As the evening sky settled over South Korea on February 17, 2026, millions of families gathered around their televisions to celebrate the Lunar New Year, a holiday steeped in tradition and togetherness. This year, KBS 2TV offered a dazzling centerpiece for the festivities: the much-anticipated special, '2026 복터지는 트롯대잔치'—loosely translated as '2026 Fortune-Bursting Trot Festival.' The show promised not just music, but a vibrant spectacle of luck, unity, and joy, and it certainly delivered.
At the heart of this year’s festival was Lee Chan-won, who took the stage as the sole master of ceremonies. According to Star News, Lee’s “witty and engaging hosting” was set to elevate the festive atmosphere, and from the moment he opened the show, he didn’t disappoint. After a rousing opening number, he addressed both the live audience and those watching from home: “This year, the title of the Trot Festival is especially called ‘Fortune-Bursting Trot Festival.’ For everyone here and for those watching from home, we’ve prepared stages bursting with good fortune.”
Lee then introduced a star-studded lineup of 15 of South Korea’s most celebrated trot singers—among them Kim Yeon-ja, Park Hyun-bin, Shin Yu, Song Ga-in, Kim Yong-bin, Park Seo-jin, Ahn Sung-hoon, Na Tae-joo, Kim Hee-jae, Park Ji-hyun, Park Hye-shin, Kim Hee-jin, Hwang Min-woo & Hwang Min-ho, Kim So-yeon, Nam Chang-dong, SunB, and Dokteuk Crew. The gathering was nothing short of a who’s who of the genre, with each artist bringing their unique flair to the stage. As Etoday noted, this was a lineup designed to “bring joy and emotion to viewers during the holiday.”
The program’s unique concept revolved around three special ‘lucky bags’—a playful nod to traditional New Year’s customs. Each bag, when opened, revealed a surprise stage, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The anticipation was palpable: what kind of fortune, or ‘bok,’ would each bag bring? As each was opened, the stage transformed, unveiling a new musical gift for the audience. This interactive approach, as Gukje News described, was crafted to “enhance viewer engagement and connect generations through trot music.”
The first lucky bag was opened by the brother duo Hwang Min-woo and Hwang Min-ho, who performed ‘Yuhengga’—a performance that set the tone for the surprises yet to come. Lee Chan-won introduced them as “the protagonists to open the first lucky bag,” and the brothers’ energy was infectious. Not long after, Na Tae-joo—known for blending taekwondo with trot—made a dramatic entrance from the audience. He playfully asked, “Since you’ve come to the Trot Festival, do you want to see Na Tae-joo’s kick?” before launching into a high-flying performance of ‘Tess Hyung,’ complete with his trademark kick and an impressive backflip, as reported by Newsen.
Musical collaborations became a highlight of the night. One standout was the duet between Park Seo-jin and Park Ji-hyun, whose harmonies brought the house down. Another showstopper was the collaboration of Ahn Sung-hoon, Na Tae-joo, and Kim Hee-jae, who joined forces for a stage brimming with both nostalgia and fresh energy. These special stages, exclusive to the festival, were described by Etoday as “the highlight of the special, sure to capture viewers’ hearts.”
Park Ji-hyun, a rising star in the trot scene, seized the moment to debut her brand-new song—her first public performance of the piece. For fans, this was a treat; as Gukje News put it, “the long-shrouded new song was unveiled for the first time, heating up the holiday atmosphere.” The sense of exclusivity was keenly felt, with viewers knowing they were witnessing a milestone in Park’s career.
Traditional favorites weren’t forgotten. Shin Yu, Song Ga-in, Park Seo-jin, Kim Yong-bin, Park Hye-shin, and Kim Hee-jin delivered a stirring rendition of ‘Dongbaek Agassi,’ while Hwang Min-woo, Hwang Min-ho, Park Sung-on, and Kim So-yeon lit up the stage with ‘Partner.’ Later, Ahn Sung-hoon, Na Tae-joo, Kim Hee-jae, and Park Ji-hyun teamed up with original singer Park Hyun-bin for a rousing performance of ‘Shabang Shabang,’ bridging generations of trot fans and performers alike.
Beyond the music, the show’s production team emphasized the deeper purpose behind the spectacle. Their aim, as Gukje News reported, was to use trot as a “common language to connect generations and provide warmth and hope to viewers during the holiday.” The interactive nature of the lucky bags and the collaborative spirit among artists reinforced this message, reminding viewers that the Lunar New Year is as much about shared experiences as it is about tradition.
For Lee Chan-won, the festival was just the beginning of a busy season. As noted by Star News, he was scheduled to continue his concert tour with performances in Jinju (February 21-22), Gwangju (March 7-8), and Daejeon (March 28-29). His role as MC for the festival showcased not only his musical talent but also his ability to bring people together—a quality that resonated with audiences both in the studio and at home.
As the final lucky bag opened and the night drew to a close, viewers were left with more than just catchy melodies and dazzling performances. They were reminded of the enduring power of music—particularly trot, with its rich history and emotional resonance—to bridge generations and offer comfort, laughter, and maybe even a little luck. For many, ‘2026 복터지는 트롯대잔치’ was more than a television special; it was a shared celebration, a burst of joy at the heart of the holiday.
In the end, the festival lived up to its promise, sending families into the new year with spirits high and hearts full, united by the infectious rhythms of trot and the hope that good fortune is just a song away.