So Yi-hyun Shines as New Judge on Mister Trot 3

On December 19, 2024, the highly anticipated third season of TV Chosun's popular variety show Mister Trot (미스터트롯3) premiered, featuring actress So Yi-hyun as a new judge, much to the delight of fans. Known for her vibrant personality, So Yi-hyun introduced herself as the 'cheerful and beautiful mom' of the new judging panel. Her stunning appearance caused quite a stir in the waiting room, and she expressed her excitement about balancing her roles as an actress and a mother, stating, "I want to see how much I can shake up these two emotions."

The judging format has also evolved, with new masters including Lee Kyung-kyu and Xiumin joining the panel. The evaluation process now divides judges into two groups: senior masters and public masters. Contestants who receive all 18 hearts from the judges will advance directly to the main round, while those earning between 10 to 17 hearts will be considered as preliminary qualifiers.

Importantly, contestants must secure a majority of hearts from one judging group to qualify; for instance, if a contestant receives 10 hearts but only 4 from the senior masters and 6 from the public masters, they will be eliminated despite the total count.

The first contestant to take the stage was college student Yoon Dong-jin, who performed Lee Byung-jun's 'Paradise.' At just 20 years old, he showcased impressive dance moves and muscular physique, earning an immediate 'all hearts' from the judges. So Yi-hyun was visibly impressed, exclaiming, "I was so surprised. This is such a fresh body!" which elicited laughter from those around her.