "Veiled Musician". He believes that the show will serve as a powerful platform for cultural diplomacy and create music industry connections across Asia. "If we do well together with this kind of content, it’s an amazing opportunity to really elevate our national image," Kim said in an interview with The Korea Herald. "Also, the show’s judges and contestants may even collaborate on producing an album. Our music market could expand as a result as well."
Kim emphasized that a win-win structure was key from the outset, with SBS waiving format fees and offering financial aid to select nations for Season 1. "For the first season, we’re essentially offering support. In fact, we’re planning to provide 100 million won ($73,000) each to countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, since they (the broadcasting companies) are struggling financially."
As SBS’ head of globalizing K-content, Kim has identified Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand as key growth markets. "Among them, Indonesia is the best — it all comes down to population size. For example, the Korean film ‘Miracle in Cell No. 7’ made 20 billion won in Indonesia." Kim is also strategically focusing on Myanmar, where Korean content previously held strong cultural sway.
The Korea Herald reports that Kim believes it is essential to move quickly and localize themselves in these Asian countries, supporting them not just for "Veiled Musician" but also by helping develop their music industries while promoting Korean content. "That’s how they come to think positively of Korean content and Korea as a whole," Kim said.
The debut of "Veiled Musician" marks an exciting development in the music industry, with the potential to promote cultural exchange and cooperation across Asia. As The Korea Herald notes, the show’s success could have a powerful ripple effect, creating new opportunities for music collaboration and export.
Source: www.koreaherald.com
This article is based on a report by The Korea Herald, a leading news publication from South Korea. The original article can be found at: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10506975.
