The reason why Kim Yong-bin's eyes welled up while singing 'Friend'

Kim Yong-bin's eyes welled up with tears as he sang Cho Yong-pil's "Friend" on 'Friday Gold.' It wasn't just a scene defined by an emotional song choice. It was a moment where a singer, now at an age where friends are getting married and scattering into their own lives, brought out his own story through an old song.

Choosing 'Friend' While Thinking of Friends

In the 25th episode of TV CHOSUN's 'Friday Gold' aired on the 12th, Kim Yong-bin faced off against Oh Yu-jin. Oh Yu-jin took the stage first with Park Nam-jung's "Woman," while Kim Yong-bin chose Cho Yong-pil's "Friend." Before his performance, he said, "My friends are getting married. Once they marry, they won't be able to meet as much because they'll be having babies and raising children." He then explained his reason for the song choice, revealing his inner thoughts that time seems to never wait for anyone.

'Friend' is a song where the weight of the words must reach the listener before any great vocal technique. Rather than pushing his voice, Kim Yong-bin chose to deliver the lyrics clearly. Even in the official clip, the focus of the stage is not on showcasing high notes, but on the breath and gaze that seem to call out to a friend. The redness around his eyes after the song was closer to a natural lingering emotion rather than an exaggerated performance.

A Scene That Lasted Longer Than the Score

Looking only at the result of the competition, the stage that day was a victory for Oh Yu-jin. Oh Yu-jin received 94 points, while Kim Yong-bin remained at 92 points. However, the story left by the broadcast was closer to the reason for the song choice than the numbers. Park Nam-jung mentioned that "Friend" was one of the songs that played a major role in his debut as a singer. It was a moment where a junior trot singer reinterpreted a special song for a senior singer through the emotions of his own generation.

It was also notable that Kim Yong-bin boosted the mood with tap dancing before his stage. After starting with bright gestures, he immediately shifted the atmosphere with a song about friends and time. This contrast made the emotions of the stage even more distinct. Although it was a competitive stage within a variety show, laughter and loneliness passed by together within a single song.

'Friday Gold' Captures the Real-Life Sentiment of Trot

'Friday Gold' highlights singing competitions between trot singers, but this scene gained strength because the story outside the song was clear. A friend's marriage, the daily life where meetings decrease, and the desire to hold onto passing time are not stories known only to a specific fandom. Kim Yong-bin placed those ordinary feelings onto Cho Yong-pil's song, and viewers came to remember that reason before the score sheet.

The next checkpoint is what kind of songs Kim Yong-bin will use to reveal more of his own story in the future. While he has sufficiently shown his presence through powerful trot stages alone, 'Friend' was a stage that demonstrated he can leave a longer-lasting impression when he pours his emotions into his singing.