# I Can See Your Voice

I Can See Your Voice (abbreviated as ICSYV; Korean: 너의 목소리가 보여; RR: Neoui moksoriga boyeo; MR: Nŏŭi moksorika poyŏ) is an international television mystery music game show franchise that originated from the South Korean program of the same title, which is created by producer Lee Seon-young.

## Background

In 2012, producer and creator Lee Seon-young initially planned to develop a singing reality competition show that includes "good singers". She would unusually add elements with "bad singers", lip sync, and "guessing game" flairs, creating a unique format that would become the "mystery music game show" in the process. Also, she originally envisioned a program that will allow anyone to be the main character regardless of their appearances, inspired by Kim Bum-soo who struggled to gain recognition because of his look.
I Can See Your Voice made its debut on Mnet and tvN on February 26, 2015, with host Kim Bum-soo as a guest artist, playing the game. Despite the poor reception in its first season, the show went on to become an instant success in South Korea, forcing to renew for a second season.

## Gameplay
### Formats
#### Original format

Presented with a group of "mystery singers", the guest artist(s) must attempt to eliminate bad singers from the group without ever hearing them sing, assisted by clues and celebrity panel over the course of several rounds. At the end of a 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.

#### Battle format

The "battle format" is a variation of the original South Korean rules that introduced in Giọng ải giọng ai, when two opposing guest artists eliminate one singer each during the proper game phase, and then remain one singer each to join the final performance. At the end of a game, the following conditions for winning mystery singers chosen by opposing guest artists, depending on the outcome of final performances, if:
* One opposing guest artist has revealed as a good singer and the other one has a bad singer, or
* Both two opposing guest artists have revealed as good or bad singers.
For Veo cómo cantas in Mexico, two oppposing contestants must eliminate one mystery singer from an assigned group. At the end of first two or three rounds, the contestant having of a least one or two bad singer eliminations will proceed to the next round.

### Players

The game's main element, "mystery singers", are a lineup of selections played by the guest artist(s), having divided into good and bad singers. Actually, the winning mystery singer can perform freely without accompanying guest artist(s). Beside them, it also involved civilian or celebrity contestants as "eliminators". Some lineup variations include:
* For a mixed group, if all of the members are good singers but including of at least one bad singer, they are actually classified as "bad".
* The "surprise" entrant, when a mystery singer stands inside an enclosure and remain concealed until its revelation by being eliminated or a final performance by one of the guest artists.

### Rewards

Throughout the game, mystery singers, contestants, and to lesser extent guest artists have given rewards such as prize money, trophy, or recording contract. Some commonly used methods include:
* The eliminated or winning mystery singer, regardless of being good or bad, gets a cash prize. With contestant(s) involved, they get a cash prize if the last remaining mystery singer is good, or to the winning bad singer selected by them.
* The contestant(s) must eliminate one mystery singer at the end of each round, receiving a petty cash if they eliminate a bad singer. At the end of a game, if the contestant(s) decide to walk away, they will keep the money had won in previous rounds; if they decide to risk for the last remaining mystery singer, they win its main prize if a singer is good, or lose their all winnings if a singer is bad.

### Rounds

For its game phase, the mystery singers must examine for legitimacy through different rounds with varying mechanics.

#### Visual rounds

The guest artist(s) and contestant(s) are given some time to observe and examine each mystery singer based on their appearance.
* A muted video of each mystery singer that reveals only 0.3 seconds of their singing voice is played as an additional hint.
* Each mystery singer is given two different identities as a good and bad singer, with one of them is a real identity.

#### Lip sync rounds

Each mystery singer performs a lip sync to a song; good singers mime to a recording of their own, while bad singers mime to a recording by someone else.
* Also for the pair and batch variations, the guest artist(s) and contestant(s) eliminate one mystery singer from each group.
* The mystery singer lip syncs to the good singer's recording, then a bad singer's recording comes in the middle of the performance.

#### Evidence rounds

Each mystery singer reveals an evidential piece. Good singers have own evidences, while bad singers had their evidences fabricated.
* The hosts have randomly assigned clues about the mystery singer, and then the guest artist(s) and contestant(s) must choose a clue for each one.
* The guest artist(s) and contestant(s) are presented with a video package containing possible clues by one of the mystery singers; this includes "house tour", "personal life", or "witness" variations.

#### Rehearsal rounds

Each mystery singer reveals a pre-show rehearsal piece, but their voices are actually concealed through audio distortion.
* Three random panelists are wearing headphones to listen to a recording of assigned mystery singer that lasts for a short duration. Afterward, the panelist defends the mystery singer and convince the guest artist(s) and contestant(s) to choose them as the winner.
* The guest artist(s) and contestant(s) are presented with video from a recording session by one of the mystery singers, but pitch-shifted to obscure their actual vocals.

#### Interrogation rounds

The guest artist(s) and contestant(s) may ask questions to the remaining mystery singers. Good singers are required to give truthful responses, while the bad singers must lie.
* Each mystery singer has to confess what kind of identity they have if the singer is bad.

### Other variations

The Golden Mic is used by guest artists or contestants that introduced in the American adaptation, in which they may hear additional clues and observations to mystery singers from a celebrity guest off-stage.

## Reception
### Legacy

Unlike reality singing competition shows such as Idol, Rising Star, The Voice and The X Factor, I Can See Your Voice is one of the game shows that are considered as a "stepping stone" for aspiring singers to perform effortlessly, referring to as the "second coming of National Singing Contest" because of its sudden impact on their local music industry; some featured participants include Hwang Chi-yeul, Lee Sun-bin, and Kim Min-kyu.

### Controversies

In August 2015, CJ ENM accused two (locally unlicensed) programs, God of Songs by SZTV and X-Singer by Beijing TV, of plagiarism. They have also implement on modified game mechanics, strikingly similar to the original format of I Can See Your Voice without having permission from the said company.
During an interview with CJ ENM head of formats Diane Min in June 2020, she revealed that there was a dispute with Is That Really Your Voice?, another game show format by the Turkey-based Global Agency launched in 2013, in which I Can See Your Voice was accused as being plagiarized from their format.

### Accolades

I Can See Your Voice has been nominated for Best Non-Scripted Entertainment Program at the 44th International Emmy Awards, Best Light Entertainment Program at 2020 Venice TV Awards, and Studio Entertainment Award at 2023 Rose d'Or.

## International versions

I Can See Your Voice commenced franchising with a joint agreement by CJ ENM and Chinese broadcaster Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation in June 2015, to acquire the rights for producing its first locally-licensed adaptation. On the other hand, Thailand was the first country to air its local adaptation, premiering on 13 January 2016. Since then, the said franchise has produced 35 adaptations airing in 33 countries and territories.
Giọng ải giọng ai (subtitled as Hidden Voices) is a formally recognized Vietnamese adaptation of I Can See Your Voice that premiered on 5 November 2016; it also introduced a "battle format" that would later implement to existing ICSYV counterparts.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Catch Me If You Can is a breakaway counterpart of Ya vizhu tvoy golos that has aired since 2024; due to its gameplay being inspired by formats of the original (Russian) counterpart and Giọng ải giọng ai, it became a unofficial adaptation of I Can See Your Voice.
| Country or region | Local title | Network | Season count | Host(s) | Panelists |
| Belgium | I Can See Your Voice | VTM | Completed: 3 Upcoming: 4 (TBA) | Jonas van Geel [nl] | Current Kürt Rogiers [nl] (1–4) Ingeborg Sergeant (1–4) Ruth Beeckmans [nl] (4) Karen Damen (4) Jake Reese (4) Jamie-Lee Six [nl] (4) Former Vincent Fierens [nl] (1–3) Kamal Kharmach [nl] (1–3) |
| Bulgaria | Пееш или лъжеш (Are you singing or lying?) | Nova | Completed: 2 Upcoming: 3 (TBA) | Current TBA (3) Former Nencho Balabanov [bg] (1) Maria Ignatova [bg] (1) Dimitar Rachkov (2) | Current TBA (3) Former Militsa Gladnishka [bg] (1) Emil Koshlukov (1) Alexandra Raeva [bg] (1) Andrei Arnaudov [bg] (2) Ivan Hristov [bg] (2) Maria Ignatova (2) |
| Cambodia | I Can See Your Voice Cambodia | Hang Meas HDTV | Completed: 3 | Chea Vibol [km] Sok Rasy [km] | Nuon Sary [km] (1–2) Khat Sokhim [km] (1, 3) Madonna [km] (1, 3) Neay Krum [km] (1–3) |
| Canada | Qui sait chanter? (Who can sing?) | Noovo | Completed: 2 | Phil Roy [fr] | Roxane Bruneau (1) Rita Baga (1–2) |
| China | 看见你的声音 (I Can See Your Voice) | JSTV | Completed: 1 | Mickey Huang Li Hao [zh] Shen Ling [zh] | Bai Kainan [zh] Deon Dai [zh] Di Yang [zh] Ava Shen [zh] Mix [zh] Xu Li [zh] |
| Croatia | Tko to tamo pjeva? (Who's singin' over there?) | Nova TV | Completed: 1 Upcoming: 2 (TBA) | Frano Ridjan [hr] | Gianna Apostolski [hr] Luka Nižetić Goran Vinčić [hr] Alka Vuica |
| Estonia | Ma näen su häält (I Can See Your Voice) | Kanal 2 | Completed: 4 Upcoming: 5 (April 13, 2025 (2025-04-13)) | Current TBA (5) Former Piret Laos [et] | Current TBA (5) Former Mart Juur (1) Grete Kuld (1–3) Andrei Zevakin [et] (1–3) Estoni Kohver (5miinust) (1, 3–4) Evelin Võigemast (1–4) Tõnis Niinemets [et] (2, 4) Kristel Aaslaid [et] (4) |
| Finland | Mysteerilaulajat (Mystery singers) | Nelonen | Completed: 1 | Heikki Paasonen | Robin Packalen Miitta Sorvali |
| France | Show Me Your Voice | M6 | Completed: 2 | Issa Doumbia (1–2) Élodie Gossuin (2) | Éric Antoine Hélène Ségara |
| Georgia | გვაჩვენე შენი ხმა (Show us your voice!) | Rustavi 2 | Completed: 1 Ongoing: 2 | Tika Patsatsia | Current Salome Bakuradze [ka] (1–2) Gigi Dedalamazishvili (Mgzavrebi) (1–2) Oto Nemsadze (1–2) Tamar Pkhakadze [ka] (1–2) Archil Sologashvili [ka] (1–2) Former Avto Gvasalia [ka] (1) |
| Germany | I Can See Your Voice | RTL | Completed: 3 | Daniel Hartwich | Evelyn Burdecki [de] (1) Judith Rakers (1) Thomas Hermanns (1–2) Tim Mälzer (1–2) Jorge González [de] (1, 3) |
| Greece | Μπορώ να δω τη φωνή σου (I Can See Your Voice) | Mega Channel | Upcoming: 1 (TBA) | Maria Bekatorou [el] | TBA |
| Hungary | Mutasd a hangod! (Show me your voice!) | TV2 | Completed: 2 | András Stohl | Bea Hargitai [hu] Szabi Papp [hu] Ferenc Rákóczi [hu] |
| Indonesia | I Can See Your Voice Indonesia | MNCTV | Completed: 5 | Raffi Ahmad (1–3, 5) Indra Herlambang [id] (1–5) Andhika Pratama [id] (4) | Various (see cast) |
| Iran | صداتو (Your voice) | Filimo | Completed: 2 Upcoming: 3 (TBA) | Mohsen Kiaei [fa] | Current TBA (3) Former Mohammad Bahrani Amir Mahdi Jule Shabnam Moghaddami Mohsen Sharifian [fa] |
| Israel | רואים את הקול (Note the voice) | Keshet 12 | Completed: 2 | Erez Tal | Ilanit Levi [he] Shiri Maimon Avi Nussbaum [he] Ido Rosenblum [he] |
| Lithuania | Aš matau tavo balsą (I Can See Your Voice) | LNK BTV | Completed: 1 | Rokas Bernatonis | Monika Liu Karolina Meschino [lt] |
| Malaysia | 看见你的声音 (I Can See Your Voice Malaysia) | 8TV | Completed: 2 | Wong Yinyin [zh] (1) Wind Lee [zh] (1–2) Xiaoyu [zh] (1–2) | Rickman Chia [zh] (1–2) Orange Tan [zh] (1–2) Hoon Mei Sim [zh] (2) Gary Yap (2) |
| Malaysia | I Can See Your Voice Malaysia | Current TV3 (2–8) Former NTV7 (1) | Completed: 7 Upcoming: 8 (TBA) | Current TBA (8) Former Alvin Chong [ms] (1) Shuk Sahar (1–4) Sean Lee [ms] (2–4) Ain Edruce [ms] (5) Izzue Islam (5–7) Shiha Zikir [ms] (6–7) | Various (see cast) |
| Mexico | Veo cómo cantas (I see how you sing) | Las Estrellas (MEX) Univision (USA) | Completed: 1 | Omar Pérez Reyes [es] | Erika Buenfil Beto Cuevas (La Ley) José Eduardo Derbez Natalia Téllez |
| Netherlands | I Can See Your Voice | RTL 4 | Completed: 5 | Carlo Boszhard | Ronnie Flex (1) Samantha Steenwijk [nl] (1) Jeroen van Koningsbrugge (1) Marieke Elsinga (1–5) Fred van Leer (1–5) Edsilia Rombley (2–4) Danny de Munk (2–3, 5) |
| Philippines | I Can See Your Voice | ABS-CBN (1–2) Kapamilya Channel (interim; 3–5) A2Z (simulcast; 3–5) TV5 (simulcast; 5) | Completed: 5 | Luis Manzano | Various (see cast) |
| Portugal | Cantor ou Impostor? (Singer or impostor?) | SIC | Completed: 1 Upcoming: 2 (TBA) | Current TBA (2) Former Cláudia Vieira | Current TBA (2) Former João Manzarra Débora Monteiro [pt] Rui Unas |
| Romania | Falsez pentru tine (I sing badly for you) | Pro TV | Completed: 1 | Mihai Bobonete [ro] | Gojira George [ro] Monica Anghel Răzvan Fodor Anna Lesko |
| Russia | Я вижу твой голос (I Can See Your Voice) | Rossiya-1 | Completed: 1 | Vladimir Markony [ru] | Nikolai Fomenko Larisa Rubalskaya ST [ru] |
| Russia | Поймай меня, если сможешь (Catch Me If You Can) Unofficial adaptation | Rossiya-1 | Completed: 1 Upcoming: 2 (TBA) | Vladimir Markony | No permanent member(s) |
| Singapore | I Can See Your Voice Singapore | Channel 5 | Ongoing: 1 | Munah Bagharib Joakim Gomez | Najip Ali [ms] Gurmit Singh |
| South Korea | I Can See Your Voice 너의 목소리가 보여 Original program | Mnet tvN | Completed: 10 | Kim Bum-soo (1–3) Leeteuk (Super Junior) (1–10) Yoo Se-yoon (1–10) Kim Jong-kook (4–10) | Various (see cast) |
| Spain | Veo cómo cantas (I see how you sing) | Antena 3 | Completed: 2 | Manel Fuentes [es] | Ana Milán (1) El Monaguillo [es] (1–2) Josie Gallego [es] (1–2) Ruth Lorenzo (1–2) |
| Thailand | I Can See Your Voice Thailand | Workpoint TV | Completed: 6 | Somkiat Chanpram [th] Kan Kantathavorn | Various (see cast) |
| Turkey | Sesini görebiliyorum (I Can See Your Voice) | TV8 | Upcoming: 1 (TBA) | TBA | TBA |
| Ukraine | Я бачу твій голос (I Can See Your Voice) | Novyi Kanal | Upcoming: 1 (TBA) | TBA | TBA |
| United Kingdom | I Can See Your Voice | BBC One | Completed: 2 | Paddy McGuinness | Jimmy Carr Alison Hammond Amanda Holden |
| United States | I Can See Your Voice | Fox | Completed: 3 | Ken Jeong | Adrienne Bailon-Houghton Cheryl Hines |
| Uruguay | Veo cómo cantas (I see how you sing) | Teledoce | Completed: 1 | Lucía Rodríguez | Pampita Ardohaín Manuela da Silveira Annasofía Facello Martín Inthamoussú [es] |
| Vietnam | Giọng ải giọng ai (Hidden voices) | HTV7 | Completed: 5 | Đại Nghĩa [vi] | Ốc Thanh Vân [vi] (1–2) Thu Trang [vi] (1–2) Trấn Thành (1–5) Trường Giang [vi] (1–5) |
Also as listed below, are the following countries or territories that have declared to produce their local adaptations of I Can See Your Voice:
* December 2018: Slovakia
* December 2019: Australia and Italy
* October 2020: Poland
* November 2020: Czech Republic, India and Norway
* September 2021: Serbia
* February 2023: Colombia
* February 2024: Brazil