[Sports Seoul | Reporter Lim Jaecheong] Singer Kwak Young-gwang reaffirmed his presence on MBN's Unknown Legends — Trot Men's Ranking Wars and clinched a spot in the semifinals. On episode 9, which aired on the 22nd, Kwak took the stage in both the first-round Team Medley and the second-round Top Ace, showcasing a broad range of strengths.
After earning a Top 5 spot by finishing fifth in a 1-on-1 deathmatch, Kwak formed Team Glory of the Unknown as leader alongside Han Garak, Ji Young-il, and Marcus Kang. All four contestants came from lesser-known backgrounds, and Kwak anchored the group as both leader and its youngest member.
In the Team Medley, Kwak’s wide expressive range stood out across a series of Jeon Young-rok classics. He opened with grand harmonies on "It Seems It's Still a Dark Night," then shifted to a sweeter tone for "Love Is Like Rain Outside the Window," stirring the audience's emotions. For "Evening Glow," he appeared in a leather jacket and delivered a weightier harmony that revealed a different side of his voice.
On "Don't Think," the group raised the energy with lively choreography and distinctive vocals. They closed with "Paper Crane," where, under a pin light, Kwak offered a restrained yet deeply affecting vocal that lingered. Kim Kwang-gyu called the performance "a stage that summoned memories of school days and military service," and original artist Jeon Young-rok praised the remake as "deeply moving."
Building on that momentum, Kwak represented his team in the Top Ace round. He chose Kim Ji-ae's "Heartless Person," written and composed by Jeon Young-rok, and introduced couple choreography and playful charm to show a different facet of his artistry. Jeon Young-rok complimented his rendition and asked where he had found the song. Kwak replied, "I sifted through more than 200 songs to find the one that suited me best," underscoring his dedication to the stage.
Judge Kang Moon-kyung advised Kwak to practice using his head voice to gain more ease and even offered, "If you get the chance, let's study it together," highlighting Kwak’s potential for growth. Although not all members of Team Glory of the Unknown advanced, Kwak was named as an additional qualifier and secured his ticket to the semifinals. Fans are now watching to see what presence he will bring to the next round as he continues to reinvent each performance with fresh concepts. pensier37@sportsseoul.com
