On the 27th episode of TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday,' legendary 7080s group Songgolmae's lead vocalist, Koo Chang-mo, took the stage as the 'Golden Star,' instantly raising the stakes for the top trot stars. The appearance of the 'Super Catfish Singer' and a flawless 100-point performance made every moment feel like a final showdown. The episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 5%, according to Nielsen Korea, a rise from the previous week. The peak rating soared to 5.4%, making it the top program among daily cable and general service channels.
In the first round, Mi Cheonrokdam faced off against Nam Seung-min. Cheonrokdam chose 'Wandering,' delivering explosive high notes that captivated the studio. Original singer Koo Chang-mo praised the performance, saying, "This is live," leading to a high score of 97 points. Nam Seung-min countered with Joo Byung-sun's 'Chilgapsan,' but despite his soulful voice, he scored 94 points. Cheonrokdam secured the victory by a narrow 3-point margin, earning his third golden star.
In the second round, Super Catfish Singer Kim Beom-ryong turned the atmosphere around. Holding the privilege to choose his opponent, he selected Jin Jeong Seo-joo and Chun-gil, both tied for first place in golden stars, heightening the tension.
Jeong Seo-joo performed Koo Chang-mo's hit 'Heenari' with a clear and beautiful voice, earning the label "genius" from the audience, but surprisingly scored only 92 points. Chun-gil responded with Lee Seung-jae's 'Far Away,' showcasing powerful vocals but scoring 91 points. Kim Beom-ryong closed the round with Koo Chang-mo's 'Lonely Lonely,' delivering a rhythmic and seasoned performance that scored 99 points, proving his prowess as a Super Catfish.
In the third round, Jin Kim Yong-bin faced Seon Son Bin-ah. Kim Yong-bin performed Hyun-mi's 'Longing Face,' a favorite of his grandmother, with deep emotion, achieving a perfect score of 100 points. Son Bin-ah chose Songgolmae's 'The First Moment,' bringing a youthful charm to the stage and scoring 99 points. Kim Yong-bin secured the win by a single point, collecting four golden stars.
In the fourth round, Seon Bae Ah-hyun performed 'Mature as Much as It Hurts,' showcasing her delicate interpretation. Original singer Koo Chang-mo acknowledged the song's difficulty, saying, "It's a song that keeps you on edge." Bae Ah-hyun scored 96 points, but Chu Hyuk-jin, performing second, turned the tables with Songgolmae's 'Love Everyone,' scoring 99 points and earning his first golden star, shedding the 'No Star' label.
In the final fifth round, Oh Yoo-jin took the stage with Songgolmae's 'The One I Met by Chance,' delivering a performance that scored a perfect 100 points. Choi Jae-myung countered with Na Hoon-a's 'Galmu-ri,' but his heavy emotional performance scored 96 points, insufficient to change the tide. Oh Yoo-jin joined the top ranks with four golden stars.
Kim Yong-bin and Oh Yoo-jin both achieved perfect scores of 100 from the judges, securing their positions in the leading group. Who will be the first to collect seven golden stars and claim the Golden Cup? The golden competition among trot top stars is intensifying.
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. Kim Yong-bin plans to share some of the prize with his aunt, give gifts to his band members, and express gratitude to his fan club 'Sarangbin.' TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday' airs every Friday at 10 PM.
Reporter: Lim Chae-ryeong, Ten Asia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr