On the night of the 23rd, TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday' aired a 'Rivalry of the Century' special, heating up living rooms across the nation. Ten top trot stars faced off with timeless hits from legendary rivals Na Hoon-a and Nam Jin, as well as Lee Mi-ja and Patti Kim, delivering a tension-filled showdown. The episode was packed with thrilling performances and unexpected twists, offering an immersive experience befitting a rivalry special. According to Nielsen Korea, the nationwide viewership rating rose to 5%, with peak ratings reaching 5.5%, maintaining its position as the number one daily cable and general programming channel for five consecutive weeks.
The deathmatch featured a dramatic rule where the winner could steal one golden star from their opponent, earning a total of two stars, fueling the competitive spirit among the participants. The first performer, Bae Ah-hyun, captivated the audience with her rendition of Na Hoon-a's 'Broken Clock' using her unique vocal technique, quickly setting the tone. Her opponent, Cheon Rok-dam, countered with Nam Jin's 'Empty Glass' in a powerful masculine voice, but unexpectedly scored only 91 points, causing a stir. Bae Ah-hyun was the first to secure four golden stars, taking the lead.
In the next round, Son Bin-ah delivered a powerful performance of Na Hoon-a's 'Love is a Seed of Tears,' showcasing her wide vocal range and explosive power. Her peers praised her, saying, "It was like combining the strengths of Na Hoon-a and Nam Jin," and "A vocal skill not just anyone can master," as she scored another perfect 100 points, proving her exceptional talent.
Choo Hyuk-jin also impressed with his performance of Nam Jin's 'It's Me,' energizing the venue, but narrowly lost with a karaoke master score of 99 points. Consequently, he lost his only golden star to Son Bin-ah, dropping to the bottom. With Choo Hyuk-jin's star added, Son Bin-ah accumulated four golden stars, moving closer to the Golden Cup.
The following match saw Kim Yong-bin and Oh Yoo-jin face off. Oh Yoo-jin, determined to "beat uncle," and Kim Yong-bin, humorously lamenting, "Why am I 'uncle' when Son Bin-ah and Choo Hyuk-jin are 'oppa'?" provided viewers with delightful laughter. Kim Yong-bin delivered a heartfelt performance of Lee Mi-ja's 'My Song, My Love to You,' expressing gratitude to fans who supported him for over 20 years. Oh Yoo-jin impressed with her pure and emotional rendition of Patti Kim's 'Farewell,' earning admiration from her peers.
The result was a narrow victory for Kim Yong-bin by just two points. However, the joy was short-lived as the 'Megi Singer Round' was activated, leading to a dramatic twist. 'Emotional Diva' Han Hye-jin scored 99 points with Patti Kim's 'Chou,' preventing Kim Yong-bin from acquiring a golden star. Kim Yong-bin humorously remarked, "It's getting uncomfortable now," and "I want to win gold, but I don't know why the Megi Singer keeps appearing," eliciting more laughter from viewers.
The intense showdown between Jeong Seo-joo and Nam Seung-min was equally fierce. Jeong Seo-joo, inspired by Kim Yong-bin's performance, chose Lee Mi-ja's 'Anemone,' while Nam Seung-min, singing Patti Kim's 'Can't Forget' for the first time, revealed it was recommended by Kim Yong-bin, drawing attention.
In a close contest that left even Kim Yong-bin in a difficult position, Jeong Seo-joo emerged victorious with a high score of 97 points. The second Megi Singer of the night, 'Trot Gentleman' Jin Si-mon, performed Lee Mi-ja's 'A Woman's Life,' but scored only 95 points. Jeong Seo-joo, defeating both Nam Seung-min and Jin Si-mon, earned two golden stars, quickly rising to the top ranks.
In the final match, Chun Gil delivered an immersive performance of Nam Jin's 'Sangsa-hwa,' scoring 97 points and defeating Choi Jae-myung. Chun Gil also secured four golden stars, joining Bae Ah-hyun and Son Bin-ah at the top. It was an episode where the fortunes of the members fluctuated more than ever. With this momentum, the golden competition for the Golden Cup is expected to become even more intense.
Meanwhile, Kim Yong-bin, born in 1992, won TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 3,' receiving a prize of 300 million won, with a net amount of approximately 286.8 million won after taxes. Regarding his plans for the prize money, Kim Yong-bin expressed his intention to give a portion to his aunt, present gifts to the members, and show appreciation to his fan club 'Sarangbin.'
Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, Ten Asia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr