Lee Sona Wins 'Miss Trot 4' with Stunning Comeback, Secures $300,000 Prize

Lee Sona emerged as the winner of the $300,000 grand prize on TV Chosun's 'Miss Trot 4' finale, which aired live on the 5th. She achieved a dramatic comeback by securing the top spot in the real-time text voting.

Lee Sona received 256,310 votes out of a total of 1,110,784 votes (916,030 valid votes) in the real-time text voting, earning a perfect score of 1,000 points. This accounted for 27.98% of the total votes.

The finale was conducted with a total score of 3,000 points, combining 1,600 points from the judges, 400 points from online fan votes, and 1,000 points from real-time text voting.

In the judges' scores, Lee Sona ranked third with 1,572 points, following Heo Chanmi (1,583 points) and Gil Ryeowon (1,579 points). However, she received a perfect score of 400 points in the online fan votes, moving up to second place in the interim rankings. She then achieved a perfect score in the real-time text voting, completing her comeback to secure the top position.

The broadcast achieved a record-high viewership rating of 18.1%, with the peak occurring during the announcement of the top three (11:37 PM to 12:11 AM). This indicates the high level of interest from viewers in the final results.

Lee Sona had previously shown an upward trend in the semifinals through live text voting. Despite being ranked 8th out of 10 contestants, she climbed to 4th place in the interim rankings and eventually secured 2nd place to advance to the finals.

During the 'Life Song Mission,' she chose Patti Kim's 'Love is the Flower of Life.' Before her performance, Lee Sona expressed that her family's love was what brought her to this stage, resonating with the audience. She shared, "Despite our difficult circumstances, I was able to grow up well because my family sacrificed so much," expressing gratitude towards her family.

As a traditional Korean folk song instructor, she showcased her vocal prowess and emotional expression, captivating the audience with her performance.

Lee Sona's family story also touched many hearts. Her mother, who supported her through various hardships, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in her 40s and has been battling the illness for a long time. Throughout the competition, Lee Sona shared her family's financial struggles and her mother's illness, moving viewers to tears.

Despite being praised for her flawless performances, she was sometimes criticized for being 'too perfect,' likened to an 'AI.' On this occasion, she revealed the background behind her performances, showing a more human side. She also expressed her desire to use the prize money to support her parents, adding to the emotional impact.

After being announced as the winner, Lee Sona said, "I sincerely thank the production team and staff. Above all, I want to express my deep gratitude to my family, who have loved me generously. I promise to become someone who can protect and support them."

Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr