Singer Jung Mi-ae's husband, Jo Sung-hwan, broke down in tears after receiving an 'All Top' on the MBN audition program 'Legend of the Unknowns - Trot Men's Rank War' (hereafter 'Legend of the Unknowns'), which aired on the 4th. The show recorded a viewership rating of 8.04% (part 2) among all paid households, with a peak minute rating of 8.902%, marking an increase of approximately 1.8% from last week's episode.
This episode featured the growth stories of audition re-challengers and the rediscovery of unknown talents, delivering unexpected twists and deep emotions with every performance.
Top star Hanbyul, winner of Malaysia's 'Big Stage 2019' and a chart-topper for 52 consecutive weeks, also set aside his overseas fame to re-challenge himself. Hanbyul reinterpreted Kim Soo-hee's 'Lost Love' in his own style, earning high praise from Jo Hang-jo, who called him "a gem we should boast about," and Im Hanbyul, who declared, "I'll be a fan from today," as he secured an All Top.
Jo Sung-hwan, husband of singer Jung Mi-ae who battled oral cancer, revealed his long-held dream of becoming a singer and made his first attempt. Singing Lee Mi-ja's 'I Loved You,' Jo Sung-hwan was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't continue his song after receiving an All Top. Joo Hyun-mi, also moved to tears, praised him, saying, "After the first verse, I felt there was no need to hear more. He perfectly reinterpreted a difficult song into his own."
Contestants resembling existing trot stars also drew attention. Moon Eun-seok, reminiscent of 'Lee Chan-won Doppelganger,' captivated the judges with his matured appearance and solid vocal skills. 'Little Kang Moon-kyung' Jung Yul-hyun chose 'Old Lover,' performing in front of his role model Kang Moon-kyung and original singer Jeon Bu-seong. Kang Moon-kyung admired, "He seems better than me," while Jeon Bu-seong humorously remarked, "I want to go home."
The show also hinted at the birth of new stars with striking visuals. Participants like former firefighter Seo Hee-cheol and idol-like Jung Yoon-young, who declined agency offers to join 'Legend of the Unknowns,' showcased their handsome looks and stable singing abilities, forming the so-called 'Handsome Legend' line. Yoo Ji-woo, with his youthful appearance, chose Kim Soo-hee's 'Love' for his mother, who raised him alone after his father's disappearance due to company bankruptcy. Joo Hyun-mi praised, "His voice seems capable of comforting everyone," as he secured an All Top. The emergence of these talented individuals with compelling stories and skills became another focal point beyond the stage.
Powerful performance stages also captivated viewers. 'Dancing Bus Driver' Baek Won-young, with 7 million cumulative views on social media, heated up the stage with Seo Ji-o's 'Dollido,' spinning across the stage. Son Dong-je, who dominated the stage with 15cm high heels and a seductive performance, and dance prodigy Son Eun-seol, with 1.6 million social media views, also made it to the Top 12.
Kwak Hee-sung's stage, combining cello performance with trot to reinterpret Jo Hang-jo's 'Lie,' also garnered hot attention. While Shin Yoo pointed out, "The harmony between the cello and voice is somewhat lacking," Jo Hang-jo countered, "The voice felt more like a violin. It could become a new genre," leading to a tense judging debate. Additionally, 27-year veteran Korean dancer Lee Dong-jun, whom Jo Hang-jo personally declared a fan of, left a strong impression with a visually striking performance reminiscent of 'K-pop Demon Hunters' 'Lion Boys,' earning a spot on the preliminary pass list.
The remarkable performances of re-challengers from audition programs were also noteworthy. Kwak Young-kwang delivered a short but impactful performance of Song Dae-kwan's 'Alone' with a half-key up, earning an All Top amid the judges' admiration. Shin Yoo praised the growth of Kwak Young-kwang, saying, "He seems to know what he needs to do now." Go Young-tae faced off with Jin Sung's 'Eoudong,' receiving an All Top. Expressing his frustration, Go Young-tae shared, "I've been told I've come with wings," and without relying on performance, he overwhelmed the stage with his voice alone. Son Tae-jin encouraged, "I'm sorry for not recognizing you. I hope you succeed under the name Go Young-tae."
Amid the rediscovery of unknown talents, the sincerity of those who challenged trot beyond their day jobs, such as bus drivers, athletes, and firefighters, further heated up the stage. Former tour bus driver Lee Da-on tackled a song by composer Kim Jin-ryong, overcoming the so-called 'Jinryong Mountain.' With his surprising falsetto and unique tone, he confidently earned an All Top, receiving praise like, "I'm usually stingy with my songs, but you did well." Foot volleyball player Jeong Yeon-ho, recommended by Shin Sung, showcased the essence of traditional singing and bending with Lee Tae-ho's 'Miss Go,' earning an All Top. Nam Jin praised, "It's not an imitation trot but natural," while Joo Hyun-mi added, "Such deep trot is rare."
Kim Han-yul's stage, which drew hot attention from the preview release, was finally unveiled. Singing Jang Min-ho's 'Do You Know My Name' while thinking of his sick mother, Kim Han-yul moved the studio to tears, earning an All Top. Nam Jin praised his "innate emotion," while Im Hanbyul emphasized, "He impressed with his skill, not just his story." At the end of the broadcast, it was revealed that the production team and guardians had thoroughly discussed and consulted with psychological experts to convey the news of his mother's passing before the broadcast.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr