MBN's 'Active Singer 3' Stars Gear Up for '2026 Korea-Japan Singer Battle'

The top seven contestants from 'Active Singer 3' are gearing up for the '2026 Korea-Japan Singer Battle' with high hopes and aspirations.

On the morning of the 11th, a press conference for MBN's 'Active Singer 3' was held at the Stanford Hotel Korea in Sangam. Attendees included the top seven: Hong Ji-yoon, Cha Ji-yeon, Lee Soo-yeon, Koo Soo-kyung, Kang Hye-yeon, and Solji. Kim Tae-yeon was absent due to school commitments.

'Active Singer 3' concluded on the 10th. The show is a national representative selection survival music variety program where top-tier active singers from various genres in Korea compete fiercely for the Taegeuk mark.

The first-place trophy was claimed by Hong Ji-yoon, who previously secured second place in 'Miss Trot 2' in 2021. She stated, "There is power in music," and expressed her desire to provide energy to those in need of comfort and solace. She also announced her intention to donate her 100 million won prize, fulfilling a promise she made during 'Miss Trot 2.'

Cha Ji-yeon, a 20-year veteran musical actress, took second place. She acknowledged the concerns of many regarding her participation but expressed her desire not to become a complacent actress. She shared, "I wanted to be someone who expands my own world. This process is tough but enjoyable and fulfilling. I've been perceived as strong, but I'm glad to show a more relaxed side and feel closer to the public."

Cha Ji-yeon has a busy schedule ahead, including musicals 'Seopyeonje' and 'Lempicka,' as well as drama appearances. When asked about balancing her roles as a musical actress and a trot singer, she vowed to actively engage in both fields without complacency.

Lee Soo-yeon, at just 13 years old, secured a spot in the top three. Due to her minor status, she couldn't attend the live broadcast the previous day. She recalled, "I watched the announcement of the top seven with my grandfather at home, and my heart was pounding, like it was beating twice per second."

Despite her young age, Lee Soo-yeon impressed viewers with her exceptional song interpretation skills. She mentioned, "There are many love songs in trot, but I don't know much about love. I ask my grandmother and try to understand the lyrics on my own, putting in a lot of effort."

Koo Soo-kyung, who placed fourth, made her first broadcast appearance through this competition. She humorously recounted an episode from the early days of filming, saying, "During my first interview, the writer asked me to clap the slate. I thought it meant to clap like a seal to show I did well."

Dubbed the 'underdog's rebellion,' Koo Soo-kyung expressed her determination to show that even unknown singers can reach great heights if they don't give up and work hard.

Kang Hye-yeon, who often faced elimination in previous competitions, was named fifth. She shared, "I've participated in auditions five times, always falling short. After yesterday's ranking announcement, I realized that perseverance pays off."

The top seven are set to perform in concerts and gala shows. They will also represent Korea in the '2026 Korea-Japan Singer Battle' airing on April 14th. Cha Ji-yeon expressed her ambition to create a unique song that no one can imitate as a representative of Korea. Lee Soo-yeon added, "I will remember the support from those who voted for me and strive to do well in the 'Korea-Japan Singer Battle' with my fellow contestants." Kang Hye-yeon confidently stated, "I will make sure to outshine the Japanese singers."

Meanwhile, the final episode of 'Active Singer 3' recorded a peak viewership rating of 12.4% and a nationwide rating of 11.7%, according to Nielsen Korea.

Reporter: Da-yeon Jeong, Ten Asia light@tenasia.co.kr