On the evening of March 5, 2026, South Korean television was gripped by the electrifying live finale of TV CHOSUN’s ‘Miss Trot 4’—a show that has not only dominated its time slot for 11 consecutive weeks but also rewritten the record books of televised music competitions. The grand showdown, which aired at 9:30 PM, marked the culmination of months of fierce competition, whittling down an initial pool of 88 hopefuls to a final five: Gil Ryeowon, Yoon Tae-hwa, Hong Sung-yoon, Lee Sona, and Heo Chan-mi.
‘Miss Trot 4’ has been nothing short of a phenomenon. According to TV CHOSUN, the program swept every major Thursday entertainment rating, even reaching a staggering peak viewership of 17.7%. Last week’s semifinals managed to outpace even the previous year’s ‘Mr. Trot 3’ in ratings, underscoring just how much this season has captured the nation’s attention. The shift from a TOP7 to a more cutthroat TOP5 format only heightened the tension, with each contestant delivering performances that judges—known as ‘masters’—described as legendary.
The finale was structured around each contestant performing their “life song,” a piece with deep personal meaning, and the stakes could not have been higher. The scoring was a careful blend: judges’ scores (the ‘master’ points), online public support votes, and, most crucially, live text message votes from viewers during the broadcast. The live votes carried the most weight—1,000 points out of a total 3,000—making the outcome unpredictable until the last moment.
As the performances unfolded, the judges—Park Sun-joo, Kim Yong-im, and Jang Yoon-jung—offered both high praise and, at times, emotional commentary. Park Sun-joo declared, “A treasure among treasures who will carry on the lineage of traditional trot has been born,” while Kim Yong-im marveled, “To perform such a difficult song so perfectly… It feels like a second life is about to begin.” Jang Yoon-jung, known for her warmth and candor, even apologized to one contestant, saying, “I’m sorry for all the hardship you endured. It was all for this moment.” The sincerity of these remarks reflected the emotional journey not just for the contestants, but for everyone involved.
After the first round of scoring, the tension was palpable. Gil Ryeowon received master scores ranging from 95 to 100, Yoon Tae-hwa from 92 to 100, Hong Sung-yoon from 90 to 100, and both Lee Sona and Heo Chan-mi from 97 to 100. The intermediate results, which combined master points with online support votes, saw Heo Chan-mi in the lead with 1,973 points, Lee Sona just one point behind at 1,972, Gil Ryeowon at 1,948, Hong Sung-yoon at 1,941, and Yoon Tae-hwa at 1,893.
But the real drama came with the live text message voting. With a staggering 916,030 valid votes cast, the rankings shifted dramatically. Hong Sung-yoon, who had been in fourth place after the intermediate tally, surged to third after accumulating an additional 622.02 points from the text votes. She finished with a total of 2,563.02 points, overtaking Gil Ryeowon, who slipped to fourth.
The final results were a testament to just how razor-thin the margins were. Lee Sona, who had been in second place after the intermediate round, soared to victory by amassing the highest number of text votes—a comeback that left viewers on the edge of their seats. She was crowned the fourth ‘Miss Trot Jin (眞)’ with a total of 2,972 points. Heo Chan-mi, who had led earlier, finished a close second with 2,825.72 points, earning the title of ‘Sun (善)’. Hong Sung-yoon, with her remarkable jump in the rankings, took third place as ‘Mi (美)’. Gil Ryeowon and Yoon Tae-hwa rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The emotional weight of the evening was perhaps best captured in the winners’ acceptance speeches. According to Korea Today News, Lee Sona, who took home the grand prize of 300 million Korean won, shared, “I want to share this honor with my family, who have sacrificed so much for me.” Heo Chan-mi expressed her gratitude to the show’s staff, her family, and her fans, while Hong Sung-yoon admitted, “I didn’t expect to receive this award, and I’m honestly at a loss for words. I want to thank the staff, my family, the masters, and everyone who supported me.”
What set this season apart, as noted by multiple outlets, was not just the high level of competition but the sheer unpredictability of the outcome. An unexpected score during the finale even prompted murmurs among the audience and judges, with many wondering aloud, “Why did that score come out?!” Yet, if anything, these surprises only added to the show’s allure, reinforcing the sense that anything could happen on live television.
Throughout the season, the contestants’ stories and performances resonated deeply with viewers. The blend of traditional trot music with modern showmanship, coupled with the contestants’ personal journeys, helped sustain what many are calling a renewed “trot wave” in Korean popular culture. The judges’ comments, the close scores, and the overwhelming public participation all point to the enduring appeal of the genre and the show’s unique ability to connect with a broad audience.
For Lee Sona, the victory marks not just the end of a grueling competition, but the beginning of a new chapter. Her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence were repeatedly highlighted by the judges as key reasons for her success, and industry watchers predict a bright future ahead. The same can be said for her fellow finalists, whose performances and personalities have won them devoted followings.
As the confetti settled and the final notes faded, ‘Miss Trot 4’ left behind more than just a list of winners. It offered a reminder of the power of music to unite, to move, and—sometimes—to surprise. For viewers across South Korea, it was a night to remember, and for the finalists, the start of something even bigger.