On the evening of March 5, 2026, South Korea was gripped by the electrifying live finale of TV Chosun’s ‘Miss Trot 4’, a show that has dominated the nation’s entertainment scene for weeks. The much-anticipated episode, broadcast at 9:30 PM, brought together the season’s top five contestants—Lee So-na, Heo Chan-mi, Hong Seong-yoon, Gil Ryeo-won, and Yoon Tae-hwa—for one last, unforgettable battle to determine the next queen of trot music.
According to bntnews, the finale marked the end of a fiercely competitive season that saw ‘Miss Trot 4’ shatter viewership records, topping ratings for 11 consecutive weeks and peaking at an impressive 17.7%. The show’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, coupled with the contestants’ raw talent and heartfelt stories, fueled a nationwide phenomenon. The semifinals alone outperformed even last year’s ‘Mr. Trot 3’, setting the stage for a final showdown that had the entire country on the edge of its seat.
The competition’s format was both rigorous and transparent. As reported by TopStarNews and bntnews, the final rankings were determined by a combination of three components: master scores (up to 1600 points), public cheering votes collected online over the previous week (up to 400 points), and real-time text voting during the live broadcast (up to 1000 points). The system was designed to ensure a balance between expert judgment and public opinion, and it certainly delivered drama until the very last moment.
Lee So-na, known for her emotional depth and vocal prowess, ultimately claimed victory and was crowned the fourth-generation ‘Jin’ (眞) of ‘Miss Trot’. Her journey to the top was anything but straightforward. In the early stages of the finale, Heo Chan-mi surged ahead, leading with a near-perfect master score of 1583 points after her powerful rendition of ‘Naya Na’. Lee So-na, performing Patti Kim’s ‘Sarang-eun Saengmyeong-ui Kkot’, trailed closely with 1572 points, while Gil Ryeo-won and Hong Seong-yoon were not far behind.
Online cheering votes then shifted the dynamics. Lee So-na scored a perfect 400 points, bringing her within a single point of Heo Chan-mi—1972 to 1973—foreshadowing a nail-biting conclusion. But the final and most influential phase was the live text voting, which accounted for a full third of the total score. According to bntnews and TopStarNews, Lee So-na’s performance resonated deeply with viewers, earning her a staggering 256,310 text votes and the maximum 1000 points in this category. This surge propelled her to a total of 2972 points, securing the championship in a dramatic, come-from-behind victory.
Heo Chan-mi, a consistent front-runner and a favorite among the judges for her technical skill and stage presence, finished second with 2825.72 points. She amassed 218,561 text votes, translating to 852.72 points in the live voting segment. Hong Seong-yoon, the pride of Daejeon and a newcomer to the trot scene, placed third with 2563.02 points, buoyed by 159,430 text votes and a wave of regional and national support.
The remaining finalists, Gil Ryeo-won and Yoon Tae-hwa, rounded out the top five. Gil Ryeo-won, who delivered a stirring performance of ‘Daewang-ui Gil’, finished fourth with 2512.91 points, while Yoon Tae-hwa, lauded for her interpretation of ‘Noraeneun Naui Insaeng’, took fifth place with 2427.26 points. Their journeys, marked by emotional highs and artistic growth, were celebrated by both judges and fans alike.
Throughout the season, the judges—referred to as ‘masters’—did not hold back in their praise. Park Sun-joo, known for her sharp critiques, declared during the finale, “A treasure among treasures has been born to carry on the legacy of traditional trot.” Kim Yong-im, another respected master, exclaimed, “To perform such a difficult song so perfectly—this must be the start of a new life.” Even Jang Yoon-jung, who had been both supportive and candid in her feedback, moved viewers by unexpectedly apologizing to one contestant, remarking, “I’m sorry for putting you through so much. But it was all for this moment.” These moments, captured by TV Chosun and Biz Chosun, underscored the emotional stakes and the personal connections forged during the competition.
The public’s engagement was nothing short of extraordinary. The live text voting drew over 1.1 million votes, a testament to the show’s broad appeal and the passionate fan bases each contestant had cultivated. In Daejeon, hometown pride ran especially high for Hong Seong-yoon. As reported by Good Morning Chungcheong, local citizens and even lawmakers rallied behind her. Jang Cheol-min, a National Assembly member, posted a congratulatory video, stating, “We celebrate the advancement of ‘Daejeon’s daughter’ Hong Seong-yoon to the finals. I hope she achieves a result as good as her talent.” One local resident, Kim Ae-kyung, summed up the sentiment: “Her singing moves my heart every time. I hope she wins tonight.”
Hong Seong-yoon’s story, in particular, captured the imagination of many. Having started with traditional Korean music after being inspired by the film ‘Seopyeonje’, she quickly made a name for herself as a prodigy, winning national competitions within months of picking up the gayageum and byeongchang. Her transition to trot was met with critical acclaim—her debut performance of ‘Mankaehwa’ with gayageum byeongchang earned her a unanimous ‘all heart’ rating from the judges. Judge Kim Soo-hee was moved to tears, saying, “She sings better than I do. I want to steal her voice.”
The finale was not without its surprises. Unexpected scores at key moments caused murmurs in the studio, with onlookers asking, “Why did that score come out?!” Yet, the transparency of the scoring system and the overwhelming participation in the live voting process left little room for doubt about the legitimacy of the outcome.
As the curtain fell, Lee So-na was visibly moved, shedding tears of joy and gratitude. In her victory speech, she said, “I sincerely thank everyone who helped me climb this high mountain called ‘Miss Trot 4’—the staff, the masters, and most of all, my family, who made sacrifices despite not having much. I will work to be someone who can protect my loved ones.”
For fans eager to see their favorites live, the journey isn’t over. The ‘Miss Trot 4’ nationwide tour is set for April 25 and 26, 2026, at Seoul’s Jangchung Arena, promising another chance to experience the music and the magic that has captivated a nation.
With its mix of tradition, talent, and heartfelt stories, ‘Miss Trot 4’ has not only crowned a new queen but also reaffirmed the power of music to unite and inspire people across generations and regions.