On the night of the 15th, TV Chosun's 'Miss Trot 4' aired an intense 1-on-1 deathmatch, showcasing the surprising vocal prowess of actress Lee Elijah and young prodigies, which captivated both the judges and viewers.
The episode featured a 'trot prodigy' showdown between 12-year-old Bae Seo-yeon and 10-year-old Jeon Ha-yoon, leaving the judges in a dilemma. Bae Seo-yeon, who performed first, delivered Song Ga-in's 'Wolha Gayak' with poignant emotion and delicate expression, earning gasps from the audience from the very first note.
Impressed by Bae Seo-yeon's extraordinary singing talent, judge Kim Yong-bin admitted he felt like conceding, while Park Se-ri marked her as a strong contender for first place. Jeon Ha-yoon, performing second, also impressed with a sincere and stable rendition of Jang Yoon-jung's 'Mokpo-bound Slow Train,' but the judges ultimately chose Bae Seo-yeon. She advanced to the next round with an 11 to 6 score.
The most talked-about performance was the face-off between actress Lee Elijah and seasoned singer Jang Hye-ri. Jang Hye-ri, leveraging her past experience as a Latin dance athlete, chose Yang Soo-kyung's 'Love is a Cold Temptation' and delivered a sensual performance, provocatively challenging Lee Elijah to return to acting.
In response, Lee Elijah selected Hye Eun-i's 'Rain' and filled the stage with her dramatic emotional expression and explosive vocal power, characteristic of an actress.
Judge Park Sun-joo praised the performance for breaking stereotypes by utilizing the actress's unique traits to 130 percent, while Kim Yong-bin commended her perfect lyrical delivery. Lee Elijah caused an upset by defeating Jang Hye-ri with an 11 to 6 vote, advancing to the third round.
This deathmatch highlighted how an actress's sensitivity can surpass a singer's performance, and how young contestants can exhibit depth comparable to seasoned singers, intensifying the competition's fervor. While Lee Elijah and Bae Seo-yeon continue their quest for victory, Jang Hye-ri and Jeon Ha-yoon, now potential elimination candidates, await a chance for redemption. With the continued success of talented contestants, anticipation for the upcoming third round is at an all-time high among viewers.
Reporter: Im Chae-ryeong, Ten Asia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr