On the evening of February 21, 2026, KBS2’s beloved music variety show Immortal Songs aired its 745th episode, drawing viewers into a dazzling spectacle that celebrated the legendary career of Seol Woon-do, one of South Korea’s undisputed kings of trot. The special, titled the ‘Artist Seol Woon-do Special,’ marked the icon’s 44th anniversary in the music industry and brought together a star-studded lineup of ten teams—each vying for glory and a chance to be named the next torchbearer of the genre.
Seol Woon-do is no stranger to accolades or reverence. Often referred to as the ‘Korean Elvis Presley,’ he’s penned and composed more than 200 songs, gifting hits to household names like Lim Young-woong and Song Ga-in. His classics—like ‘Samba’s Woman,’ ‘Love’s Twist,’ and ‘Let’s All Cha-cha-cha’—have become anthems for generations. According to MHN, the episode not only honored Seol’s immense legacy but also set the stage for a fierce contest between two musical factions: the ‘trot faction’ led by Kim Su-chan and the ‘other genres faction’ spearheaded by Jadu.
The excitement was palpable from the outset. “Today, you can tell the difference just by looking at our outfits. Is this what rivalry feels like?” Kim Su-chan quipped, channeling Seol Woon-do’s signature bravado. Not to be outdone, Jadu rallied her team with a rousing, “Everyone, get up!”—sparking a playful yet competitive energy that would carry through the night. Even the show’s MC, Lee Chan-won, weighed in, noting, “This time, the trot faction’s lineup is packed with past competition winners,” while Jadu countered, “We may not be trot singers, but we each have our unique flavor. It’s a feast for the senses.”
The episode opened with Cheon Nok-dam, dubbed the ‘comet of the trot world,’ performing ‘Is This Love?’—a song composed by Seol Woon-do and his wife, Lee Soo-jin. Cheon’s playful, musical-theater-inspired delivery and infectious rhythm had the audience swaying, prompting Seol Woon-do himself to remark, “Listening to Cheon Nok-dam’s song, I feel like K-trot’s world domination isn’t far off.” The enthusiastic response set a high bar for the night.
Next up was Lee Seung-hyun, Seol Woon-do’s own son, who took the stage with ‘I Loved Only You.’ Before singing, he confessed, “My father is such a monumental figure. If he praises me tonight, I might just crumble on the spot.” As he layered his refined vocals over a lively band sound, fellow artist Park Seo-jin observed, “He seemed unsure at first, but once on stage, his eyes lit up and he truly enjoyed himself.” Seol Woon-do, watching intently, admitted, “I was worried, but I’m proud. I believe this will be the moment my son, singer Lee Seung-hyun, blossoms.” The father’s recognition moved Lee Seung-hyun to tears, a moment that touched both the audience and viewers at home.
The rivalry between Cheon Nok-dam and Lee Seung-hyun ended with Cheon clinching the victory, but the emotional resonance of the father-son exchange lingered long after the applause faded.
Then came the much-anticipated performance by Jeon Yu-jin, lauded as the ‘next OST queen.’ Selecting the iconic ‘Samba’s Woman,’ Jeon declared her intent to show off her “trot diva” side. Her electrifying vocals and samba-infused choreography lit up the stage, drawing comparisons to Beyoncé for her dazzling and sensual performance. According to 셀럽미디어, Seol Woon-do was effusive in his praise, stating, “That was such a happy stage. I think from now on we can call Jeon Yu-jin the ‘Samba’s Woman.’” The vote tally confirmed her impact—Jeon bested Cheon Nok-dam with 403 votes, her first win of the night.
Her self-declared rival, Son Tae-jin, followed with a show-stopping rendition of ‘Love’s Twist,’ one of Seol’s signature hits. Son promised, “I’ll make this a perfect ten for excitement,” and delivered with a retro musical flair, sweet yet cheeky vocals, and, most memorably, his dynamic hip-swinging dance moves. The performance was so infectious that the entire judging panel rose for a spontaneous dance party. Lee Seung-hyun, clearly impressed, commented, “It was like watching Elvis Presley,” while Seol Woon-do himself joked, “I’ll have to give Son Tae-jin another twist song next time.” In the head-to-head between Son and Jeon, Son emerged victorious—ultimately earning a staggering 424 votes and clinching the episode’s grand prize.
But the surprises didn’t end there. LUN8, making their Immortal Songs debut, brought a burst of youthful energy with their take on ‘Let’s All Cha-cha-cha.’ Their fresh, boy-band style and perfectly synchronized dance moves wowed the crowd, prompting Jadu to exclaim, “That was a stage where every generation could come together. It was so refreshing!” Seol Woon-do, beaming, added, “Today is a day when trot is truly thriving.”
Of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without a special performance from Seol Woon-do himself. Taking the spotlight, he performed his classic ‘Last Love,’ moving both the audience and his fellow artists. The show’s blend of nostalgia and innovation, with genres from jazz to punk, samba to K-pop, layered atop Seol’s timeless melodies, proved that trot’s appeal knows no boundaries.
The numbers told their own story. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode scored a nationwide rating of 6.4%, topping its time slot and underscoring the enduring popularity of both Seol Woon-do and Immortal Songs. Social media buzzed with praise: “Seol Woon-do’s songs are timeless,” “Cheon Nok-dam’s performance was pure class,” “Lee Seung-hyun’s authenticity shines through,” “Jeon Yu-jin is truly KBS’s daughter—what a voice!” and “Son Tae-jin, you rocked the stage!”
As the curtain fell on part one, anticipation soared for the second installment, set to air on February 28. The question on everyone’s mind: Who will inherit Seol Woon-do’s legendary mantle as the next great in Korean trot?
For now, Immortal Songs continues to bridge generations, blending tradition with innovation and proving that music—especially when delivered with heart and flair—remains a universal language.