The final episode of TV Chosun’s hit audition program Miss Trot 4 aired on March 5, 2026, and what a night it was for fans and contestants alike. After weeks of fierce competition, emotional performances, and nail-biting eliminations, the show’s much-anticipated finale brought together the top five contenders—Gil Ryeo-won, Yoon Tae-hwa, Hong Seong-yoon, Lee Sona, and Heo Chan-mi—for one last showdown. The stakes? Not just the coveted title of “Jin” (champion), but also a chance to redefine their careers and make their mark in the world of trot music.
For Heo Chan-mi, the journey to the finals was especially poignant. As reported by TVDaily, she shared, “It’s my fourth audition, but my first time in the finals.” She reflected on her previous setbacks, explaining, “I thought if I took it one step at a time, I could get there. I switched to being a trot singer and worked hard to improve my shortcomings.” Her determination was evident to everyone who watched her take the stage that night.
The final mission, as described by Sports Hankook, was the “life song” challenge—a performance of the song most meaningful to each contestant’s life. In a twist, the order of performances was set in reverse order of their semi-final rankings: Gil Ryeo-won went first, followed by Yoon Tae-hwa, Hong Seong-yoon, Lee Sona, and finally, Heo Chan-mi. As the anticipation built, viewers across Korea tuned in, ready to cast their real-time votes and support their favorites.
The scoring system was complex but transparent. Each contestant could earn up to 3,000 points, split among three categories: 1,600 points from the panel of masters, 400 points from public support votes, and a whopping 1,000 points from real-time text voting. The public support votes were allocated in descending order—400 for first place, 390 for second, and so on. Real-time text votes played a crucial role, with the top vote-getter receiving the full 1,000 points and the rest receiving scores proportional to their vote totals. This meant that, no matter how well a contestant did with the masters or the online support, the final outcome could swing dramatically in the last moments.
After all the performances concluded, the mid-stage rankings were revealed, and the atmosphere in the studio turned electric. According to SLIST, the master scores out of 1,600 were: Heo Chan-mi in first with 1,583, Gil Ryeo-won close behind at 1,578, Lee Sona at 1,572, Hong Seong-yoon at 1,561, and Yoon Tae-hwa at 1,533. The online support votes shifted the standings slightly: Lee Sona took the top spot with 400 points, Heo Chan-mi followed with 390, then Hong Seong-yoon with 380, Gil Ryeo-won with 370, and Yoon Tae-hwa with 360. When these numbers were combined, Heo Chan-mi edged into first place with 1,973 points—just one point ahead of Lee Sona’s 1,972. Gil Ryeo-won, Hong Seong-yoon, and Yoon Tae-hwa rounded out the rankings, but the margin at the top was razor-thin.
With such a slim lead, the outcome depended almost entirely on the real-time text votes. It was anyone’s game. The tension was palpable as the contestants waited for the final tallies. The show’s format, as Sports Hankook explained, meant that even a single surge in public voting could upend the entire leaderboard.
Heo Chan-mi’s performance was a highlight of the night. She chose to sing Nam Jin’s “It’s Me,” a song that resonated deeply with her journey. Her stage presence and emotional delivery drew cheers and applause from both the judges and the audience. The judges awarded her high marks, with scores ranging from 97 to a perfect 100. As TVDaily reported, her performance “moved the audience,” and the response was overwhelmingly positive. It was clear that she had poured her heart into every note, and it paid off in the judges’ scoring.
But for Heo Chan-mi, the night was about more than just numbers. Reflecting on her long road to the finals, she shared, “There were times when I doubted my singing because of the setbacks from previous auditions. This show helped me rediscover my love and belief in my own music.” Her words struck a chord with viewers who had followed her career, from her time as a member of the idol group F-ve Dolls to her appearance on Produce 101. Even her former bandmates, Hyo-young and Hye-won, showed their support, with Hyo-young describing Heo Chan-mi as “someone who always bounces back, like a roly-poly toy.”
The final moments of the show were a whirlwind. As the votes came in, the rankings shifted, and the suspense reached its peak. Ultimately, Lee Sona pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind victory, clinching the title of “Jin” thanks to a surge of real-time text votes that gave her a 40,000-vote lead, as detailed by Sports Hankook. The result was a stunning reversal, illustrating just how unpredictable and thrilling the competition had become. For Heo Chan-mi, it was a bittersweet ending—so close to the crown, yet just out of reach.
Nevertheless, her journey was celebrated by fans and fellow contestants alike. Her resilience and growth throughout the competition inspired many, and her performances left a lasting impression. The show’s unique scoring system, combining expert opinion with public sentiment, ensured that every voice was heard and every vote counted, making the finale a true reflection of both talent and popular appeal.
As the curtain fell on Miss Trot 4, viewers were left with unforgettable memories and a new champion, but also with a renewed appreciation for the grit and passion of artists like Heo Chan-mi. For her and the other contestants, the end of the show marks not a conclusion, but the beginning of new chapters in their musical journeys—proof that, sometimes, the greatest victories aren’t just about winning, but about finding your voice and sharing it with the world.