Mr. Trot 3: TOP7 Revealed in Record-Breaking Episode

A new chapter in the history of Mr. Trot has been written with the emergence of the glorious TOP7. According to Nielsen Korea, the 11th episode of TV CHOSUN's Mr. Trot 3, aired on March 6, achieved a nationwide rating of 16.1%, setting a new record for the show. This impressive figure made it the top-rated program across all channels during its time slot, including terrestrial, general programming, and cable networks. The peak viewership soared to 17.1%, reflecting the immense interest from viewers in the fate of the TOP7.

The episode featured the second round of the semifinals, a crucial step towards the finals. This round introduced a unique challenge called the 'Authentic Trot Battle,' where the destinies of ten trot singers were determined through a single performance of traditional trot music. This mission emphasized the importance of understanding and cherishing the essence of trot music. The contestants selected one song from a list of 150 traditional trot tracks recommended by the show's ten masters, stepping onto the stage with heightened anticipation.

A special privilege for the ultimate winner of Mr. Trot 3 was revealed, further igniting the contestants' passion. The show's master and renowned singer-songwriter, Young-tak, will compose the winning song. He expressed confidence, stating, "I have watched all the contestants' performances from the beginning, and I believe I can create a song that fits the winner perfectly."

The top performer of the second semifinal round was Son Bin-a, who scored a total of 1752 points. She delivered a powerful rendition of Baek Ho's posthumous song 'The Last Leaf,' captivating the audience from the very first note. Recognized as the season's best performer, Son Bin-a showcased her exceptional vocal skills with two key changes. Master Lee Kyung-kyu, a fan of Baek Ho, remarked, "It felt like Baek Ho had been reincarnated. I almost cried."

Choi Jae-myung, Kim Yong-bin, and Cheon Rok-dam followed in second, third, and fourth places, respectively. Choi Jae-myung chose 'I Only Loved You' by Seol Woon-do, enchanting the audience with his romantic voice and performance, particularly noted for his impressive transformation in traditional singing style. He secured fourth place in the master scores and earned 277 points from the national representative panel, securing his spot in the TOP7.

Veteran singer Kim Yong-bin, with 22 years of experience, showcased his expertise with 'Living in a Foreign Land,' a song released in the 1930s by Go Bok-soo. Despite the repetitive rhythm lasting through four verses, Kim Yong-bin's skillful control of dynamics kept the performance engaging.

Cheon Rok-dam, who had previously faced challenges in traditional trot, delivered a heartfelt performance of Kim Yong-im's 'Life Like a Water Lily,' demonstrating his solid vocal ability and improved vocal techniques. Both Kim Yong-bin and Cheon Rok-dam received identical master scores of 1461, but Kim Yong-bin edged ahead by a single point in audience votes.

Chun-gil, who had tied for second place in the first semifinal round with Kim Yong-bin, faced a significant drop in ranking due to a critical mistake, finishing in a tie for sixth place with Chu Hyuk-jin, just making it into the TOP7. Despite a slip-up during his performance of 'Others' by Lee Mi-ja, Chun-gil's heartfelt voice earned praise from Master Joo Young-hoon, who noted, "He has the voice and breath suitable for singing traditional trot. This was his best performance yet."

The final TOP7 of Mr. Trot 3 has been confirmed: Son Bin-a, Choi Jae-myung, Kim Yong-bin, Cheon Rok-dam, Nam Seung-min, Chu Hyuk-jin, and Chun-gil. The stage is now set for the final showdown, where one contestant will claim the title of the new trot king. With 101 teams competing, the resilience of these trot singers will be on full display in the finals. The highly anticipated finale of Mr. Trot 3 will air on TV CHOSUN on March 13 at 9:30 PM.