Mr. Trot 3 Debuts with Emotional Performances and High Ratings

The highly anticipated debut of TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 3' aired on December 19, captivating audiences with heartfelt stories and impressive performances. One standout contestant, 39-year-old air conditioning installer Park Ji-hoo, delivered a moving rendition of 'Thank You, Life' (originally by Jo Hang-jo). His husky voice resonated with the pain of his past, as he expressed gratitude for life despite its hardships.

Park Ji-hoo's journey has been marked by adversity; raised by his grandmother after his parents' divorce, he faced loneliness and poverty from a young age. He shared, 'I was cold, hungry, scared, and lonely. It was hard to receive warm words or compliments, and no one was there to help me.' Despite contemplating giving up, he found solace in singing, a talent he inherited from his parents.

His emotional performance brought tears to the eyes of the judges, including MC Kim Sung-joo, who praised him for his resilience and encouraged him to inspire others through his music. Park Ji-hoo's performance quickly gained traction online, amassing over 230,000 views and 2,000 comments within 12 hours on TV Chosun's official YouTube channel. He received 'all hearts' from all 18 judges, including nine senior masters and nine stars from previous seasons, securing his place in the next round.

The show also featured a diverse array of contestants, including the youngest participant, 8-year-old Yoo Ji-woo, who impressed with his clear voice while performing 'Jeongnyeong' (originally by Jo Hang-jo). Master Lee Chan-won expressed his surprise and gratitude, stating that he found answers to his recent musical dilemmas through the performances.

In the active division, 33-year-old Kim Yong-bin, a 21-year veteran of the industry, shared his feelings of dwindling performance opportunities while delivering a captivating rendition of Tae Jin-ah's 'Lover.' Ballad singer Moses, now performing as trot singer Chun-gil, broke the record for the fastest 'all hearts' received by singing 'Your Name' by Hyun-chul in just one verse.

The show concluded with a nationwide rating of 12.9%, peaking at 13.5%, making it the top-rated program across all channels for the day.