I Can See Your Voice (South Korean game show) explained

Creator:	Lee Seon-young
Presenter:	Kim Bum-soo (1–3) Leeteuk (Super Junior) (1–10) Yoo Se-yoon (1–10) Kim Jong-kook (4–10)
Starring:	The celebrity panelists (see)
Country:	South Korea
Language:	Korean
Num Seasons:	10
Num Episodes:	Regular: 122 Special: 5 Overall: 127
Producer:	Hwang Na-hye Lee Seon-young
Camera:	Multi-camera
Company:	CJ ENM Signal Entertainment Group
Channel:	Mnet tvN

I Can See Your Voice (abbreviated as ICSYV;) is a South Korean television mystery music game show series.^[1] It aired on Mnet and tvN from February 26, 2015^{[2] [3]} to May 10, 2023, for 10 seasons.

Gameplay

Format

Presented with a group of "mystery singers" identified only by their occupation, a guest artist must attempt to eliminate bad singers from the group without ever hearing them sing, assisted by clues and a celebrity panel over the course of several rounds. At the end of the game, the last remaining mystery singer is revealed as either good or bad by means of a duet between them and one of the guest artists.

The original program has two different game formats:

• Original format

Under the original format, the guest artists can eliminate one or two mystery singers in each round, and the last mystery singer standing will perform a duet.

• Star Wars format (s1 special only)

Ten former mystery singers were separated into two teams. For each round, a mystery singer is chosen for a showdown. Afterward, voting is done through audience majority, and the votes are accumulated for the winning team.

A winning mystery singer is rewarded on following conditions:

• If the singer is good, he/she will have release a digital single; if the singer is bad, he/she wins .
• In the Global Invasion special (of a fifth season), the winning singer, regardless of being good or bad, receives a trophy.

Rounds

Visual rounds

• The guest artist is given some time to observe and examine each mystery singer based on their appearance.
• A muted video of each mystery singer that reveals only 0.3 seconds of their singing voice is played as an additional hint.
• Each mystery singer is given two different identities as a good and bad singer, with one of them is a real identity.
• The host is given three "keywords" based on mystery singer's identity.
• The guest artist is given some time to observe and examine five out of six mystery singers, according to year of birth.

Introduction round

• Each mystery singer self-introduces to guest artist and panelists. Good singers are telling the truth, while bad singers are allowed to lie.

Lip sync rounds

• Each mystery singer performs a lip sync to a song; good singers mime to a recording of their own, while bad singers mime to a recording by someone else.
• A mystery singer and a substitute lip sync together in a single song, with one of them is an owner of that recording.
• The mystery singer lip syncs to the good singer's recording, then a bad singer's recording comes in the middle of the performance.
• All of mystery singers perform their lip sync on separate phases, with the good singers' recordings first, and then the bad singers last.
• Each mystery singer self-introduces to guest artist and panelists and then performs a song, both on lip sync renditions.

Interrogation rounds

• The guest artist may ask questions to the remaining mystery singers. Good singers are required to give truthful responses, while the bad singers must lie.
• The guest artist must pick one of three given "keywords" to question one of the mystery singers after detailing additional information about them.
• Each mystery singer has to confess what kind of identity they have if the singer is bad.

Evidence rounds

• A proof of each mystery singer's singing ability (i.e. photo, video, certificates, etc.) is shown on the screen. Good singers have own evidences, while bad singers had their evidences fabricated.
• The hosts have randomly assigned clues about the mystery singer, and then the guest artist must choose a clue for each one.
• The guest artist is presented with a video package including witnesses reacting to one of the mystery singers when they hear on its own performance that would appear on the show.

Rehearsal round

• Three random panelists are wearing headphones to listen to a recording of assigned mystery singer that lasts for 15 seconds. Afterward, the panelist defends the mystery singer and convince the guest artist to choose them as the winner.

Notes

Background

Creation

In 2012, producer and creator Lee Seon-young planned to develop a singing reality competition show. Besides with initial genre that entirely includes "good singers", she added some unusual elements such as "bad singers", lip sync, and "guessing game" flairs (à la Identity), creating a unique format that would become the "mystery music game show" in the process.^{[4] [5]} Also, she originally envisioned a program that will allow anyone to be the main character regardless of their appearances, inspired by Kim Bum-soo who struggled to gain recognition because of his look.^{[6] [7]}

Production and development

I Can See Your Voice was formally announced as part of the programming lineup for Mnet's 20th founding anniversary in January 2015.^{[8] [1]} The game show is originally produced by CJ ENM, which would later join co-production duties by the Signal Entertainment Group.^[9] According to a presscon for its sixth season, the game show was referred as a "second coming of National Singing Contest" because of its sudden impact on their local music industry.^{[10] [11]}

Filming

Filming of the show took place at various locations, such as in-house CJ ENM studios in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang and Mapo-gu, Seoul.^[12] During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has filmed under implementing health and safety protocols since from seventh to ninth season.^[13] Spectators are now allowed on filmings for the tenth season.

Broadcast history

2015–2016: Yoo Se-yoon, Leeteuk, and Kim Bum-soo era

In a span of three seasons with 38 episodes, the original hosting lineup consists of Yoo Se-yoon, Leeteuk (of Super Junior), and Kim Bum-soo.^[14]

I Can See Your Voice made its debut broadcast on February 26, 2015.^{[2] [3]} Despite the poor reception in its first season, the series was forced to renew for a second season^[15] that premiered on October 22, 2015.^{[16] [17]} In the third season having premiered on June 30, 2016,^{[18] [19]} Kim Bum-soo hosted for the last time, with Davichi playing at the finale on September 15, 2016.^[20]

2017–2023: Yoo Se-yoon, Leeteuk, and Kim Jong-kook era

In a span of seven seasons with 89 episodes, Kim Jong-kook became the new host,^[21] while Lee Sang-min, Cha Tae-hyun, and Hyojung (of Oh My Girl) also appointed as interim hosts.

The fifth season began airing regular episodes on February 2, 2018.^{[22] [23]} It is followed by four consecutive seasons that premiered the same month — sixth season (with Hwang Chi-yeul and Lee Sun-bin) on January 18, 2019,^{[24] [25]} seventh season (with Park Joong-hoon) on January 17, 2020,^{[26] [27]} eighth season (with Rain) on January 29, 2021,^{[28] [29]} and ninth season (with Eun Ji-won (of Sechs Kies), Kim Jong-min, Tiger JK, and Jang Su-won) on January 29, 2022.^{[30] [31]} A tenth season began airing on March 22, 2023, breaking the pattern of "January seasons".^{[32] [33]}

Special episodes

A week after its first season finale, the Star Wars special was aired on May 14, 2015, featuring mystery singers from the past playing on a team-based battle format.^{[34] [35]} As a prelude to the fifth season, Block B played in the Global Invasion special on January 26, 2018, featuring mystery singers from local ICSYV counterparts.^{[36] [37]}

After each season finale, the Postseason Showcases featured mystery singers returning to perform one last time, as well as rankings on mystery singers' performances for the previous seasons.^{[38] [39] [40] [41]}

Cast

The series has a panel of celebrities who assist the guest artist(s) to decipher mystery singers' identities throughout the game. Alongside with mainstays, guest panelists also appear since the first season. Overall, 23 different members have been assigned, with the original lineup being Kim Sang-hyuk (of Click-B), Ben, Julian Quintart, and .

Beside them, subsequent members joining on that lineup also include Han Hee-jun, Lee Sang-min, (from second season); Jang Do-yeon (from third season); Joon Park (of g.o.d), Shindong (of Super Junior) (from fourth season); Jang Dong-min, DinDin (from sixth season);, Sleepy (of Untouchable) (from seventh season); Heo Kyung-hwan, Jang Wooyoung (of 2PM), Hanhae, Mijoo (of Lovelyz) (from eighth season); Eun Ji-won (of Sechs Kies), Kim Na-young (from ninth season); Hwang Chi-yeul, Park Myung-soo, and Jonathan Yiombi (from tenth season).

Cast type:		Seasons
		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px		width=25px
Kim Bum-soo	colspan="7"
	Leeteuk (Super Junior)	colspan="10"
	Yoo Se-yoon	colspan="10"
	Kim Jong-kook	colspan="7"
Kim Sang-hyuk (Click-B)	colspan="10"
	Ben	colspan="8"
	Julian Quintart		colspan="9"
	Yoon Sung-ho		colspan="9"
	Han Hee-jun		colspan="7"
	Lee Sang-min		colspan="2"
	Park Hwi-soon			colspan="8"
	Jang Do-yeon		colspan="5"
	Joon Park (g.o.d)					colspan="3"
	Shindong (Super Junior)	colspan="5"
	Jang Dong-min						colspan="4"
	DinDin	colspan="3"
	Hong Yoon-hwa	colspan="2"
	Sleepy (Untouchable)							colspan="3"
	Heo Kyung-hwan
	Jang Wooyoung (2PM)								colspan="2"
	Hanhae
	Mijoo (Lovelyz)								colspan="2"
	Eun Ji-won (Sechs Kies)
	Kim Na-young
	Hwang Chi-yeul
	Park Myung-soo
	Jonathan Yiombi

Series overview

See main article: List of I Can See Your Voice (South Korean game show) episodes.

Accolades

Event	width=01%	Year	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
	2016	Best Production in Music Category	I Can See Your Voice		^[42] ^[43]
	2023	Studio Entertainment Award	I Can See Your Voice (season 10)		^[44] ^[45]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kim. Jin-seok. [단독]Mnet, '너의 목소리가 보여' 2월 론칭]. JTBC. ko. January 2, 2015. April 27, 2018.
2. Web site: Super Junior's Leeteuk and Yoo Se Yoon Trick Viewers in "I Can See Your Voice" Teaser. Soompi. January 26, 2015. March 18, 2020.
3. Web site: ko:['너의 목소리가 보여' 첫방] 음소거가 만든 반전 추리극 '음치라서 행복해'. http://m.tf.co.kr/read/entertain/1492613.htm. The Fact. Kim. Kyung-min. ko. February 27, 2015. June 5, 2021.
4. Web site: TV 리얼리티 오디션 프로그램에 표현된 모방 연구: JTBC<히든 싱어>와 Mnet. Korea Science. ko. July 30, 2023.
5. Web site: Backstage Pass: How we Made "I Can See Your Voice". K7 Media. Whitehead. Dan. 10 May 2021. 15 May 2021.
6. Web site: 얼굴만으로 음치와 실력자를 가려낼 수 있을까?. Yonhap News Agency. Jeong. Ah-ran. ko. February 24, 2015. July 30, 2023.
7. Web site: Interview: Kim Bum-soo. Zimmer. Cindy. August 22, 2016. June 5, 2021. ATK Magazine.
8. Web site: 개국 20주년 엠넷, '칠전팔기 구해라'로 새해 포문 연다. Sports World. Yoon. Ki-baek. ko. January 7, 2015. July 30, 2023.
9. Web site: 씨그널엔터, '너의 목소리가 보여 시즌3' 제작. Dealsite. Bae. Yohan. ko. May 18, 2016. July 30, 2023.
10. Web site: '너목보5' 시즌10까지 넘보는 Mnet판 전국노래자랑(종합). Newsen. Kim. Ye-hyun. ko. January 26, 2018. August 1, 2023.
11. Web site: Super Junior's Leeteuk says 'I Can See Your Voice' has potential to go on until season 10. Allkpop. mkim93. January 26, 2018. August 1, 2023.
12. Web site: 너목보 방청신청 방법공유!~. Tistory. Kakao. ko. June 17, 2017. August 1, 2023.
13. Web site: '너목보7' 측 "26일 무관중 녹화 진행…코로나19 확산 우려" [공식]]. Maeil Business Newspaper. Shin. Young-eun. ko. February 25, 2020. August 1, 2023.
14. Web site: 김범수-유세윤-이특, '너의 목소리가 보여' MC 발탁. Chosun Ilbo. Kim. Pyo-hyang. ko. February 11, 2015. March 18, 2020.
15. Web site: '너의 목소리가 보여' 피디, "시즌2, 더 큰 반전 있을 것". Chosun Ilbo. March 21, 2020. ko. May 15, 2015.
16. Web site: Lee. Seo-seul. '너의 목소리가 보여2' 유세윤·김범수·이특, 익살 포스터 공개. Newsway. March 21, 2020. ko. October 5, 2015.
17. Web site: '너의 목소리가 보여 시즌2' 고음 도사, 파워풀한 가창력에 신승훈 '당황'…"누가 음치라고 했어?". Newspim. March 21, 2020. ko. October 23, 2020.
18. Web site: '너의 목소리가 보여3' 공식 포스터 공개…업그레이드 된 반전으로 돌아온다. News Inside. March 23, 2020. ko. June 23, 2016.
19. Web site: Lee. Ji-hyun. '너목보3' 박진영편, 동시간대 시청률 1위…역대급 무대 속출!. Chosun Ilbo. March 24, 2020. ko. July 1, 2016.
20. Web site: Song. Yoon-jung. '너목보3' 다비치와 함께 종영, 미오·소울스타·이선빈 등 화제의 인물 양산. The Asia Business Daily. March 23, 2020. ko. September 16, 2016.
21. Web site: Kim Jong Kook joins Mnet's "I Can See Your Voice" as host. Koreaboo. March 24, 2017. January 25, 2017.
22. Web site: Kim. Joo-yoon. '너목보' 백지영 실력자 찾기 성공…시즌1 실패 설욕(종합). News1 Korea. February 2, 2018. February 2, 2018. ko.
23. Web site: Kim. Ye-eun. '너목보5' 백지영, 시즌1 실패 딛고 실력자 찾기 성공(종합). Newsen. February 2, 2018. February 2, 2018. ko.
24. Web site: Kim. Da-eun. [공식] '너목보6', 오는 1월 18일 첫방…김종국X유세윤X이특 재회]. The Korea Economic Daily. ko. December 7, 2018. December 7, 2018.
25. Web site: Oh. Soo-jeong. 첫방 '너목보6', 황치열X이선빈, 음치 색출 성공 '완벽 하모니' [종합]]. Xports News. January 18, 2019. January 18, 2019. ko.
26. Web site: Kim . Soo-kyung. '너목보7', 2020년 1월 17일 첫방...스포츠 스타도 출연한다. Korea Economic Daily. December 23, 2019. December 23, 2019. ko.
27. Web site: Park . Ha-na. 첫방 '너목보7' 박중훈, '비와 당신'으로 최종 듀엣 무대(종합). News1 Korea. January 17, 2020. January 17, 2020. ko.
28. Web site: Lee. Da-gyeom. '너목보8', 1월 29일 첫 방송...김종국·유세윤·이특 티저 공개. Star Today. December 15, 2020. January 3, 2021. ko.
29. Web site: Choi. Jeong-eun. '너목보8' 비, QOQ 정철 최종 선택.. 울컥 "간절했던 20대 정지훈이 생각나" [종합]]. OSEN. January 29, 2021. January 29, 2021. ko.
30. Web site: '너의 목소리가 보여 시즌9', 내년 1월 29일 첫방 확정. The Dong-a Ilbo. Hong. Se-young. ko. December 20, 2021. December 20, 2021.
31. Web site: January 29, 2022. '너목보9' 첫방에 김종민 댄스팀 후배 출연 "김종민 귀감이었다". January 30, 2022. Maeil Business Newspaper. ko.
32. Web site: ko:'너의 목소리가 보여 10' 3월 22일 첫 방송 확정+티저 공개. https://m.mydaily.co.kr/new/read_amp.php?newsid=202302221432618523. MyDaily. Noh. Han-bin. ko. February 22, 2023. February 23, 2022.
33. Web site: Jeong. Han-bi. March 22, 2023. 첫방 '너목보10' 신효범, '포텐싱어'로 깜짝 출연→대만 카운터테너 주유승 '최종 1인'(종합). March 22, 2023. Herald Pop. ko.
34. Web site: 너의 목소리가 보여, 막내작가 이진희와 유기농 굼벵이의 대결…김범수 반응은?. Kim. Jo-geon. Maeil Business Newspaper. May 15, 2015. March 20, 2020. ko.
35. Web site: '너의 목소리가 보여', 동성로 윤미래 어땠길래…이특 바지 찢어진 사연? . Entertainment Today. March 21, 2020 . ko . May 15, 2015.
36. Web site: Lee . Jeong-hyun. 엠넷 '너목보5' 26일 첫 방송…글로벌 특집. Yonhap News Agency. January 4, 2018. January 4, 2018. ko.
37. Web site: Choi . Seo-young. [★밤TView]'너목보5' 블락비, 글로벌 음치 색출 성공]. Star News. January 26, 2018. January 27, 2018. ko.
38. Web site: Kim. Nara. [夜TV] '너목보'가 발굴한 역대 ★…'시즌5 기대할 수밖에']. My Daily. March 26, 2020. ko. July 7, 2017.
39. Web site: Kim. Joo-yoon. '너목보5' 스페셜 방송…다시 보고 싶은 레전드 미스터리 싱어(종합). News1 Korea. April 27, 2018. April 27, 2018. ko.
40. Web site: Kim. Young-rok. "꽃길만 걸어요"…'너목보5'는 사랑입니다 [종합]]. Chosun Ilbo. April 27, 2018. April 27, 2018. ko.
41. Web site: Jo. Kyung-yi. "꿈을 향한 징검다리" '너목보5' 최종회, 뭉클한 감동[종합]]. OSEN. April 27, 2018. April 27, 2018. ko.
42. News: Go. Hong-joo. Heo. Jeong-min. ko:박해진 웃고 '응팔' 싹쓸이..'케이블대상' 빛낸 사람들(종합). http://enews24.tving.com/news/article.asp?nsID=1025107. ENews24. March 25, 2016. November 30, 2019. ko.
43. News: Park. Pan-seok. '케이블대상', 박해진·신동엽 수상..tvN 강세 속 '응팔' 대상[종합]]. OSEN. March 25, 2016. November 30, 2019. ko.
44. Web site: Rose d'Or 2023 Nominees Announced. Rose d'Or. 6 November 2023. 7 November 2023.
45. Web site: Winners of 62nd Rose d'Or awards announced. Rose d'Or. 28 November 2023. 13 December 2023.