Singer Kangta has officially kicked off promotions in Korea for the first time in 4 years.

The former idol will be serving as a coach on Mnet's 'Voice Korea' alongside Shin Seung Hun, Baek Jiyoung, and Leessang's Gil.

Kangta who will be judging the contestants on their vocal talent alone and remarked, "I have sort of a different mind set and resolution going into this."

"I decided to do the program because I felt that it would further challenge me as a singer," he continued. "But seeing all these talented, young contestants makes me want to create a junior idol group similar to H.O.T."

He continued, "I too, first debuted in the industry as an idol singer and later released a solo album, wrote my own songs, and slowly built experience... And because there are so many new idols that are debuting these days, I feel like my role as an artist and my place in the industry continues to change. I think this program will serve as an opportunity to invest more time and effort into raising junior rookie singers. And when I choose the teams for Voice Korea, I choose the contestants that I feel could really be my own juniors, and my disciples."

Kangta added, "I think unique appeal is very imporant. More than someone who conforms to the styles and trends of today, I pick those who stand out among the rest and can develop their uniqueness over time. I've met a lot of individuals on the show that have these qualities who also sing extremely well. I already have high expectations for them."

The singer reportedly exhibited a more charismatic and sincere side of him during the auditions that viewers have yet to see from him on stage.

The coaches must select the contestants for their teams based on vocal talent alone, without prior knowledge of their background, their individual stories, or their appearances. And apparently, all the contestants that Kangta selected have been extremely unique and different.

Meanwhile, 'The Voice of Korea' is a music survival program which has the exact same format as 'The Voice' in America, and the show was first created in the Netherlands back in September of 2010.

The first episode airs on February 10th at 11:00 PM KST.

Source & Image: DongA via Nate