Breast Cancer Survivor Lee Ji-na Triumphs in Emotional 'Miss Trot 4' Showdown

Lee Ji-na, who is battling breast cancer, overcame the pain of chemotherapy to deliver a heartfelt performance, defeating the talented Kim Hee-jin to advance to the next round.

On the October 10th episode of TV Chosun's 'Miss Trot 4 Unreleased Special,' the fateful one-on-one deathmatch between Lee Ji-na and Kim Hee-jin was revealed.

Five years ago, the two met on a musical stage as a lead and a chorus member. Now, they reunited as competitors, engaging in a fierce battle. Despite being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy while participating in the audition, Lee Ji-na showed a strong determination for the stage, deeply moving the audience.

Lee Ji-na took the stage first, performing Jang Min-ho's 'Shoelaces.' Before her performance, she expressed her earnest desire to inspire those in more challenging situations than herself. Despite the severe pain following chemotherapy, she dedicated herself to practice whenever her immune system allowed. Her lyrical yet powerful vocals completed the performance. When asked about her health by Kim Sung-joo, Lee Ji-na shared that she is recovering and receiving treatment, maintaining a bright smile.

As Lee Ji-na's song resonated, the master seats and waiting room were soon filled with tears. Master Kim Hee-jae was seen wiping away tears throughout the performance, drawing sympathy from those around. Kim Hee-jae confessed to becoming a fan of Lee Ji-na, praising her voice's will to live and positive message, which deeply touched his heart. Boom also empathized with Kim Hee-jae's tears, sharing his emotional turmoil.

In response, Kim Hee-jin passionately sang Song Ga-in's 'Father's Tears,' conveying the emotions of a daughter about to get married. Despite her unique husky voice capturing the heartfelt emotions, an unexpected incident occurred during her performance, posing a challenge. After a heart-wrenching showdown between the two contestants, the masters chose Lee Ji-na, allowing her to continue her journey of hope in the next round.

By Chaeryeong Lim, Ten Asia Reporter syjj426@tenasia.co.kr