On the latest episode of SBS's 'K-Pop Star', contestant Baek Ah Yeon outperformed Michelle Lee with her re-arrangement of Big Bang's 'Haru Haru', allowing her to score first place in her group.

This recent event marked a huge turning point for Baek Ah Yeon on the audition show. Baek Ah Yeon has been in a major slump for the past couple rounds, receiving harsh criticism from the judges for her inability to deliver a rich sound in her songs. She was nearly eliminated in the previous episode, but Yang Hyun Suk decided to give her another chance.

Grateful for the second opportunity, Baek Ah Yeon stepped up her game with her cover of Big Bang's 'Haru Haru'. The song, which normally emits a rough and fast-paced beat, was softened by Baek Ah Yeon's piano and her delicate voice.

Yang Hyun Suk, who trained the contestant under his label, didn't hold back on his compliments and praised Baek Ah Yeon in a separate interview. "Baek Ah Yeon knew she had a malicious case of lymphoma. She overcame that. She had to be strong."

Michelle Lee, who was placed in the same group as Baek Ah Yeon, was the second to perform that day after Diana Chen. Many were expecting Michelle to claim first place since she's one of the strongest contestants on the show alongside Park Ji Min.

However, she made quite a few mistakes in her performance of Yoo Young Jin's "Your Fragrance". The judges were unimpressed, and handed Michelle the second spot.

After watching, viewers commented, "Her performance was above Michelle Lee's. Talent is important, but modesty is also an asset" and "I'm seeing Baek Ah Yeon in a new light! So proud of her~"

Top winners of today's round will automatically advance to the next round with the top ten, while runner-ups in each group will have to face off in another battle to secure a spot.

Check out the performances of these two below.  Do you think the judges' decisions were correct?

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<Baek Ah Yeon>




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<Michelle Lee>



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Source + Photos: Osen