On the latest episode of TV CHOSUN's 'Dad and Me Season 3,' 'Miss Trot 4' runner-up Huh Chan-mi made a special appearance as the new 'daughter representative.'
Aired on the 15th, the episode featured Huh Chan-mi, who joined the show alongside her senior 'daughter representative' Bae Ah-hyun. Bae shared that after appearing on 'Dad and Me' with her father, their relationship has grown closer, even leading to occasional arguments. The 'Miss Trot' duo, Bae Ah-hyun and Huh Chan-mi, prepared a special stage for the show.
Huh Chan-mi captivated the audience with her rendition of Kim Yong-im's 'Love's Rope,' leaving everyone spellbound. Jeon Soo-kyung expressed her admiration, saying, "I want to tie her up with a rope and make her sing at home." Following this, Bae Ah-hyun performed Yoo Ji-na's 'Ugly Man' with her clear, jewel-like voice, touching the hearts of listeners. When Jeon Hyun-moo announced a special guest performance, Han Hye-jin, Hyun Joo-yeop, Jeon Soo-kyung, Soo-bin, and Huh Chan-mi anticipated Lim Young-woong's appearance. However, the surprise guest was 'Yagung's Dad' Kim Jung-tae, who got everyone dancing to Lee Kwang-jo's 'Joyful Life.'
The episode also introduced the daily life of 'Seven-time Resilient Trot Fighter' Huh Chan-mi's family. Having debuted 17 years ago and recently becoming the runner-up on 'Miss Trot 4,' Huh Chan-mi is leading a busy life. Her mother, who joined her in the competition, and her father, a devoted 'lover' of his wife and daughter, started their day by watching Huh Chan-mi's 'Miss Trot 4' performances.
To avoid waking their daughter, they kept the TV volume low and whispered. When Huh Chan-mi's mother expressed a craving for juice, her father quietly prepared fruit and used a blender on the balcony, far from Huh Chan-mi's room. Thanks to their consideration, Huh Chan-mi enjoyed a restful sleep. Upon waking, she was moved to tears by her parents' unseen efforts. Her parents prepared a beef breakfast for her, and Huh Chan-mi playfully claimed it was the toughest meat she'd ever had, encouraging her parents to try it, which brought laughter to the table. Han Hye-jin commented, "They are like a family from a fairy tale. So kind."
Huh Chan-mi's mother, who shed tears watching 'Miss Trot 4' videos in the morning, revealed, "Dad cries in the shower." Surprised by this revelation, Huh Chan-mi was taken aback. Despite facing numerous setbacks in her career, including being cut from the debut lineup of 'Girls' Generation,' the disbandment of 'Co-Ed School,' and leaving 'F-ve Dolls,' Huh Chan-mi never gave up on her dream of becoming a singer. She even participated in survival programs, only to face harsh criticism, leading to extreme thoughts.
Huh Chan-mi's father wished for her to give up her 'singer dream.' However, determined to make one last attempt, Huh Chan-mi participated in 'Miss Trot 4' and emerged as the runner-up after a long period of struggle. Her mother shared, "I was disappointed when she didn't win, but I realized she was meant to have a positive influence." Her father added, "We were upset when the rankings changed due to the national vote. Everyone congratulated her on being the runner-up, but it was bittersweet for us." Hearing her parents' true feelings for the first time, Huh Chan-mi tearfully apologized for causing them distress.
After a hearty meal, Huh Chan-mi accompanied her parents to the church where her father serves as a pastor. In his youth, he was a composer for artists like Nam Jin, Park Woo-chul, Kim Yoon-hee, and Kim Soo-ran, and even pursued a singing career. Nam Jin, known as the 'eternal oppa,' praised Huh Chan-mi, saying, "I didn't know you had such a talented daughter. She inherited your musicality. I'm excited for her future." Transitioning from idol to trot singer, Huh Chan-mi received vocal training from her father and continued to do so in preparation for performances. She passionately sang 'You Are My Friend,' earning her father's praise.
However, her father soon offered constructive criticism, saying, "You lack expressiveness," and "Control your tempo." Jeon Hyun-moo noted, "The real feedback is coming now." Despite finding her father's coaching challenging, Huh Chan-mi's mother, a former singer, joined in, creating a surround lesson environment. Her father sternly urged, "Do it right," but after the lesson, Huh Chan-mi's performance showed significant improvement in emotion and skill. She expressed gratitude, saying, "During vocal training, it doesn't feel like a father-daughter relationship. His persistent coaching helped me reach this position."
Meanwhile, the Huh family hosted a lavish meal for Huh Chan-mi's aunt, who supported her during the competition, and her father's students, singers Park Woo-chul and Heo Joon. Huh Chan-mi expressed her gratitude to her parents and supporters, who stood by her side. Her father, who lost 4kg while managing his wife and daughter's schedules, reminisced about waiting for hours during their courtship. Despite meeting through music, Huh Chan-mi's father gave up his dream of becoming a singer to pursue a pastoral path, as his father-in-law opposed the idea of marrying a musician.
Five years into their marriage, Huh Chan-mi's mother fulfilled her husband's dream by forming the duet group 'Doolbaragi' and releasing an album. Her father, prioritizing his wife's happiness over his own dreams, tearfully expressed, "I don't regret not becoming a singer, but I regret not helping my wife achieve her dream. I'm always sorry." The Huh family, who passed on their dreams to their daughter, encouraged her to continue pursuing her passion. The studio was moved by their story, remarking, "They don't seem like a real family." Thanks to their daughter, Huh Chan-mi's parents joined her in performing 'You and I' by Sorisae, realizing their unfulfilled dream of becoming singers.
TV CHOSUN's 'Dad and Me Season 3' airs every Wednesday at 10 PM.
Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr