SBS ‘K-Pop Star’ on February 12 held a ‘battle audition’ to select the final 10 contestants who will perform live.

Last week there were 6 contestants each selected by YG, SM, and JYP Entertainment. This time around the contestants were split into 6 groups, with 3 members from each label. In the battle audition first place winners will get an automatic pass, while third places will be eliminated, second contestants will have another one-on-one stage.

The first group to battle it out was SM Oh Tae Suk, YG Kim Woo Sung and JYP Baek Ji Eung. Second group consisted of SM Lee Michelle, JYP Diana Chen, and YG Baek A-Yeon.

Before the performances begin judges BoA, Yang Hyun Suk and J.Y. Park showed interest in the second group. Especially the battle between Lee Michelle and Baek A-Yeon who has completely different tone and vocal style, the group was called ‘group of death.’

The first contestant to take stage was Diana Chen, who had to practice in the US alone due to personal reason; she sang ‘Take Control’ by Amerie. BoA shared “It wasn’t good.”

Second contestant to take stage was Lee Michelle who sang the sweet ballad “Your Fragrance.” She revealed before the performance that she has difficulty singing high notes due to vocal nodules however despite her worst condition she did her best.

But in the end of the second highlight part she couldn’t help but sing in a split voice which the judges looked sad. JYP noted, “Your voice sounds terrible. You shouldn’t even have done any introduction before the singing. Taking that singly is a big thing for singer. What good is just singing well, there was no earnestness and self-management.”

The last contestant to take stage was Baek A-Yeon who sang Big Bang’s “Day By Day” with her unique pure voice. She reinterpreted the dance music to her own unique style. BoA and Yang Hyun Suk gave her praise and applause however JYP shared, “Today’s vocal and emotion was the worst. You were frowning as you were singing.”

Baek A-Yeon placed first, advancing to the next live stage. However Lee Michelle placed second to perform once again while Diana Chen placed third to leave the show.

Watch Baek A-Yeon’s performance and compare it with Big Bang below.