Tap Dance Debut Leaves Judges in Awe on Mister Trot 3
In the latest episode of TV Chosun's Mister Trot 3, aired on January 16, the current contestants of Group 2, known as the 'Trot Avengers,' showcased an impressive tap dance performance while singing Hyun In's classic 'Dream in a Dream.' The team, consisting of Son Bin-a (손빈아), Kim Yong-bin (김용빈), Chu Hyuk-jin (추혁진), and Chun-gil (춘길), triumphed over Group 3 with a score of 14 to 3.
Chun-gil, the eldest member at 45, comforted his teammates backstage as they dealt with the pressure of high expectations. "We felt a lot of pressure and burden because of the expectations placed on us. We practiced until dawn, and many of us fell ill just days before the competition," he shared.
The Trot Avengers, formed by Son Bin-a, who had the first pick during the preliminary round, included seasoned artists like Kim Yong-bin, a 22-year veteran of the trot genre, and Chu Hyuk-jin, who ranked ninth in Mister Trot 2. Their rendition of 'Dream in a Dream,' originally from a 1942 Chinese film, was arranged in a jazz style, allowing each member to shine.
The performance featured a seamless blend of vocals, with Son Bin-a's rhythmic solo leading into Chun-gil's high notes, followed by Kim Yong-bin's solid delivery and Chu Hyuk-jin's powerful voice. The tap dance segment was executed with precision, adding a dynamic layer to their performance.
Despite their success, the journey was not without challenges. Harsh critiques during rehearsals kept the team awake at night, and their practice sessions left their white socks stained with blood from the rigorous tap dancing. Ultimately, their hard work paid off, earning them a standing ovation from all 14 judges and enthusiastic cheers from the audience of 200.
The episode also featured other groups, including the university division and various genre teams, with a total of 34 teams advancing to the next round of the competition. The ratings for the episode reached 11.9%, maintaining its position as the top-rated program in its time slot, with a peak rating of 13.9%.