Trot Kingdom's Epic Showdown: Kim Yeon-ja Unites Princes Lee Chan-won and Son Tae-jin in a Thrilling Year-End Special

KBS2's 'Immortal Songs' brought a spectacular year-end celebration as Trot Princess Kim Yeon-ja united Prince Lee Chan-won and Prince Son Tae-jin in a grand finale.

The 737th episode, aired on the 27th, was the second part of the '2025 Year-End Special - Trot Kingdom, Game of Thrones.' It featured a thrilling showdown between 'Traditional Trot Prince' Lee Chan-won and 'New Trot Prince' Son Tae-jin, each vying for the coveted throne.

The intense competition captivated viewers, culminating in a nationwide rating of 5.9%, securing the top spot in its time slot, according to Nielsen Korea.

Continuing from the first part, the third round, 'Performance Battle - Turn the Stage Upside Down!' heated up with the talents of young trot prodigies. Kim Da-hyun kicked off with Min Hae-kyung's 'Longing Face,' delivering a powerful performance with dancers. Hwang Min-ho countered with Kim Ji-ae's 'Annoying Person,' energizing the stage with his signature drum performance.

The princes' performance battle was equally captivating. Son Tae-jin performed Han Young-ae's 'Is Anyone There?' with a sensual dance, while Lee Chan-won chose Geum Jan-di's 'Brother,' earning cheers with his dynamic moves. The third round victory went to the 'Traditional Trot Team,' with Lee Chan-won expressing his delight.

The fourth round, 'Hidden Card Battle,' showcased Son Bin-a's deep vocals with Bae Ho's 'Who's Crying,' and Chun Gil's unique rendition of Jang Yoon-jung's 'Train to Mokpo.' The real 'hidden cards' then took the stage, with Lee Chan-won and Hwang Yoon-seong performing Choi Heon's 'Cherry,' and Son Tae-jin with Liberante (Kim Ji-hoon & Jin-won) delivering a crossover harmony with Patti Kim's 'You Are My Friend.'

Traditional Trot's Shin Shin-ae dominated with 'The World is a Mess,' while New Trot's Lee Park-sa countered with his hit 'Monkey Music,' elevating the atmosphere. The fourth round ended with a victory for the New Trot Team, tying the score at 2-2.

The final fifth round, 'Princess's Choice - Who Will Claim the Throne?' was a surprise twist, with the mysterious 'Princess' deciding the winner. The princess, revealed to be trot legend Kim Yeon-ja, entertained with 'Mercury Lamp' and her new song 'Sookdeokkoong.'

After much deliberation, Kim Yeon-ja declared a 'draw,' stating, "Everyone performed so well, I wanted to give the throne to both." The princes embraced and danced in celebration.

Son Tae-jin expressed gratitude for the title, acknowledging the fans' love for both traditional and new trot. Lee Chan-won, too, shared his commitment to advancing trot music.

The '2025 Year-End Special - Trot Kingdom, Game of Thrones' concluded with Kim Yeon-ja and the princes performing 'Amor Party,' marking a successful end to the event.

This special episode showcased the rich spectrum of trot music, with traditional depth and new trot's bold performances. The unpredictable showdown between Lee Chan-won and Son Tae-jin provided viewers with unforgettable excitement.

'Immortal Songs' airs every Saturday at 6:05 PM on KBS 2TV.

Reporter: Im Chae-ryeong, Ten Asia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr