On the evening of February 21, 2026, the airwaves of KBS 2TV crackled with nostalgia, rivalry, and a touch of family drama as Immortal Songs celebrated the 44th anniversary of trot legend Seol Woon-do’s debut. The 745th episode, aptly titled the ‘Artist Seol Woon-do Edition,’ brought together some of Korea’s brightest musical talents for a two-part special, promising both heartfelt tributes and spirited competition. The first part aired on February 21, with the next installment set for February 28, both at the familiar Saturday 6:05 PM time slot.
Seol Woon-do, a singer-songwriter revered for classics like “Love Twist” and “Let’s All Cha Cha Cha,” is no stranger to the spotlight. But this time, he stepped into the role of mentor and muse, as ten junior artists—spanning genres and generations—reinterpreted his legendary catalog. The lineup included Son Tae-jin, Jadu, Kim Soo-chan, Lee Seung-hyun, LUN8, Cheon Rok-dam, D82, Jeon Yoo-jin, Kim So-hyang & Yoon Hyung-ryeol, and Park Seo-jin, each vying for the coveted title of next trot legend.
But perhaps the most talked-about moments unfolded not under the stage lights, but backstage, where a playful ‘family feud’ erupted. According to Newsen, Son Tae-jin, often referred to as Seol Woon-do’s ‘adopted son,’ proudly displayed a ‘turtle stone’—a prized collectible gifted to him by Seol himself. “I heard there are only two people who have received a stone from the teacher: me and Lim Young-woong,” Son shared, beaming with pride. The stone, a symbol of Seol Woon-do’s affection and selectivity, quickly became the episode’s unofficial trophy.
Lee Seung-hyun, Seol Woon-do’s actual son and a participant in the show, couldn’t help but voice his mock indignation. “That’s really from my father’s villa! He never even let me touch it,” Lee exclaimed, drawing laughter from those nearby. The friendly rivalry intensified as Jeon Yoo-jin, dubbed Seol’s ‘adopted daughter,’ joined the fray. “Seol Woon-do is like a father to me in the trot world, having watched over my growth as a singer,” she said. With a glint of determination, she added, “My goal today is to receive a stone from him as well.”
The stone saga wasn’t lost on the other contestants, either. Singer Lee Chan-won remarked, “As far as I know, only two direct juniors—Son Tae-jin and Lim Young-woong—have received such a stone.” The reaction among the juniors was unanimous: “The lineup is strong, but that stone is more coveted than any trophy.” The stone, it seemed, had become the unofficial currency of Seol Woon-do’s approval.
On stage, the competition was just as fierce. The artists split into two camps: the ‘trot faction,’ led by the charismatic Kim Soo-chan, and the ‘other genre faction,’ captained by Jadu. Kim, ever the showman, declared, “You can tell the difference between trot and beat trot just by looking at our outfits.” He then wowed the crowd with spot-on impressions of senior singers—including Seol Woon-do himself. Even Lee Seung-hyun, watching from the sidelines, had to admit, “He’s got it.”
Jadu, not to be outdone, fired back, “Isn’t that drawing the line a bit too much?” She emphasized her unique style and confidence, promising a performance that would set her apart from the trot veterans. The tension between the two camps was palpable, but it was all in good fun—each artist eager to pay homage to Seol Woon-do in their own way.
The episode also provided a platform for personal stories and heartfelt confessions. Park Seo-jin, dubbed the “God of Janggu,” revealed the secret behind his ever-improving looks: “I save part of my event fees for plastic surgery,” he joked, eliciting laughter from the green room. More seriously, he credited Seol Woon-do for encouraging him to keep playing the janggu drum when he was unsure about his path. “He told me, ‘If you want to do it, you should,’ and that support got me to where I am now,” Park said, gratitude evident in his voice.
Family ties ran deep throughout the broadcast. Lee Seung-hyun, who returned to Immortal Songs after an 11-year hiatus, found himself defending against playful accusations of nepotism. “My mother wrote lyrics for almost all of my father’s songs, and she even made my stage outfit today,” he revealed, to the audience’s surprise. When Kim Soo-chan teased, “Isn’t that nepotism?” Lee shot back, “I almost died just asking my father to watch me sing. He’s strict to a fault.”
The family theme extended to the performances themselves. Cheon Rok-dam opened the show by dedicating “Is This Love?”—a song penned by Seol Woon-do’s wife—to his own spouse. Slipping on a ring exchanged early in their relationship, Cheon serenaded his wife with heartfelt sincerity: “I put my wife through a lot when we first met. I’ll sing beautifully, thinking of when we first met. Honey, I love you. Fighting!” The audience, both in the studio and at home, was visibly moved.
Seol Woon-do himself took the stage for a special performance of “Last Love,” reminding everyone why he’s been called the ‘Midas touch’ of Korean trot. Known for gifting hit songs to juniors like Lim Young-woong and Song Ga-in, Seol’s influence was felt in every corner of the broadcast. His presence was both a celebration of the past and a passing of the torch to the next generation.
As the night drew to a close, one thing was clear: Immortal Songs had succeeded in creating not just a tribute, but a vibrant, living portrait of the trot community. The playful jabs, the fierce competition, and the genuine moments of mentorship all spoke to the enduring legacy of Seol Woon-do—and the bright future ahead for Korean music. For viewers, it was a night to remember, and with the second part still to come, the excitement is far from over.