For ten weeks straight, South Korea’s music scene has been gripped by a single question: Who will become the next queen of trot? TV CHOSUN’s ‘Miss Trot 4’ (미스트롯4) has not only dominated the airwaves, smashing through a peak viewership rating of 16.6%, but it’s also turned its semifinal showdown into a national event. On February 26, 2026, the show’s new, high-stakes format and a cast of passionate contestants brought the competition to a fever pitch, drawing eyes and hearts from all corners of the country.
In a bold move, this season’s producers raised the bar by allowing only five contestants—the TOP5—to advance to the finals, rather than the usual seven. According to iMBC, this change was designed to intensify the competition and keep fans on the edge of their seats. The result? A palpable tension that has everyone, from casual viewers to die-hard trot aficionados, eagerly tuning in every week.
But the stakes aren’t just higher for the contestants. For the first time, starting with the semifinals, live broadcasts and real-time text message voting were introduced to the show. As reported by Gukje News and Joongang Economy News, this new element has galvanized the public, transforming the semifinals into a true nationwide event. Viewers could cast their votes by texting their favorite contestant’s name or number to #4560, with each message costing 100 KRW. The semifinals aired at 9:30 PM KST—thirty minutes earlier than the usual slot, a detail hammered home by a special video featuring the previous season’s stars.
Indeed, the bridge between seasons was on full display when the TOP7 from last year’s ‘Mr. Trot 3’ (미스터트롯3) returned to the stage—not to compete, but to cheer on their successors. In a heartfelt video message broadcast ahead of the semifinals, the seven men who had once stood in the same spotlight urged fans to participate in the live voting. Kim Yong-bin, last year’s winner, charmed the nation with his playful plea: “Will you send lots of text votes?” It was a moment that brought a smile to viewers and underscored the show’s spirit of camaraderie and continuity.
As for the contestants, the pressure was palpable. The TOP10—Yumi, Lee Eliya, Yeom Yuri, Yoon Tae-hwa, Heo Chan-mi, Lee So-na, Yoon Yoon-seo, Hong Sung-yoon, Gil Ryeo-won, and Kim San-ha—each made personal pledges should they advance to the coveted TOP5. For these ten, the journey had already been grueling: the competition began with 88 hopefuls, now whittled to just a handful. Yet, with the finish line in sight, every performance, every vote, and every promise took on new weight.
Among the standouts, Yumi’s journey has been especially noteworthy. On the night of the semifinals, she delivered a deeply moving rendition of Kim Yeon-ja’s ‘White Flower’ as part of the Legendary Mission. Despite her background in ballads, Yumi’s embrace of the trot genre has been nothing short of transformative. As Newsen reported, she told host Kim Sung-joo, “Coming on ‘Miss Trot 4’ is the most praise-worthy thing I’ve done in my life. Singing is so much fun, and discovering new techniques is exhilarating. Every day, I surprise myself.” Her efforts did not go unnoticed. Kim Yeon-ja, a legend of the genre, praised her, saying, “Listening to Yumi, I thought my rival had appeared. She’s learned so many techniques in such a short time. If she keeps improving, she’ll become a real rival and a master of trot.” Yumi’s performance earned her 1,503 out of a possible 1,600 points from the judges, securing her spot among the show’s elite.
Another contestant drawing considerable attention is Yeom Yuri, whose story has touched viewers across the nation. As The CEN News detailed, she took to the streets of Seoul in the days leading up to the semifinals, personally handing out flyers and urging citizens to remember her as contestant number two. The soprano graduate from Chungnam National University—already familiar to some as ‘Daejeon Im Soo-jung’ from ‘I Can See Your Voice’—shared her deeply personal motivation: “I wanted my mother, who is battling stage four pancreatic cancer, to see me perform on a big stage. That gave me the courage to try again.” Currently ranked sixth among the TOP10, Yeom Yuri has pledged to hold free concerts for cancer patients if she makes it to the TOP5—a promise that has resonated with many.
Of course, the other contestants are not to be overlooked. Heo Chan-mi (number 4), Hong Sung-yoon (number 7), and Gil Ryeo-won (number 8) have all built strong fan bases with their unique styles and compelling performances. Meanwhile, dark horses like Lee Eliya, Yoon Tae-hwa, Lee So-na, Yoon Yoon-seo, and Kim San-ha round out a field where, truly, anything could happen. The drama is heightened by the fact that only five will advance, making every vote and every performance critical.
What’s driving this surge in popularity for ‘Miss Trot 4’? According to iMBC and other outlets, it’s a combination of factors: the show’s grand scale, the expertise of its production team, and the raw emotional power of its contestants’ stories. But perhaps most importantly, it’s the way the show has managed to involve the public directly in the outcome. With real-time voting now a fixture, viewers feel a genuine stake in who will take the crown—a shift that’s likely to influence the genre for years to come.
As the semifinals drew to a close on February 26, the anticipation was at a fever pitch. The moment of truth—who would make it to the finals, and who would fall just short—was broadcast live, with all the attendant drama and excitement. It’s a format that’s proven irresistible, not just for trot fans, but for anyone who loves a good underdog story, a stirring performance, or the thrill of live competition.
With the finals looming and just five tickets up for grabs, the nation waits to see which of these remarkable women will rise to the top. For some, it’s a dream come true; for others, a bittersweet end to a remarkable journey. But for everyone watching, ‘Miss Trot 4’ has already delivered on its promise: to bring the country together, one song at a time.