Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Masked Singer.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Masked Singer
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2020) |
| Masked Singer | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Wonwoo Park |
| Original work | King of Mask Singer |
| Owner | MBC Entertainment |
| Years | 2015–present |
| Films and television | |
| Television series | Masked Singer (independent international versions, see below) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Genre | |
| First aired | 18 February 2015 |
Masked Singer is an international music reality game show franchise. It originated from the South Korean program The King of Mask Singer, developed by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation.
Format
[edit]The format features celebrities who perform a song anonymously in elaborate masks or head-to-toe costumes. The panelists will then guess the identity based on clues the singers give about themselves. After their performances, the singers are voted by the audiences in each round while the panelists do not participate in the vote. The singer who receives the fewest votes in each round is unmasked and eliminated until the winner is declared.
The participating celebrities can come from various different occupational backgrounds. The original South Korean series features various musicians, actors or actresses, and comedians. The singers of the American series have spanned further up to the range of Grammy Award winners, professional video gamers, YouTube influencers and professional athletes.
The voting system may also be different based on the program's country. In Armenia, Austria, the Netherlands, the United States and the UK, the votes are limited to the live studio audience members due to the show being pre-recorded. In Germany and Italy, votes are open to all viewers because the show is live. The Swedish format provides simulated live voting without the ability to actually affect the pre-recorded show, which was criticised as deceptive when it was noted after the show's second week.[1]
The original South Korean series King of Mask Singer is a continuous, episode-by-episode format, in which the winner is decided after each tournament that lasts two weekly episodes. In the final round of each tournament, the finalist singer must face-off the previous bi-weekly winner to take over the champion title. The program thus focuses on how long the one can defend the champion title.[2][3] In comparison, most of the other international versions have been following the seasonal format in which the winner is declared after a single season tournament that lasts from few months to about a year. The international programs consequently focus on who the champion is after the months to year-long tournament.
The first unofficial winner of the franchise was Solji of the South Korean girl group EXID who won in the pilot episode of the original South Korean King of Mask Singer series aired on 18 February 2015. The first official winner of the franchise was Luna of the K-Pop girl group f(x) who was declared as the winner of the first ever tournament held in the original South Korean series on 12 April 2015.
From the Chinese series, which was the first adaptation of the South Korean show to be launched outside South Korea with a seasonal format, the Chinese singer Sun Nan became the first winner outside the original South Korean series on 27 September 2015 after the two months long first season.
The Thai series was the first version of the franchise with annual seasons. The Thai singer Issara Kitnitchi, under the name "Durian", became the first winner to win an annual season format from the second ever franchise to be launched outside South Korea on 23 March 2017. The most recent winner is Shaxriyor, who won the 1st Uzbekistani season as "Tiger".
International versions
[edit]- Franchise with a currently airing series or season
- Franchise with an upcoming season
- Franchise with an unknown status
- Franchise awaiting confirmation
- Franchise that has ended
| Country/region | Local title | Network | Seasons and winners | Panelists | Host(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Arab world
|
The Masked Singer - Inta meen? (The Masked Singer - Who are you?) |
MBC 1 |
|
|
|
 Argentina
|
¿Quién es la máscara? (Who is the Mask?) |
Telefe |
|
|
|
 Armenia[5]
|
Դիմակահանդես (Masquerade) |
AMPTV[6] |
|
|
|
 Australia[9]
|
The Masked Singer | Network Ten |
|
|
|
 Austria
|
The Masked Singer Austria | Puls 4 |
|
|
|
 Azerbaijan[11]
|
Maska (Mask) |
İTV |
|
|
|
 Belgium (Flanders)[12]
|
The Masked Singer | VTM |
|
|
|
 Brazil
|
The Masked Singer Brasil | TV Globo |
|
|
|
 Bulgaria
|
Маскираният певец (The Masked Singer) |
NOVA TV |
|
|
|
 Cambodia
|
The Mask Singer Cambodia | Hang Meas HDTV |
|
|
|
 Canada (Quebec)[13][14]
|
Chanteurs masqués | TVA |
|
|
|
 Chile
|
¿Quién es la máscara? | Chilevisión |
|
|
|
 China(Mandarin) |
King of Mask Singer | JSTV |
|
||
| Mask Singer |
|
| |||
| Masked Dancing King |
|
| |||
 Colombia
|
¿Quién es la máscara? | RCN |
|
| |
 Croatia[15]
|
Masked Singer | RTL |
|
|
|
 Czechia Slovakia[18]
|
Zlatá maska (Golden mask) |
Prima JOJ |
|
|
|
 Denmark[19]
|
Hvem holder masken? (Who keeps their mask on?, lit. "Who keeps/holds the mask?") |
TV2 |
|
|
|
 Estonia[21]
|
Maskis laulja (Masked Singer) |
TV3 |
|
|
|
 Finland[22]
|
Masked Singer Suomi | MTV3 |
|
|
|
 France[24]
|
Mask Singer | TF1 |
|
|
|
 Georgia
|
ვინ ვინ არის (Who is who) |
Imedi Media Holding |
|
|
|
 Germany[27]
|
The Masked Singer | ProSieben |
|
|
|
| The Masked Dancer |
|
||||
 Greece[28]
|
The Masked Singer | Skai TV |
|
||
 Hungary
|
Álarcos énekes (Masked Singer) |
RTL |
|
|
|
 Indonesia
|
The Mask Singer Indonesia | GTV |
|
| |
 Israel
|
הזמר במסכה (The Singer in the Mask) |
Channel 12 |
|
|
|
 Italy
|
Il cantante mascherato (The Masked Singer) |
Rai 1 |
|
|
|
 Japan[30]
|
The Masked Singer Japan | Amazon Prime Video Japan |
|
|
|
 Kazakhstan
|
Маска (Mask) |
Current TV7 (3-) Former Khabar (1-2) |
|
Current Ardak Kassymkhan (3-) Former Zhakhan Utargaliev (1-2) | |
 Latvia
|
Balss Maskā (Masked Voice) |
TV3 |
|
|
|
 Lithuania
|
Kaukės (Masks) |
LNK |
|
|
|
 Malaysia[35]
|
The Masked Singer Malaysia | Astro Warna |
|
|
|
 Malta[36]
|
The Masked Singer Malta | TVM |
|
|
|
 Mexico[37]
|
¿Quién es la máscara? (Who is the Mask?) |
Las Estrellas |
|
|
|
 Mongolia
|
The Masked Singer Mongolia | Central Television |
|
|
|
 Myanmar
|
The Mask Singer Myanmar | MRTV Entertainment |
|
|
|
 Netherlands[27]
|
The Masked Singer | RTL 4 |
|
|
|
 New Zealand
|
The Masked Singer NZ[38] | Three |
|
|
|
 Norway[39]
|
Maskorama | NRK1 |
|
|
|
 Panama
|
¿Quién es la Máscara? | TVN |
|
|
Pablo Brustein |
 Peru
|
La Máscara (The Mask) |
Latina Televisión |
|
|
Mathías Brivio |
 Philippines[40][41]
|
Masked Singer Pilipinas | TV5 |
|
|
|
 Poland[42][43]
|
Mask Singer | TVN |
|
|
|
 Portugal[44][45]
|
A Máscara (The Mask) |
SIC |
|
|
|
 Romania
|
Masked Singer România
(The Masked Singer Romania) |
Pro TV |
|
|
|
 Russia[46]
|
Маска (Mask) |
NTV |
|
|
|
| Маска. Танцы (The Masked Dancer) |
STS |
|
|||
 South Africa[47]
|
The Masked Singer | SABC |
|
|
|
 South Korea
|
King of Mask Singer | MBC |
|
|
|
 Spain[48]
|
Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta (Mask Singer: Guess Who Sings) |
Antena 3 |
|
|
|
 Sweden
|
Masked Singer Sverige[52] | TV4 |
|
|
|
 Switzerland
|
The Masked Singer Switzerland | ProSieben Schweiz |
|
|
|
 Thailand
|
The Mask Singer | Workpoint TV |
|
| |
 Turkey[64]
|
Maske Kimsin Sen? (Mask, who are you?) |
Fox |
|
||
 Ukraine[65]
|
Маска (Mask) |
Ukraina |
|
||
 United Kingdom[66]
|
The Masked Singer | ITV |
|
|
|
| The Masked Dancer |
|
| |||
 United States
|
The Masked Singer | Fox |
|
|
|
| The Masked Dancer |
|
||||
 Uruguay[71]
|
¿Quién es la Máscara? (Who is the Mask?) |
Teledoce |
|
|
|
 Uzbekistan[72]
|
Maska (Mask) |
FTV |
|
|
|
 Vietnam
|
Mặt nạ Ngôi Sao (The King of Mask Singer)[73][74] |
HTV7 |
|
| |
| Ca sĩ mặt nạ (The Mask Singer Vietnam) |
HTV2 |
|
|
|
Spin-off: The Masked Dancer
[edit]On 7 January 2020, at the winter Television Critics Association press tour, Fox Alternative Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television announced that they had ordered a spin-off series, The Masked Dancer, with Ellen DeGeneres as executive producer. DeGeneres had previously conducted The Masked Dancer as a recurring segment of her syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, as a self-admitted parody of The Masked Singer. DeGeneres stated that the show was "gonna be just as fun and suspenseful", but "with a lot more krumping."[78][79] On 28 October 2020, it was announced that Craig Robinson would host, the panelists would be Ken Jeong, Paula Abdul, Brian Austin Green, and Ashley Tisdale, and the show would premiere on 27 December 2020.
In 2020, a Chinese version of The Masked Dancer aired, Masked Dancing King (蒙面舞王). The winner was singer Meng Meiqi, competing as " The queen who does not wear a crown" (女王不戴冠).[80]
In early February 2021, ITV acquired the rights to produce The Masked Dancer UK. On 4 March 2021, it was announced that ITV had commissioned the spin-off series. The series had 12 contestants competing through seven episodes, and was hosted by Dommett, with Ross, Gilligan, McCall, and Oti Mabuse serving as panellists.[81][82] It aired in late spring 2021,[83] filling in for Britain's Got Talent, which had its series 15 postponed until 2022 due to health and safety reasons concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[84]
In June 2021, EndemolShine Germany announced that the show would begin airing in Germany, so far it has been announced when and where the German version of The Masked Dancer would be shown.[85]
References
[edit]- ^ "Röstningsbluffen i "Masked singer"". www.aftonbladet.se. 3 April 2021. Archived from the original on 3 April 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ Kim, Kristen (16 January 2019). "'The Masked Singer' Is No Match for the Original Korean Version". The Ringer. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Smith, Taylor (1 March 2024). "The Masked Singer Betting Sites". Gambling Sites. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Natalia Oreiro returns to Telefe, after the anger of 2018 and in the middle of a dispute with Tinelli". Today in 24 Entertainment English. 30 November 2021. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "bethanynoelm". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ Դիմակահանդես. www.1tv.am. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "🤩 Շուտով Առաջինի եթերում կլինի "Դիմակահանդես" նախագծի 2-րդ եթերաշրջանը". Instagram. Armenian Public TV.
- ^ Աշունն Առաջինում՝ հագեցած գունեղ միջազգային ձևաչափերով և բազմաժանր նոր նախագծերով. 1TV Armenia. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025.
- ^ Stephanie Anderson (27 May 2019). "'The Masked Singer' Is Not Just Another Singing Show". 10daily. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ Jessica Lynch (30 June 2019). "Osher Günsberg Is Putting Down The Roses To Host 'The Masked Singer Australia'". 10daily. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ ""The Masked Singer" show reaches Azerbaijan". AzerNews.az. 3 July 2020. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "The Masked Singer". VTM (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Quebecor Content to adapt "The Masked Singer" for Quebec". Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Picard, Guillaume. "«Chanteurs masqués» sera de retour pour une 6e saison en septembre prochain à TVA". Le Journal de Montréal (in Canadian French). Archived from the original on 5 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ "Globalna televizijska senzacija - 'Masked Singer', najpopularniji televizijski show stiže na RTL!". rtl.hr. 4 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Antonija Blaće u novoj ulozi! 'Masked Singer' uskoro kreće uživo, otkrivamo članove panela detektiva raskošnog showa". rtl.hr. 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ "Megashow 'Masked Singer' vodit će Antonija Blaće, a evo tko su detektivi: 'To je jedna opasna ekipa!'". rtl.hr. 25 March 2022. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Plány JOJ v 2020: Nová ťažisková šou, ktorá valcuje svet 2020". MediaBoom (in Slovak). 29 October 2019. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Verdens mest hemmelige underholdningsshow kommer til Danmark - TV 2". underholdning.tv2.dk (in Danish). 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ "Vil du Ind og Se, Hvem Holder Masken I den Nye Sæson? - Tv 2". 4 February 2022.
- ^ "Maskis laulja". TV3. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ "Suomessa on kuvattu kaikessa hiljaisuudessa täysin ennennäkemätöntä tv-ohjelmaa – julkkiskilpailijoiden henkilöllisyys salattiin äärimmäisin keinoin". Ilta-Sanomat. 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ Välske, Silja (26 April 2024). "Haluatko Masked Singer -yleisöön? Nyt on aika hakea mukaan!". MTV Uutiset. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Yohann RUELLE (23 February 2019). ""The Masked Singer": le concours de chant phénomène bientôt sur TF1 avec Camille Combal". Charts in France (in French). Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ Damien Mercereau (20 February 2019). "Camille Combal va animer The Masked Singer sur TF1". Le Figaro (in French). Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ Rania Hoballah (22 February 2019). ""The Masked Singer": Camille Combal va faire chanter des célébrités dans le nouveau show déjanté de TF1". La Chaîne Info (in French). Archived from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ a b Kim Soo-kyung (3 March 2019). '복면가왕', 미국 이어 프랑스·독일·네덜란드까지 방영 확정. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ YUPIII (12 March 2022). Μόνο στο Yupiii! Δείτε πρώτοι το teaser του ΣΚΑΪ για το "The Masked Singer". yupiii.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ SorozatWiki (16 March 2024). "2024-ben visszatér a Kalandra Fal és az Álarcos énekes – évértékelő interjú Kolosi Péterrel". sorozatwiki.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ a b Kanter, Jake (25 May 2021). "Amazon Orders Local Version Of 'The Masked Singer' In Japan". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ "Prime Video to Reboot 'Takeshi's Castle', Sets Japanese Adaptation of 'Modern Love'". 30 March 2022.
- ^ 21 марта на телеканале "Хабар" выйдет первый выпуск шоу "Маска". khabar.kz. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "ЖАҢА МАУСЫМ, ЖАҢА МАСКАЛАР, ЖАҢА ЖҰЛДЫЗДАР🔥💣 Қымбатты көрермен, ғажайып пен сырға толы ең танымал музыкалық 🎭"Маска" шоуының 2-маусымы ЖУЫРДА "Хабар" арнасынан көрерменге жол тартпақ. Қапы қалмаңыздар!🤩 Жоба продюсері: Гүлнұр Мамасарипова @gulnur_mamasaripova #Хабарұсынады #Маскашоуы #МаскаКазахстан #Maskashow #MaskaKazakhstan". Instagram. "Хабар" телеарнасы.
- ^ "«ЖЕТІНШІ АРНАДА» ЖАҢА ЖОБА 🤩🎭 Жуырда арнамыздан қызыққа толы «Маска» шоуы көрерменге жол тартады". Instagram. tv7_kz телеарнасы.
- ^ "Siapa lelaki misteri ni?!". www.facebook.com. Astro. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ "The Masked Singer Malta jitnieda b'personalitajiet moħbija f'kostumi spettakolari" [The Masked Singer Malta launches with masked personalities in spectacular costumes]. TVM News (in Maltese). 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ^ "¿Quién es la máscara?". televisa.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ "'The Masked Singer New Zealand' Comimg to 2021". 10 November 2020.[dead link]
- ^ "Silje Nordnes skal lede kjendis-gjettekonkurranse på NRK". NRK.no. 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- ^ "Billy Crawford, makakatapat sina Vice Ganda at Vhong Navarro sa TV5 noontime show?". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "Billy Crawford to host the local adaption of 'Masked Singer'". Inquirer. 29 September 2020. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ^ ""Mask Singer" - niezwykłe muzyczne show już wiosną w TVN!". www.tvn.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
- ^ "TVN rezygnuje z "Mask Singer 2", wiosną "Azja Express 3"". Wirtualne Media (in Polish). 11 January 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ Quijorna, Cristian (5 January 2019). "Fremantle adquiere 'The Masked Singer', el talent revelación del año en USA, para adaptarlo en España". FormulaTV (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- ^ "'The Masked Singer': os famosos mascarados chegam à SIC". NiT (in Portuguese). 2 December 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- ^ "Endemol Shine Group's Weit Media brings The Masked Singer to Russia". EndemolShineGroup. February 2020. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "'I dream big': Anele Mdoda brings 'The Masked Singer' to SA". TheSouthAfrican.com. 1 September 2022. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Atresmedia renueva su confianza en 'Mask Singer' y 'Love Island'". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 22 October 2021. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ Fernández Pérez, Pablo (6 February 2025). "Atresmedia renueva 'Mask Singer: adivina quién canta' por una quinta edición". FormulaTV (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ^ a b Prieto, Beatriz (13 July 2023). "Ana Milán y Alaska tomarán el relevo de Ana Obregón y Mónica Naranjo en 'Mask Singer 4'". FormulaTV (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Revolución en 'Mask Singer 5', tras la desaparición de Los Javis: Antena 3 sorprende con la elección de sus nuevos investigadores". El Confidencial (in Spanish). 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Här är den stjärnspäckade panelen i Masked Singer Sverige - Masked Singer Sverige". tv4.se. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Masked singer säsong 2 i TV4 - nya avsnitt för David Hellenius tv-program". www.expressen.se. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "TV4:s beslut: Det programmet ersätter pausade "Let's dance"". 15 September 2023.
- ^ This season was known as Project A
- ^ This season was known as Line Thai
- ^ This season was known as Thai Literature
- ^ This season was known as Zodiac
- ^ This season was known as Mirror
- ^ This season was known as Temple Fair
- ^ This season was known as Thai Descendant
- ^ This season is competition between masked singers and panelists
- ^ This season was known as Soulmate
- ^ "Program İzle - Maske Kimsin Sen?". www.fox.com.tr. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ "Україна" придбала формат шоу The Masked Singer. Детектор медіа (in Ukrainian). 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "The Masked Singer season 3 release date: When is the ITV show back?". Radio Times. 13 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d Susannah Alexander (8 September 2019). "The Masked Singer confirms its complete all-star panel and reveals its new host". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ Justin Harp (19 August 2020). "The Masked Singer UK announces new judge as Ken Jeong takes break". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ Matt Scott (22 July 2019). "Joel Dommett set to present ITV's UK version of The Masked Singer". TellyMix. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (3 February 2021). "'The Masked Singer' Host Nick Cannon Tests Positive for COVID; Niecy Nash to Fill In For Now (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ "Se viene la versión uruguaya de The Masked Singer: canal 12 producirá el reality". El Observador. 8 January 2022. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ ""Mặt nạ Ngôi Sao" on Dienquan Media & Entertainment official website" (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
- ^ ""Mặt nạ Ngôi Sao" full episodes on DIENQUAN Media & Entertainment official YouTube channel". DIENQUAN Media & Entertainment (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
- ^ Ngát Ngọc (28 December 2016). "Trường Giang bắt tay Tóc Tiên tham gia 'Mặt nạ ngôi sao'". Thanh Niên (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
- ^ "Mặt nạ ngôi sao chính thức lên sóng, hứa hẹn "gây sốt" ngay từ tập đầu". Viêt Bao (in Vietnamese). 3 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
- ^ Thiên Hương (19 April 2017). "'Thánh giả giọng' Mai Quốc Việt đăng quang vua mặt nạ". Thanh Niên (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ White, Peter (7 January 2020). "The Masked Dancer: Fox Partners With Ellen DeGeneres On 'The Masked Singer' Spinoff – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 19 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "A Pug Almost Passes Out Playing Ellen DeGeneres' Latest 'Masked Dancer'". TheWrap. 18 February 2019. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ 什么样的艺人能通过《蒙面舞王》获利？反正不是孟美岐_舞蹈. Sohu. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ Mandeville, Michael Robert (4 March 2021). "ITV commissions The Masked Dancer". ITV Press Center. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ Naman Ramachandran (4 March 2021). "ITV Unveils The Masked Dancer After Hit Show The Masked Singer". Variety. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ Jake Kanter (4 March 2021). "ITV Orders The Masked Dancer Following The Success Of The Masked Singer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ "Britain's Got Talent Series 15 Postponed 'til 2022". ITV. 29 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ ""The Masked Dancer": Endemol The Masked Singer"-Ableger nach Deutschland bringen". fernsehserien.de. 1 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
Masked Singer
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The Masked Singer is an international reality singing competition television franchise that originated in South Korea with the program King of Mask Singer, whose pilot episode aired on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on February 18, 2015, and regular series debuted on April 5, 2015.[1][2] In the format, celebrity contestants perform songs while disguised in full-body costumes and masks to hide their identities, with a panel of judges and audience members guessing the performers based on clues, vocal styles, and performances, and the lowest vote-getters being eliminated and unmasked each episode.[3][4]
The franchise has expanded globally, with adaptations in 58 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond, often featuring culturally tailored costumes and celebrity guests. The American version, produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment, premiered on Fox on January 2, 2019, hosted by Nick Cannon with a judging panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora, and quickly became a ratings success, drawing over 11 million viewers for its debut episode.[5][4] As of 2025, the U.S. series is in its thirteenth season, which aired from February to May, with a fourteenth season slated for January 2026, while spin-offs like The Masked Dancer have also emerged.[3]
The show's appeal lies in its blend of mystery, music, and celebrity reveals, encouraging viewer participation through social media guesses and transforming everyday songs into spectacle via elaborate productions and thematic episodes, such as holiday specials or tributes to films and music icons.[4][6]
Concept and Origins
Development of the Format
The Masked Singer format originated in South Korea as The King of Mask Singer, a singing competition that premiered on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on April 5, 2015.[7] Developed internally by MBC, the show was designed to evaluate performers solely on their vocal abilities by concealing their identities, creating a level playing field regardless of fame.[8] Central to the format's innovation were anonymous celebrity contestants performing in full-body masks and costumes to hide their identities, accompanied by introductory "clue" videos offering cryptic hints about their backgrounds.[6] A panel of celebrity judges analyzed these clues and performances to guess the singers' identities, while eliminations followed a bracket tournament structure based on combined votes from a live studio audience and the panel.[7] This blend of mystery, spectacle, and competition quickly propelled the series to high ratings in South Korea, airing over 500 episodes as of 2025.[9] Early international testing occurred within Asia, with Thailand launching the first adaptation, The Mask Singer, on Workpoint TV in October 2016, which introduced more extravagant full-body costumes and achieved record viewership, including viral performances that amassed millions of online views.[10][11] These Asian versions refined elements like visual spectacle before broader global licensing through agencies such as Fremantle, which handled distribution and adaptations starting around 2018.[12][13] Key milestones in non-Asian expansion included the United States version, the first outside Asia, which debuted on Fox on January 2, 2019; producer Craig Plestis, through his company Smart Dog Media, adapted the format by amplifying production values, incorporating elaborate clue packages, and securing high-profile celebrities to suit American primetime appeal.[6][14] This success paved the way for further adaptations, such as Germany's premiere on ProSieben in June 2019, which drew record ratings for the network and solidified the format's worldwide viability.[15]Original South Korean Version
The original South Korean version, titled Mystery Music Show: King of Mask Singer (미스터리 음악쇼 복면가왕), premiered on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on April 5, 2015, following a pilot episode aired on February 18, 2015. Hosted by Kim Sung-joo, with voiceover introductions provided by Lee Won-joon, the program quickly became a staple of MBC's Sunday Night lineup, emphasizing anonymous vocal performances to highlight singing talent irrespective of celebrity fame or bias. By June 2025, it had reached its 500th episode, and as of November 2025, over 500 episodes have aired, with the show announcing in October 2025 a hiatus after December recordings to reorganize into a reformatted seasonal structure starting in 2026, marking the end of its decade-long continuous weekly run.[2][9][16][17] The show's structure revolves around a continuous tournament format, where a reigning champion faces a new challenger each week in a series of singing rounds. Winners defend their title for up to four consecutive episodes, creating a chain of defenses that tests vocal endurance and adaptability. Each episode features masked contestants performing popular songs, with clues provided to hint at their identities without revealing them; the masks, which evolved from partial disguises in the pilot to full, elaborate costumes in the regular series, often draw from diverse themes including mythical creatures, objects, and cultural icons. Elimination occurs through live audience voting after each round, typically involving two singers per matchup in the preliminary stages, narrowing to a champion versus challenger in the final round. This setup prioritizes pure vocal skill, allowing participants from various entertainment fields to compete on equal footing.[18] Notable early champions include Huh Gak, who claimed the first regular series title as the inaugural Masked King, showcasing the program's ability to spotlight established ballad singers in unexpected ways. The series has produced over 200 Masked Kings and Queens by 2025, with standout runs like that of Ha Hyun-woo, who achieved a record nine consecutive wins. Culturally, King of Mask Singer has significantly influenced K-pop and variety television by reviving interest in vocal prowess amid idol-dominated media, fostering cross-generational appeal through its blend of mystery, music, and revelation. It earned the Best Variety Show award at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards in 2016 and has been recognized for its innovative format, which was exported to over 50 countries, inspiring international adaptations while maintaining its core focus on unbiased musical competition.[19][20][18]Format
Core Rules and Gameplay
The Masked Singer franchise features celebrity contestants who perform songs while disguised in full-body costumes and masks to conceal their identities, with clues provided to aid guessing, and elimination through voting leading to unmasking. While the original South Korean version, King of Mask Singer, uses a weekly tournament format with a defending champion and matchups over two episodes, most international adaptations follow a seasonal competition structure with 12 to 18 celebrities competing anonymously across multiple episodes. These contestants are chosen for their fame across entertainment, sports, or other fields, but their participation remains secret until elimination, with non-disclosure agreements ensuring confidentiality throughout production.[4] In adaptation versions, episodes typically unfold with 3 to 6 contestants from a designated group performing live vocal covers of popular songs, lasting around 90 seconds each, emphasizing entertainment value over technical perfection. Prior to each performance, a clue package—a short video featuring riddles, visual hints, and sometimes distorted voiceovers—provides cryptic information about the contestant's background, career, or personal life to aid in identity speculation. The judging panel analyzes these elements alongside the performance style, while the studio audience observes without direct interaction with the masked performers.[4] Following performances in adaptations, voting combines input from the studio audience—often via on-site ballots or a mobile app—and the panel of experts. In many versions, such as the U.S., this is weighted equally at 50% each, though proportions vary (e.g., audience majority in the original). The performer with the lowest combined score is eliminated and required to unmask on stage, revealing their identity to the panel, audience, and viewers, often followed by an unmasked encore performance. In cases of close votes during advanced stages in some adaptations, a "smackdown" round may occur, where the bottom two contestants perform a brief duet or reprise, subjecting them to a final vote for tiebreaker elimination.[21][4] Seasons in adaptations progress through initial group stages, where contestants are divided into 2 or 3 cohorts (e.g., Groups A, B, and C), with eliminations narrowing each group over multiple episodes until survivors merge for semi-finals and finals. This structure builds suspense across 8 to 12 episodes, culminating in a single winner who receives a custom trophy (and in some versions, a charitable donation in their name). Themed nights, such as those focused on specific music genres or holidays, may incorporate special performances or guest elements while adhering to the core anonymity and voting mechanics. Note that as of October 2025, the original King of Mask Singer announced a hiatus after December 2025, planning to return in late 2026 with a reformatted seasonal structure more similar to international adaptations.[4][21][16]Costumes, Clues, and Performances
Costumes across the franchise are custom-built elaborate full-body suits designed to completely conceal the celebrity contestant's identity, often inspired by animals, objects, or pop culture icons, using lightweight materials like foam, fabric, and ventilation systems to ensure performer comfort during extended wear. In some adaptations, such as the U.S. version, costumes incorporate advanced voice-altering technology, such as built-in modulators, to disguise the singer's natural voice and enhance anonymity; the original does not use such technology. Production costs vary, but U.S. costumes have been reported at around $100,000 to $175,000 each, reflecting intricate craftsmanship.[22][23][24] Clue packages are pre-recorded video segments that precede each performance, featuring cryptic hints about the contestant's identity through puns, visual props, personal anecdotes, and symbolic references tied to their career or life. A dedicated team of writers collaborates with the contestant shortly after booking to develop these narratives, drawing from the singer's background to create layered clues, such as references to "being in a band" for rock musicians or venue names like "Hall" to allude to a performer's surname. These packages often integrate song lyrics or thematic elements that align with the costume, encouraging viewers and the panel to speculate.[25][6] Performances emphasize live vocals without lip-syncing, with contestants delivering one-take renditions accompanied by choreography that complements the costume's theme. Group performances occur in some adaptations, such as coordinated routines by ensemble costumes to genre-specific songs, heightening the theatricality. Following each performance, the host and panel discuss the clues and offer guesses, fostering audience engagement through the mystery.[26][27] Over time, the integration of costumes, clues, and performances has evolved for greater sophistication in adaptations; early seasons featured simpler hints, while later iterations refined clues to be less obscure and more narrative-driven, adapting based on panel feedback and cultural trends to maintain intrigue.[25]United States Version
Premiere and Production History
The American version of The Masked Singer premiered on Fox on January 2, 2019, adapted from the South Korean format by Endemol Shine North America under the executive production of Craig Plestis of Smart Dog Media.[28][29] Production for the series takes place at studios in Los Angeles, initially at CBS Television City for the first three seasons before moving to Red Studios Hollywood.[30] Each season typically consists of 10 to 13 episodes, filmed over several weeks in the summer prior to airing.[31] Season 4, airing in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, implemented significant adaptations including virtual audience elements through composite shots and pre-recorded reactions, along with no live studio crowd and creative remote clue presentations delivered via methods like drones to maintain social distancing.[32][33] The show's early success prompted Fox to renew it for a second season just one episode into its run, with considerations for spin-offs emerging shortly after season 1 concluded, leading to the development of The Masked Dancer.[29] The series was renewed for a 14th season in May 2025, which premiered on January 7, 2026, with a two-hour episode at 8/7c on FOX, available the next day on Hulu; the premiere introduced a double elimination format and featured new masks such as Googly Eyes, following the 13th season that premiered on February 12.[34][35][36] Production budgets started high in early seasons to cover elaborate costumes and sets, with costs managed through in-house production from season 2 onward, reflecting increased investments in celebrity talent and production values.[37][38] Key production milestones include tie-ins with major events like the Grammys, where the show has featured numerous Grammy-winning and nominated performers as contestants, enhancing its appeal to music industry stars.[39] Celebrity recruitment remains a significant challenge, requiring strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by participants, their entourages, and even audience members to preserve anonymity until unmasking.[40][41]Hosts, Panel, and Seasons Overview
The Masked Singer is hosted by Nick Cannon, who has served in the role since the show's premiere in January 2019. Cannon's energetic hosting style has been a consistent element across all seasons, guiding contestants through performances and unmaskings while interacting with the panel and audience. Guest hosts have occasionally appeared in specials, such as Niecy Nash-Betts, who hosted the 2020 holiday sing-along special.[42] The judging panel consists of a core group of celebrities who provide guesses and commentary on the masked performers' identities based on clues and vocal performances. The regular panelists are singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, actor and comedian Ken Jeong, and singer Nicole Scherzinger. For season 13, Scherzinger was replaced by singer Rita Ora due to her commitments in the Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard. Guest panelists rotate in for specific episodes or seasons to offer fresh perspectives, such as actress Leah Remini in season 4 and singer Jewel in season 6.[43] The series premiered its first season on January 2, 2019, and has progressed through 13 seasons by May 2025, each featuring elaborate costumes, cryptic clues, and celebrity singers competing for the title of Masked Singer. Season 1 concluded with rapper T-Pain revealed as the winner under the Monster costume, marking the show's instant success, drawing 11.6 million total viewers (including DVR) for the premiere. Subsequent seasons have built on this foundation, with winners including comedian Wayne Brady as the Fox in season 2 and singer LeAnn Rimes as the Night Angel in season 3. More recent victors feature actress Vanessa Hudgens as Medusa in season 11, R&B group Boyz II Men as the Lambs in season 12, and country singer Gretchen Wilson as Pearl in season 13. Season 13, themed "Lucky 13" with special nights like Shrek and Ghostbusters tributes, aired from February to May 2025.[44][45][46] Viewership for the U.S. version peaked early in its run, with later episodes in season 4 reaching over 11 million, establishing it as a top-rated non-sports program in the 18-49 demographic for its first five seasons. Format evolutions have kept the show dynamic, including the addition of Group C contestants starting in season 3 to expand the competition structure, and the return of wildcard performers in seasons like 4 and 7 to allow eliminated singers a second chance. These changes, alongside increased theme nights and group battles from season 8 onward, have sustained audience engagement across the series.[47][48]International Adaptations
Versions by Country
The Masked Singer format has been licensed and adapted in 54 countries by 2025, demonstrating its widespread global appeal and rapid expansion following the success of the original South Korean program and the U.S. version.[49] The adaptations span multiple continents, with networks investing in local productions to capture diverse audiences through culturally tailored costumes and performances. Expansions began in Asia and quickly moved to Europe, North America, Latin America, and beyond, often premiering within months of the U.S. launch in early 2019. Recent additions include Malta in 2025. The earliest international adaptations outside South Korea included Mexico's ¿Quién es la máscara? on Las Estrellas, which premiered on August 25, 2019, marking the format's entry into Latin America.[50] In Europe, Germany launched the first continental version, The Masked Singer, on ProSieben on June 27, 2019.[51] Asian expansions followed closely, with Australia's The Masked Singer debuting on Network 10 on September 23, 2019, and running for five seasons from 2019 to 2023, with a planned sixth season cancelled.[52] France's Mask Singer aired its premiere on TF1 on November 8, 2019, while the United Kingdom version began on ITV on January 4, 2020.[53][54] Further growth included Brazil's The Masked Singer Brasil on Globo, which premiered on August 10, 2021, and ended in March 2025 after five seasons.[55] Japan's adaptation launched on Amazon Prime Video on September 3, 2021.[56] The Masked Singer India was announced in 2024 for Sony Entertainment Television, with premiere pending. Not all versions achieved longevity; for instance, Denmark's Hvem holder masken? on TV2 ran for only two seasons, premiering in November 2021 and concluding in June 2022 without renewal. Some adaptations have featured crossovers, such as the 2022 "Masked Singer: One World" special competition, which brought together masked celebrities from multiple international editions for joint performances and shared costumes.[57]| Country | Local Title | Premiere Date | Network | Status (as of 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | ¿Quién es la máscara? | August 25, 2019 | Las Estrellas | Ongoing |
| Australia | The Masked Singer | September 23, 2019 | Network 10 | Hiatus after 5 seasons |
| Germany | The Masked Singer | June 27, 2019 | ProSieben | Ongoing |
| France | Mask Singer | November 8, 2019 | TF1 | Ongoing |
| United Kingdom | The Masked Singer | January 4, 2020 | ITV | Ongoing |
| Brazil | The Masked Singer Brasil | August 10, 2021 | Globo | Ended 2025 |
| Japan | The Masked Singer Japan | September 3, 2021 | Amazon Prime Video | Ongoing |
| India | The Masked Singer India | TBA (announced 2024) | Sony | Upcoming |
| Denmark | Hvem holder masken? | November 6, 2021 | TV2 | Canceled after 2 seasons |