Why does LIKE split _E into _ and E - mysql?

Question

MySQL

I'm doing a simple database search using LIKE.
`data` LIKE '%$val%'
$val contains e.g. _E
I get data from the database:
M_E
G_E
NEW_GO
ON_TEST
ONE_TEST
ON_EFDF
etc.
Those. c takes all records where there is E and _ Why doesn't it look for only _E?
Those. in theory it should be:
M_E
G_E
ON_EFDF

Answer 1

If all else fails, try reading the documentation.
LIKE operator

With LIKE you can use the following two wildcard characters in the pattern:

• % matches any number of characters, even zero characters.
  
• _ matches exactly one character.