Singer Lee Hyo-lee, 28, will host the 2007 MBC College Pop Festival for the fifth consecutive time Oct. 6 at the Cheonan campus of Dankook University. First staged 30 years ago in 1977, the national singing competition annually showcases young talent as college students present original songs. More than just a competition, the festival long established itself as a symbol of youth.
This year, Lee Hyo-lee will act as MC alongside actor Cha Tae-hyeon, with whom she hosted the festival for the first time in 2003. The former member of girl band Fin.k.l has become synonymous with the word sexy in Korea ever since her solo debut in 2003.
But Lee is also highly popular for her frank demeanor. Her carefree speech has garnered positive reaction from viewers, inviting the pop star year after year to host the program. She emceed the festival with Kim Je-dong in 2004 and then with comedian Kim Yong-man the following year.
A total of 12 groups will compete in this year's competition. Rocker Lee Seung-whan, sexy singer Ivy, ballad crooner Sung Si-kyung and hip-hop group DJ DOC will perform as guest stars.
The College Pop Festival has also acted as a breeding ground for rising stars: Veteran singers Bae Chul-su and No Sa-yeon as well as rockers Kim Kyong-ho and Shin Hae-chul, for example, are past winners. Bae Chul-su will judge this year's competition alongside singers Yang Hee-eun and Yoon Gun and musical star Park Hae-mi among others.
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