'The King of Trot 2' Reveals Top 10 Finalists as Competition Heats Up

The competition on MBN's 'The King of Trot 2' is reaching its peak as Kang Moon-kyung, Shin Seung-tae, Hwanhee, Jin Hae-sung, Kim Junsu, Shin Yoo, Kim Soo-chan, Park Seo-jin, Choi Soo-ho, and Enoch have emerged as the Top 10 finalists heading into the finals.

The 11th episode, aired on the 11th, achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 13.1%, peaking at 14.1%, according to Nielsen Korea.

This episode featured the intense second round 'Makjang Battle,' the last solo showdown before the finals. Following the first round's '1-on-1 Genre Battle' worth 400 points, the stakes were raised with the second round offering 860 points. The scoring was divided between 605 points from celebrity judges and 255 points from the public panel, with the final rankings revealed at the end.

The first performer, Jae-ha, showcased his high notes in 'The End of Separation,' earning praise for engaging with the audience without closing his eyes, a first in the show's history. However, he received feedback that his performance was not at his usual level.

Kim Kyung-min, who ranked last in the first round, attempted to overturn his position with 'Lost Affection,' but was critiqued for lacking depth and conviction.

'K-Trot Performer' Na Tae-joo delivered a visually engaging performance with 'Sangpalja,' but injuries during practice hindered his full potential. No Ji-hoon moved the audience with 'Irreversible Time,' a tribute to his sisters who supported him after their parents passed away.

Choi Soo-ho chose the 1928 song 'Hwangseong Old Site,' aiming to express its emotions, but struggled to convey the song's historical loss.

Kim Junsu, inspired by traditional Korean music, performed 'Can't Find the Cuckoo,' blending various elements into a captivating mashup that earned him high praise and a score of 539 points, placing him first.

'Bongshin' Kang Moon-kyung captivated with 'Because I'm a Woman,' embodying the song's character and earning 555 points, surpassing Kim Junsu.

Enoch's creative performance of 'Okkyung' impressed but received a caution about potential monotony from Seol Woon-do.

Jin Hae-sung overcame vocal challenges to deliver 'A Piece of Picture Lying Long on Time,' earning 568 points and taking the lead.

Kim Soo-chan showcased his range with 'Yoon Jong-ro Love Song,' praised by the original artist Joo Hyun-mi.

Park Seo-jin, overcoming pressure, delivered an emotional performance of 'Gone Love,' tying with Jin Hae-sung for first place with 568 points.

Hwanhee, after consulting his mother, performed 'Your Name,' impressing with his unique trot technique.

Shin Yoo's seasoned performance of 'Ball' earned him 581 points, placing him first.

Shin Seung-tae's dynamic performance of 'Four Beats' with his signature percussion earned him 583 points, securing the top spot.

After combining scores from both rounds, the semi-final rankings were revealed, with Kang Moon-kyung leading, followed by Shin Seung-tae, Hwanhee, Kim Soo-chan, Jin Hae-sung, Kim Junsu, Shin Yoo, Choi Soo-ho, and Park Seo-jin. The final nine advancing to the finals were determined after adding the public panel scores.

Enoch, initially at risk of elimination, secured a spot in the finals with the highest public votes among the bottom contenders.

Reporter: Tae Yuna, Ten Asia youyou@tenasia.co.kr