TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday' Heats Up with 'Mister vs Miss' Showdown

TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday' captivated audiences with a thrilling showdown between the original stars of the trot genre.

On the 19th episode aired on the 1st, the 'Mister vs Miss' special featured a fierce team battle between the TOP7 of 'Mr. Trot 3' and the leading figures from past seasons of 'Miss Trot'. The stakes were high with golden stars on the line, leading to an intense deathmatch. The episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 4.2% according to Nielsen Korea, with peak ratings reaching 4.6%, making it the top program among daily general programming and cable shows.

The atmosphere was tense from the first round. Chun-gil and Jang Hye-ri, who previously sparked interest with their chemistry on the 'Miss Trot 4' joint stage, faced off. Jang Hye-ri delivered a provocative performance with Min Hae-kyung's 'Mini Skirt', captivating the audience. Chun-gil performed Nam Jin's 'Where is Love', kneeling on stage in a passionate 'dance of courtship', energizing the venue. Despite his fervent performance, Chun-gil scored 87 points, while Jang Hye-ri triumphed with 96 points.

In the second round, a match between 25-year veteran balladeer Cheon Rok-dam and Yumi took place. Cheon Rok-dam, known for his beautiful voice, elevated the trot emotion with Seol Woon-do's 'Compass', scoring a perfect 100 points and showcasing his overwhelming presence. The audience praised him, saying, "He showed his true self," and "He is now a complete trot singer." Yumi delivered a powerful rendition of Park Kyung-hee's 'The Brilliant Light in the Flowers', but fell short with 97 points.

The third round saw a close contest between Son Bin-ah and Yoon Yoon-seo. Son Bin-ah flawlessly performed Na Hoon-a's 'Numa', scoring 99 points, while Yoon Yoon-seo impressed with Jeon Mi-kyung's 'Jang Nok-su', earning 98 points. The narrow 1-point difference led to Son Bin-ah's victory.

In the fourth round, Jin Kim Yong-bin faced Jin Yang Ji-eun. Kim Yong-bin, singing Hyun Chul's 'Like My Heart and Stars', captivated with his heartfelt voice, earning admiration from his peers who remarked, "Jin's song is different." Yang Ji-eun countered with Imi-ja's 'Island Village Teacher', showcasing her solid vocal skills. In a close match, Yang Ji-eun won with 97 points, securing a victory for the Miss team.

The fifth round highlighted the rising momentum of Chu Hyuk-jin. Yeom Yu-ri, the first performer, left a strong impression with Joo Hyun-mi's 'It Was Really Good', showcasing a challenging four-octave high note. Chu Hyuk-jin followed with Ha Dong-jin's 'Fate', dominating the stage with his unique performance and stable live singing, ultimately scoring a perfect 100 points for the second consecutive week.

In the sixth and seventh rounds, the Miss team's momentum continued. Jin Jeong Seo-joo proved her presence by defeating Choi Jae-myung with Sim Soo-bong's 'Mugunghwa', earning praise from Yumi, who said, "It feels like a pop star doing traditional trot." Kim Yong-bin also commented, "The interpretation was perfect from the first verse." In the final round, Mi Oh Yoo-jin lifted the mood with 'Nami-ga', securing a win against Nam Seung-min.

The 'Mister vs Miss' deathmatch concluded with the Miss team's victory. The defeated Mister team members had to return one golden star each, hinting at significant changes in the upcoming Golden Cup race. Previously, Kim Yong-bin, the winner of TV CHOSUN's 'Mr. Trot 3', received a prize of 300 million won, with a net amount of approximately 286.8 million won after taxes. Kim Yong-bin plans to share some of the prize with his aunt, give gifts to his members, and express gratitude to his fan club 'Sarangbin'. Meanwhile, TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday' airs every Friday at 10 PM.

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