On the evening of February 21, 2026, the 745th episode of KBS2’s long-running music competition show Immortal Songs aired, electrifying audiences with a star-studded tribute to one of Korea’s most enduring musical legends: Seol Woon-do. Aptly titled “Immortal Songs – Artist Seol Woon-do Special,” the broadcast brought together a remarkable array of both established and up-and-coming talents, all vying for the honor of being named the next legend, and, perhaps more importantly, the approval of the man himself.
The lineup for this much-anticipated special was nothing short of impressive. Ten teams took the stage, including Son Tae-jin, Jadu, Kim Soo-chan, Lee Seung-hyun, LUN8, Cheon Rok-dam, D82, Jeon Yu-jin, the musical duo Kim So-hyang and Yoon Hyung-ryul from Anna Karenina, and Park Seo-jin. Each artist or group brought their own flair to Seol Woon-do’s iconic repertoire, creating a musical mosaic that spanned genres and generations. As reported by iMBC, the episode was a true celebration of Seol Woon-do’s influence, with even the show’s format reflecting the breadth of his impact on Korean music.
The competition was split into two distinct camps: the “Trot Faction” (트로트파) led by Kim Soo-chan, and the “Other Genres Faction” (타 장르파) headed by Jadu. From the outset, sparks flew between the two groups. Kim Soo-chan, never one to shy away from a little showmanship, quipped, “You can tell the difference just by looking at our outfits. Is this what rivalry feels like?” punctuating his words with a spot-on impression of Seol Woon-do. Not to be outdone, Jadu rallied her team with an energetic, “Everyone, get up!” complete with a full-body performance that had the audience grinning. MC Lee Chan-won, himself a product of the trot world, couldn’t resist fanning the flames, pointing out that the Trot Faction boasted a lineup of past first-place winners. Jadu fired back, “We can show our own unique colors, different from the trot singers. It’s a feast of talent,” raising the energy in the studio even higher.
But the episode wasn’t just about playful bickering and genre pride. It was also a heartfelt reflection on Seol Woon-do’s career, with each performance serving as both homage and reinterpretation. Among the most memorable moments was Seol Woon-do’s own special stage, where he delivered a fresh rendition of his beloved hit “Last Love” (“마지막의 사랑”). According to iMBC, the performance left not only the judging panel but also the assembled junior artists visibly moved, a testament to the enduring emotional resonance of his music.
One of the night’s standout performances came from Jeon Yu-jin, who took to the stage third and tackled Seol Woon-do’s classic “Lady of Samba” (“쌈바의 여인”). With her robust vocals and fiery stage presence, Jeon commanded the audience’s attention from the first note. As reported by Celuv Media, Seol Woon-do himself was effusive in his praise, declaring, “You should be nervous. That was a truly happy stage.” The compliment, coming from the original artist, carried extra weight. Jeon’s efforts were rewarded with 403 votes, earning her a victory over Cheon Rok-dam and further cementing her reputation as a rising star in the genre.
Yet, as much as the show celebrated musical excellence, it was the candid moments and personal stories that gave the broadcast its heart. Park Seo-jin, known as the “God of Janggu,” brought humor and vulnerability to the talk segment. Sporting a noticeably upgraded appearance, Park became the subject of MC Lee Chan-won’s curiosity. When asked about his improved looks, Park replied with characteristic frankness, “Every time I do an event, I save a portion of the fee for surgery costs,” a revelation that sent the room into fits of laughter. Lee, recalling frequent sightings of Park in Cheongdam-dong, pressed further, to which Park responded, “I have a father in Cheongdam and another in Garosu-gil,” cheekily referring to his plastic surgeons as his “fathers” and keeping the mood light.
But Park’s contributions went beyond humor. He opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career, particularly the criticism he received for playing the janggu (a traditional Korean drum) on stage—a move some said diminished his dignity as a singer. In a touching moment, Park shared that he had once reached out to Seol Woon-do for advice. “If you want to do it, you should do it,” Seol reportedly replied, providing the encouragement Park needed to persevere. “Thanks to his warm support, I’ve been able to keep playing the janggu,” Park said, expressing deep gratitude toward his mentor and highlighting the generational bonds that run through the trot world. As noted by News1, this exchange underscored Seol Woon-do’s role not just as a musical icon but as a guiding figure for younger artists.
The familial theme continued in the green room, where playful rivalries and affectionate teasing abounded. As reported by TopStarNews, Son Tae-jin, who received his debut song from Seol Woon-do and is often called his “adopted son,” found himself in a lighthearted showdown with Seol’s real son, Lee Seung-hyun, and “adopted daughter” Jeon Yu-jin. The conversation turned to the coveted “turtle stone” (거북이 수석), a prized gift from Seol Woon-do. Son boasted, “Only two people have received a stone from the teacher: me and Lim Young-woong.” Lee Seung-hyun jumped in, “That was from my father’s villa! He never lets me touch it!” The banter, with Jeon Yu-jin chiming in about her own hopes of receiving a stone, had everyone in stitches and painted a picture of a close-knit, if competitive, musical family.
On stage, the friendly rivalries continued. Son Tae-jin brought his own flair to “Love Twist” (“사랑의 트위스트”), vowing to outdo Jeon Yu-jin’s performance and joking, “If I beat Yu-jin with my performance, I’ll have bragging rights for a year!” Jeon, with equal determination, declared, “Losing to Tae-jin in performance would really hurt my pride.” These exchanges, both on and off stage, illustrated the spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition that defines Immortal Songs.
Of course, at the center of it all was Seol Woon-do himself, a figure whose influence extends well beyond his own discography. As Jeon Yu-jin put it, “Seol Woon-do is like a father to me in the trot world. He’s watched over my entire growth as a singer.” Her words echoed the sentiments of many participants, who saw the episode not just as a contest, but as a chance to pay tribute to someone who shaped their artistic journeys.
The special will continue with a second part airing on February 28, promising even more memorable performances and behind-the-scenes stories. For now, viewers are left with the image of a musical family—sometimes bickering, often laughing, always united by their respect for a living legend. It’s no wonder anticipation for the next installment is running high.