Born To Sing

The National Singing Contest is set to be filmed in Gimhae, signaling a new wave of local opportunities and pressure. Locals scramble to apply, hoping a televised stage could change their fortunes. The city becomes a practical hub for auditions, rumors, and informal talent scouts.

Bong-nam, a financially inept, socially awkward man, decides to try out for the contest. He keeps the plan secret from his wife Mi-ae, adding tension to their daily routine. His lifelong dream to sing drives him to take this bold step.

Bong-nam delivers a stunning performance at the preliminaries, making him the talk of the town. He becomes an overnight star among middle-aged women in Gimhae. The performance marks the start of his unexpected rise in the competition.

Hyun-ja, Mi-ae's younger sister, enters the contest to promote a local health drink and enlists Dong-soo's help. Her motives align with the product's visibility on national TV. The collaboration brings romance and corporate strategy into the competition.

Mayor Joo Ha-na runs for reelection and thinks an appearance in the contest could boost her campaign. Her tone-deaf performance undermines the tactic and foreshadows potential missteps. The episode demonstrates the messy intersection of politics and entertainment.

Maeng, the city hall section chief, is tasked with supporting production but faces pressure from the mayor to include Ha-na in the show. He navigates bureaucratic hurdles while trying to keep the project on track. The dynamic hints at backstage maneuvering behind a major broadcast.

Bo-ri helps her forgetful grandfather rehearse for the audition, but he keeps forgetting the lyrics. The struggle underscores their bond and the lengths they go to for a chance at the contest. The moment blends humor with genuine emotion as they prepare.

Bo-ri's mother arrives with plans to immigrate to Canada, adding friction to the audition plan. The grandfather is determined to join the contest to leave a lasting memory for his granddaughter. This motive intensifies the family stakes in the contest.

Filming in Gimhae ramps up, bringing a wave of production crews, crowds, and schedule demands. The contest's presence reshapes daily life in the city as locals adjust to the televised event. It marks a turning point where the town becomes a stage for many aspiring stories.

After the prelims, Bong-nam grows as a talking point among the town's middle-aged women. He negotiates new attention alongside his ordinary life as a driver and salon assistant. The surprising fame challenges his self-perception and family dynamics.

Hyun-ja's promo-driven participation deepens with Dong-soo's involvement, weaving product marketing into the show's narrative. Their relationship adds a personal dimension to the contest's corporate backdrop. The subplot expands the social fabric around the competition.

The project’s backstage politics and the presence of celebrities, officials, and hopefuls surface as filming continues in Gimhae. The timeline highlights how a single televised event intertwines dreams, politics, and local pride. The city remains a living stage as multiple stories unfold.