Mr. Trot 3 Kicks Off with Surprising Contestants and Performances

The new season of TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 3' premiered on December 19, showcasing a vibrant lineup of university contestants. Among them was 20-year-old Yoon Dong-jin, who introduced himself as 'Oil Nam' and performed 'Paradise,' a song from the soundtrack of the film 'Mask Man,' produced by new master Lee Kyung-kyu. His performance, reminiscent of actor Lee Byung-jun, earned him an 'All Heart' and a spot in the finals.

Lee Kyung-kyu expressed his delight, noting that the song plays during a pivotal scene in the film where he plays the piano. Music director Joo Young-hoon praised Yoon's choice, calling it a brilliant move, and he even earned the nickname 'Trot's Remario' for his performance.

Next up was Nam Seung-min, who previously appeared as the eldest in the youth division during the first season, where Lim Young-woong won. Now an adult and serving in the Navy band, he surprised everyone by performing in military attire. Despite initial nerves, he delivered a confident rendition of 'Mungbu-seok,' showcasing his matured vocal skills that captivated the judges, who were all on their feet in excitement. However, he missed out on the 'All Heart' due to new master Siu-min being too engrossed in the performance to press the button in time.

Taekwondo practitioners Na Seung-woo and Song Do-yoon also participated, having previously achieved runner-up status on 'Britain's Got Talent.' They performed 'Bang Bang' by Park Sang-cheol, incorporating impressive acrobatics and martial arts moves, but only received 11 hearts, with Boom commenting on the need for better song-performance integration.

The final contestant, Choi Jae-myung, received an immediate confession of love from master Lee Eun-ji due to his charming looks, including a distinctive beauty mark. Lee praised his appearance, while An Sung-hoon, a winner from 'Mr. Trot 2,' noted that he resembled his fellow contestant Park Ji-hyun.

Choi Jae-myung, who previously modeled for the drama 'D.P.' starring Jung Hae-in, showcased his vocal talent by performing 'Sangsahwa' by Ahn Ye-eun, earning an 'All Heart' for his impressive singing. Judge Jang Yoon-jung complimented his captivating voice, while Lee Kyung-kyu expressed interest in signing him to his agency.