Intense Competition Unfolds in 'Golden Cup Race' on 'Golden Friday'

The 'Golden Cup Race' on TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday' has entered a fierce competition.

In the 18th episode aired on the 24th, 'Golden Star' Kim Soo-hee made an appearance, intensifying the trot deathmatch for the second Golden Cup. The episode delivered thrilling excitement as last week's winners, Jin Kim Yong-bin, Sun Son Bin-ah, Mi Cheon Rok-dam, and Oh Yoo-jin, all faced unexpected defeats. The episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 4% according to Nielsen Korea, with peak ratings reaching 4.5%, making it the top program among daily general programming and cable shows.

The first match saw the appearance of the 'Super Catfish Singer,' freezing the atmosphere. The performer was the former Golden Star, 'Trot Diva' Kim Yong-im. She heightened the tension by selecting Cheon Rok-dam and Yang Ji-eun as her opponents.

Cheon Rok-dam showcased explosive energy with 'Namhaeng Train,' while Yang Ji-eun maximized emotional depth with 'Dan-hyeon,' even bringing tears to the original singer Kim Soo-hee. Yang Ji-eun, scoring 98 points, outperformed Cheon Rok-dam and faced Kim Yong-im in the final showdown. Despite Kim Yong-im's powerful rendition of 'Seoul Woman,' she scored 96 points. Yang Ji-eun defeated the Super Catfish, earning two stars and signaling an uprising from the lower ranks.

In the second round, the 'eternal rivals' Chun-gil and Kim Yong-bin faced off. Chun-gil chose 'Hwa-deung,' a song Kim Soo-hee wrote for her mother, intertwining his narrative of performing under his father's name, creating a deeply authentic stage. Chun-gil scored a high 99 points and boldly challenged Kim Yong-bin with a declaration, "I will crush it."

Kim Yong-bin countered with Kim Soo-hee's life song, Choi Hee-jun's 'Jongjeom,' showcasing overwhelming vocal prowess. Kim Soo-hee praised his technique, saying, "It's a style that captivates women," and colleagues agreed it was the best stage they've seen. However, despite the rave reviews, the karaoke master score was 93 points. Chun-gil claimed victory, finally avenging himself against Kim Yong-bin and securing his first golden star.

Chu Hyuk-jin, who had been suffering in the 'last place club,' finally beamed with a golden smile. He chose 'Flower of Passion' and delivered a dazzling hip performance, scoring the only perfect 100 points of the day, turning the tide. Son Bin-ah pursued with 'I Can't Forget You,' delivering a deeply immersive performance with a voice full of longing, but fell short by just one point, scoring 99 points. The match was decided by a single point, highlighting the stark contrast in fortunes.

In the fourth round, Nam Seung-min and Choi Jae-myung clashed. Nam Seung-min delivered Kim Soo-hee's hit 'Mong-ae' with stable vocals, while Choi Jae-myung completed 'Jeonggeo-jang' with rhythmic dance, resulting in a tight contest. Despite the fierce stage, both scored 98 points, failing to earn a golden star.

The final round saw the first-ever family showdown between Oh Yoo-jin and Jin Jeong Seo-joo on 'Golden Friday.' Oh Yoo-jin showcased deepened emotions with 'Lost Affection,' while Jeong Seo-joo, choosing Kim Soo-hee's debut song 'Too Much,' filled the stage with an incredible level of immersion for a 19-year-old. The match was decided by just one point, with Jeong Seo-joo achieving a dramatic victory and escaping the starless status.

As the gap in golden stars among members narrows, the second Golden Cup race has entered an unpredictable phase. Next week, the recently concluded 'Miss Trot 4' stars are set to appear, promising an even more intense deathmatch. Meanwhile, TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday' airs every Friday at 10 PM.

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