Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore’s ‘I Can See Your Voice’ Adaptation Spotlights Star Power and Sleuthing Skills
Singapore’s adaptation of South Korean hit game show “I Can See Your Voice” invites viewers to solve a musical mystery alongside some of the nation’s most beloved entertainers.
The show enlists resident celebrity detectives Benjamin Kheng, Gurmit Singh, Najip Ali and Xixi Lim to assist — or mislead — contestants in their decisions.
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The series is the latest addition to the global franchise, which originated in South Korea and has been adapted in over 30 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Thailand and the Philippines. The format’s combination of deduction and performance has resonated with audiences worldwide, with each country tailoring the concept to reflect local sensibilities.
The show is hosted by Joakim Gomez and Munah Bagharib, both seasoned performers in Singapore’s entertainment scene. Gomez, a Mediacorp 987 radio personality, rose to fame as a finalist on Singapore Idol in 2006. Bagharib, known for her acting and hosting roles, also advocates for mental health awareness and dementia education.
Kheng, known for his music with The Sam Willows and solo career, says, “We’re given clues, a lip-sync challenge, interrogation opportunities and more. My job is to give either quality or misleading advice to the celebrity contestants on whether I think these mystery singers are good or bad singers.”
Singh, beloved for his iconic role as Phua Chu Kang in sitcom “Phu Chu Kang Pte Ltd,” brings decades of experience in comedy and hosting. “I liken it to playing a musical version of ‘Cluedo,’ where the clues are sometimes helpful but sometimes absolutely ridiculously unhelpful,” he explains. Reflecting on his chemistry with Ali, Singh adds, “Najip and I have known each other for a long time now but we only recently acted together. The English longform drama ‘Sunny Side Up’ was our first collaboration, and we thoroughly enjoyed working together. So, in ‘I Can See Your Voice,’ we really let loose and had a blast. So much so that the producers made sure we did not sit next to each other as we were having too much fun and caused a ruckus, constantly joking and taking jabs at each other.”
Ali, a pioneer in regional entertainment with a career spanning four decades, takes a more analytical approach. “As a resident celebrity detective my job is to differentiate the good singers from the bad singers. I will have to comment on every performance and try to aid the celebrity contestants in deciding who are the good singers and who are the bad singers. While I try to help them, my comments can sometimes confuse them further as they feel otherwise,” he says. Najip’s legacy includes hosting and producing award-winning shows like “Asia Bagus” and “Berani Nyanyi?”
Rounding out the panel is Xixi Lim, an actress, model, and singer celebrated for her comedic timing and advocacy for body positivity.
“I Can See Your Voice” premieres on Jan. 13, airing every Monday on Channel 5, with episodes available for streaming on mewatch and YouTube. Each episode’s final mystery singer wins SG$10,000 ($7,300), with all winners eligible to win a Nissan Leaf car.
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