On a bright weekend in early April 2026, the beloved KBS1 program National Singing Contest (전국노래자랑) brought music, laughter, and a sense of community to Gyeongsangnam-do’s Jinju and Changnyeong counties. Across vibrant riverside stages and fields of blooming rapeseed flowers, residents and visitors alike gathered in the thousands to celebrate local talent, cheer on guest stars, and revel in the unique cultural phenomenon that is this long-running Korean variety show.
The Jinju city edition, aired on April 5 as the 2160th episode of the series, was broadcast from a special stage set up along the Namgang riverside. According to 셀럽미디어, fifteen finalist teams—selected for their extraordinary flair and musical abilities—took to the stage, each eager to showcase their skills before a lively crowd and a national TV audience. The event was more than just a contest; it was a festival, complete with performances from some of the brightest stars in the trot music scene.
Leading the lineup of guest performers was Young-gi, who kicked off the show with his signature number, ‘동네 오빠,’ setting a buoyant tone for the festivities. Next up, the so-called ‘Trot Princess’ Oh Yu-jin delivered an energetic performance of her new song ‘썸,’ a dance trot track blending Euro-pop with traditional Korean elements. Dressed in a navy casual suit, she radiated a mature yet approachable charm, captivating the audience with her clear vocals and confident stage presence. As SPOTV NEWS highlighted, Oh Yu-jin’s performance was especially meaningful—she is not only a nationally recognized artist thanks to her rise on Miss Trot 3, but also a proud native of Jinju and currently serves as the city’s public ambassador. Her hometown crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers and applause, reinforcing her status as a local hero.
The celebration didn’t stop there. Han Hye-jin, widely regarded as a ‘Trot Empress,’ wowed everyone with a soulful rendition of ‘그저 흘러가네,’ her seasoned vocals filling the riverside air. Miss Kim, known as the ‘Queen of Events,’ kept the energy high with her lively performance of ‘옆구리,’ prompting the audience to dance along. The grand finale belonged to Park Seo-jin, dubbed the ‘God of Janggu’ for his mastery of the traditional drum, who performed ‘첫눈에 반해버린 사람아’ and brought the event to a rousing close.
But the heart of National Singing Contest lies in its contestants—ordinary people with extraordinary spirit. The Jinju edition featured a diverse roster: a trio of 39-year-old friends brought humor and camaraderie with their take on ‘까탈레나’; a nine-year-old boy charmed the crowd with ‘흥 아리랑,’ his youthful enthusiasm infectious; and a Buddhist monk surprised everyone with a comic performance of ‘어차피 떠난 사람.’ One particularly memorable moment came from a couple’s ‘sexy(?) dance’ during the talent show segment—an act so bold it left host Nam Hee-seok in stitches, and the audience in uproarious laughter. As 셀럽미디어 noted, “the recording scene was engulfed in laughter,” capturing the show’s unique blend of sincerity and humor.
Meanwhile, just a day earlier on April 4, Changnyeong county welcomed National Singing Contest back after an eight-year hiatus. The event, held at the Namji Rapeseed Flower Complex, drew an impressive crowd of roughly 6,000 residents and tourists. The stage—framed by the picturesque Nakdong River, golden fields of rapeseed flowers, and blossoming cherry trees—offered a quintessential spring backdrop. As reported by 뉴스프리존 and 창녕군, the atmosphere was electric, with attendees eager to witness both the contest and the natural beauty of Changnyeong on full display.
Fifteen teams, chosen from an April 2 preliminary round, performed a variety of songs, talents, and entertaining acts. The audience responded with warm applause, their excitement matched only by the pride of seeing their community in the national spotlight. Guest performers, including Park Seo-jin, Kim Hye-yeon, Chun-gil, Miss Kim, and Na-young, graced the stage with celebratory performances that further energized the crowd. Local officials expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming interest and participation, emphasizing that the event was a chance to share Changnyeong’s charm and culture with the rest of the country. “We will continue to organize diverse cultural events to promote the region’s appeal,” a county official remarked, according to 경남신문.
In both Jinju and Changnyeong, the show’s enduring formula—combining professional performances with heartfelt amateur acts—proved its power to unite generations. From four-year-old children to middle-aged friends and even a choir from the German village in Namhae (as seen in the recent Namhae county edition), the contest’s inclusivity fosters laughter, emotion, and a genuine sense of community. The Namhae event, recorded on March 31 and scheduled to air April 19, also featured thousands of attendees, a wide age range among participants, and thoughtful touches like wheelchair-accessible seating, demonstrating the show’s commitment to accessibility and local engagement.
Behind the scenes, each event also serves as a platform for regional promotion. Local governments set up information booths, highlighted tourism resources, and celebrated the distinct beauty of their communities. Whether it’s the springtime allure of Changnyeong or the riverside vibrancy of Jinju, National Singing Contest transforms each location into a national stage.
For decades, the show has aired every Sunday at 12:10 PM KST, remaining a fixture in Korean households. Its format—part competition, part variety show, part festival—resonates across generations, blending nostalgia with fresh talent and spontaneous surprises. As the recent episodes in Jinju and Changnyeong have shown, the magic of National Singing Contest lies not just in the music, but in the moments of joy, pride, and togetherness it inspires—reminding everyone, whether on stage or in the audience, that every voice has a place in the story of their community.