The original version of I Can See Your Voice (abbreviated ICSYV and also stylized as I Can See Your Voice — Mystery music game show) (Korean: 너의 목소리가 보여; RR: Neoui moksoriga boyeo; MR: Nŏŭi moksorika poyŏ) is a South Korean television mystery music game show that broadcasts originally on Mnet and is simulcasted on tvN. The program's producer Lee Seon-young said she originally envisioned a program that will allow anyone to be the main character regardless of their appearances, and was inspired Kim Bum-soo who struggled to gain recognition because of his look.

On December 20, 2021 announced its return with season 9 and it premiered on January 29, 2022 at 22.40 KST.

 

Format

Presented with a group of six "mystery singers" identified only by their occupation, a guest artist must attempt to eliminate bad singers from the group without ever hearing them sing, assisted by clues and a celebrity panel over the course of three rounds. At the end of the game, the last remaining mystery singer is revealed as either good or bad by means of a duet between them and one of the guest artists.

The original version has two different formats:

  • Original format
Under the original format, the guest artists) can eliminate one or two mystery singers in each round, and the last mystery singer standing will perform a duet.
  • Star Wars format (season 1, final episode only)
Under the "Star Wars" format, ten former mystery singers were separated into two teams. For each round, a mystery singer is chosen for a "showdown". Afterward, voting is done through audience majority, and the votes are accumulated for the winning team.

Rewards

The winning mystery singer is awarded on the following conditions:[5][6]

  • If the singer is good, he/she will have release a digital single. In the fifth-season premiere, the winning singer, regardless of being good or bad, receives a microphone trophy.
  • If the singer is bad, he/she wins ₩5,000,000.

Rounds

Each episode presents the guest artist six people whose identities and singing voices are kept concealed until they are eliminated to perform on the "stage of truth" or remain in the end to perform the final duet.

In mystery singers forming group if one person of the group is the bad singer, entire group is bad singer regardless other people's singing ability.

  • Visual round

The guest artist is given some time to observe and examine each mystery singer based on their appearance.[a][b][c][d] Afterward, a muted video of each mystery singer that reveals only 0.3 seconds of their singing voice is played as an additional hint.[a][b]

Each mystery singer is given two different identities — as a good singer and as a bad singer. Only one of them is their real identity.[e][f][g][h]

The host is given three "keywords" depending on each mystery singer's identity.[i]

  • Introduction round

Each mystery singer introduces to the guest artist and panelists with its own voice. Good singers are telling the truth, while bad singers are allowed to lie to deceive the artist.[a]

  • Lip sync round

Each mystery singer performs a lip sync to a song. Good singers mime to a recording of their own performance, while bad singers mime to a recording of someone's else.[a][b][c]

A mystery singer and a substitute lip sync together in one song. Only one of them is the owner of that recording.[e][f]

The mystery singer lip syncs to the good singer's recording, then a bad singer's recording comes in the middle of the performance.[g][h]

Separated into two phases, the mystery singers perform their lip sync, starting with good singer's recordings first and then bad singer's recordings being the last.[i][d]

  • Interrogation round

The guest artist can converse and ask questions of one of the remaining mystery singers. As before, good singers must answer truthfully, while bad singers might lie.[a]

The guest artist must pick one of three given "keywords" to question one of the mystery singers after detailing additional information about them.[i]

  • Evidence round

A proof of each mystery singer's singing ability (i.e. photo, video, certificates, etc.) is shown on the screen. Good singers have own evidences, while bad singers had their evidences fabricated.[a][b][c]

The hosts have randomly assigned clues about the mystery singer. The guest artist must choose a clue for each mystery singer.[g][h]

  • Rehearsal round

Three random panelists are wearing headphones to listen to a recording of assigned mystery singer that lasts for 15 seconds. Afterward, the panelist defends the mystery singer and convince the guest artist to choose them as the winner.[e][f]

  • Confession round

Each mystery singer has a story of what kind of identity they have if the singer is bad. Good singers may lie, which is true for having their singing experience, while bad singers tell the truth to make everyone believe they can't sing.[d]