The K-Pop Star Season 3 press conference opened, but BoA was nowhere to be seen. No, she wasn't late. She's dropping out of the program, which she helped fuel to the top of Korean audition survival battle program, and making way for a new face - Yoo Hee Yeol, also known as the "Soulful Pervert."

The event was held in a small conference hall in Seoul. Park Jin Young, Yang Hyun Suk, and Yoo Hee Yeol were present. They were accompanied by producers Nam Seung Yong and Park Sung Hoon.

BoA wasn't there, but there was a grand entrance staged for the new judge. Yoo Hee Yeol, who emerged from the hoopla, was quite embarrassed by the gaudy entrance and jokingly stated, "I'm sorry for the entrance. You don't need to do something so grand for me. I apologize. I bet most of you were expecting G-Dragon or Rain."

Yang Hyun Suk, in introducing Yoo Hee Yeol, stated, "Today is the first time I have ever seen him in person, and I have to say, I was just as nervous as when I met BoA for the first time. I bet you all feel the same way."

The press who were present at the event asked about BoA's absence, but the producers didn't give a clear cut answer. Instead, they ambiguously stated, "It's about time we gave the program a change. We've prepared to make a new splash on a dull and overused audition/elimination concept."

K-Pop Star has been on a tear since its first introduction in 2011. Season 1 produced current stars Park Ji Min from 15&, Lee Hi, Baek Ah Yeon, and "WIN" Team A member Lee Seung Hoon. Season 2 produced Akdong Musician, who are gearing up for their first album release from YG. K-Pop Star Season 3 finished their national auditions in August and international auditions prior to that. The first episode of K-Pop Star Season 3 is set to air sometime in November.

Photo credit: JD Ilbo