Who's Dorado, the one overseas finalist on South Korea's ‘Sing Once more 4’?

The now-21-year-old singer-songwriter is thought by 4 names, every representing a interval of her singing profession

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino expertise is aware of no bounds. Singer-songwriter Gwyn Dorado remarkably positioned among the many Prime 4 of the South Korean tv program Sing Once more — now in its 4th season — as the one foreigner amongst Korean finalists Lee O-uk, Kim Jae-min, and Slowly.

Dorado’s efficiency of “I Need You,” composed and produced by Kim Do-hun, left a placing impression on each the viewers and the eight-panel judges consisting of Taeyeon of Ladies’ Era, Kyuhyun of Tremendous Junior, Baek Ji-young, Kim Eana, Lee Hae-ri, Lim Jae-beom, Yoon Jong-shin, and Code Kunst.

“I Need You” is offered for streaming on Melon and Genie.

Within the twelfth episode, which aired on December 31, 2025 on the JTBC Voyage YouTube channel, Dorado topped each vote classes by incomes a complete of 798 out of 800 factors — “the very best rating within the season’s historical past,” as commented by host and actor Lee Seung-gi.

Sing Once more initially began out with 81 contestants. It’s a program for “forgotten” or “anonymous” singers to reclaim their highlight as soon as once more. Dorado’s unshaken presence within the vocal enviornment leaves little doubt that she continues to impress, regardless of years out of the highlight since inserting as a 10-year-old finalist in Asia’s Acquired Expertise Season 1 in 2015.

A star is born

The now-21-year-old singer-songwriter is thought by 4 names, every representing a interval of her singing profession: Gwyneth, the OST singer; Gwyn Dorado, the soloist; Gwyneth Dorado, the 10-year-old finalist in Asia’s Acquired Expertise Season 1, and Dorado, the 21-year-old finalist in Sing Once more Season 4.

Her aptitude for music has all the time existed. She discovered to play the keyboard at age 5 by way of YouTube, and the guitar at age 8. The eldest little one of three graduated from senior highschool with a scholarship to the College of Sto. Tomas below the Music Arts and Design strand and plans to pursue music or theater arts in faculty.

In March 2015, Dorado joined her first main competitors: Asia’s Acquired Expertise in Singapore. She carried out a canopy of Sia and David Guetta’s “Titanium,” incomes a standing ovation from all 4 judges, Anggun, David Foster, Melanie C, and Vanness Wu. She reached the grand finale and completed as one of many prime 5 finalists alongside fellow Filipino skills shadow playgroup El Gamma Penumbra and soprano Gerphil-Geraldine Flores.

The then-10-year outdated singer additionally sang “Lupang Hinirang” at President Benigno Aquino III’s 2015 State of the Nation Deal with.

Who is Dorado, the only foreign finalist on South Korea’s ‘Sing Again 4’?

After AGT, she debuted in musical theater. Dorado performed orphaned July within the musical Annie in 2016 and Luisa Von Trapp within the musical The Sound of Music the next 12 months. She additionally expressed her want to carry out in different musicals like Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, and Hamilton in an Inquirer.internet interview again in 2022, implying that performing might not be off her radar, particularly after a ten-session performing workshop with facilitator-coach Regulation Rodriguez below her earlier administration, Digital Playground.

Dorado then launched a number of songs within the span of 2019 to 2021: “Laro-laro” because the OST of Pansamantagal, “Capturing Stars,” “For You,” and “House” as a part of the Filipino movie Completely satisfied Occasions’ soundtrack, all below the stage identify Gwyneth.

She launched her digital single “Tulala” in 2022 and made one other comeback in 2023 with “Why Do We Love?” below the identify Gwyn Dorado. The 18-year-old soloist continued her singing profession by way of common gigs in venues throughout the metro.

In February 2024, Dorado posted that she had signed a 5-year contract with a South Korean company named A.O Leisure, cementing her solo debut below the social media username Dorado. Subsequently, she additionally launched “What If,” the OST of the primary Korean lesbian present ToGetHer, and digital single “Method,” each of which marked her official South Korean debut.

Dorado lately posted on Instagram a brand new aspect of herself to indicate the top of the 12 months and the start of one thing assured in her profession. With the assistance of producer GroovyRoom, she shares “Lights Up,” a pop track that strays away from her standard ballad picture.

There isn’t any telling the place Dorado’s future might lead. However the ongoing help from her household and followers throughout Asia, who hope she is going to win Sing Once more 4, factors to a brilliant and productive path forward for the younger artist.

The thirteenth and final episode, which is able to decide the 4th season’s grand finale, will air reside on Tuesday, January 6 at 9:30 pm (Philippine time) on the Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Firm (JTBC) channel.

The winner will obtain a money prize of 300 million Korean received, or roughly Php 12,200,624.91. – Claire Masbad/Rappler.com

Claire Masbad is a Rappler intern finding out AB Communication Arts at De La Salle College.