"Ballad Emperor" Sung Si Kyung successfully captivated viewers with his 180-minute Lunar New Year special concert, securing the top spot in viewership ratings despite recent personal hardships.
Aired on February 14 via SBS, the 'Lunar New Year Special Concert Sung Si-kyung' recorded a 2.7% rating in the key 2049 demographic, ranking first among all variety programs aired that day. The broadcast peaked at 5.2%, proving his enduring popularity. The show featured footage from his 25th-anniversary concert series held late last year, where he performed legendary hits like "On the Street," "The Road to Me," and "Two People". He also surprised fans with a dance duet performance of "Good Goodbye" featuring MAMAMOO's Hwa Sa.
To prepare for the milestone event, Sung Si Kyung revealed he had quit smoking and drinking, stating, "I only thought about this performance. I wanted to make sure this would be the happiest day of the year." Fellow stars, including Yoo Jae Suk, IU, and J.Y. Park, appeared in video messages to praise his voice and discipline, with music critic Im Jin Mo joking, "How does he maintain that voice while drinking so much?"
The success of the broadcast is particularly poignant given the singer's recent struggle with a betrayal by his staff. Last November, it was revealed that Sung Si Kyung had suffered significant financial damage due to embezzlement by a manager he had worked with for over 10 years. At the time, Sung Si Kyung confessed on social media that the shock was so severe he questioned whether he could even stand on stage. Overcoming the emotional toll of the betrayal, he successfully completed the 180-minute show, promising fans, "I will manage myself well so I can sing for a long, long time".
Check out the videos of his special concert show below!
SEE ALSO: Sung Si Kyung thanks fans for sold-out fan meeting, asks fans to avoid scalped tickets
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