A contestant on JTBC's new boy group audition program 'Project 7' is garnering attention for his ancestry.
On October 18 KST, JTBC launched its very own boy group audition program, 'Project 7', hosted by actor Lee Soo Hyuk.
On this episode, 200 male contestants from all over the world showcased their skills in front of the judges for a chance to earn a "pass" into the next round. It was revealed that only 100 contestants would "pass", while the other 100 would "fail" and go home.
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
The very first contestant to bring out his performance was Yi Chen from China, who impressed the judges at once with his fluency in Korean. The contestant revealed, "I spent about 6 years as a trainee in Korea."
Furthermore, it was revealed that Yi Chen is actually a descendent of Korean independence activist Ahn Joong Geun, stirring up amazement. One of the most well-known martyrs of the Korean independence movement during the Japanese colonial period, Ahn Joong Geun was responsible for the assassination of Itō Hirobumi, then the Japanese Resident-General to the Korean peninsula, in 1909.
Yi Chen explained, "My great-great grandfather was Ahn Myung Geun, a cousin of Ahn Joong Geun who participated in the independence movement along with Ahn Joong Geun."
The contestant also added on, "I do feel pressured at times, because I'm always reminded that I need to live responsibly."
Afterward, Yi Chen showcased an impressive solo performance of NCT Dream's "Beatbox", earning a "pass" from the judges. You cah watch Yi Chen's performance from the first episode of JTBC's 'Project 7', below!