Heochanmi · Lee Sona · Hong Seongyun · Yun Taehwa · Gil Ryeowon: 5 Viewing Points Miss Trot 4's Semifinal TOP5 Confirmation Poses for the March Final
TV Chosun's 'Miss Trot 4' semifinal (February 26) confirmed Heochanmi, Lee Sona, Hong Seongyun, Yun Taehwa, and Gil Ryeowon as the TOP5 finalists. The semifinal recorded a season-high viewership of 16.4%–17.7%, raising anticipation for the March 5 final to its peak.
Image source: Performance reference image (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY)
TL;DR
- TOP5 Confirmed: Heochanmi (1st) · Lee Sona (2nd) · Hong Seongyun (3rd) · Yun Taehwa (4th) · Gil Ryeowon (5th)
- Eliminated: Yun Yunseo, Yeom Yuri, Lee Eliya, Kim Sanha, Yumi (5 in total)
- Viewership: Semifinal peak at 16.4%–17.7% — season's own record broken
- Final: Scheduled to air Thursday, March 5 on TV Chosun
- Expected to surpass the previous season 'Mr. Trot 3' semifinal ratings, with a possible 20% final viewership noted
The Facts: What Happened in the Semifinal
TV Chosun's 'Miss Trot 4' Episode 11, aired on the night of Thursday, February 26, 2026, was the semifinal to determine the 5 finalists. This season took the unusual approach of a TOP5 format instead of TOP7, making the competition even more intense.
Real-time text voting proved decisive. Heochanmi rose from 2nd to 1st in the interim rankings, Lee Sona jumped from 4th to 2nd, and Yun Taehwa leapt from 5th to 4th, once again demonstrating the power of real-time voting.
The five eliminated contestants — Yun Yunseo, Yeom Yuri, Lee Eliya, Kim Sanha, and Yumi — drew an outpouring of regret from viewers.
Why This Semifinal Became a 'Legend'
1) Heochanmi — The Weight of a Perfect Real-Time Vote
Heochanmi secured her position as the frontrunner by finishing 1st in the real-time votes during the semifinal. Her familiar vocal color in the style of a nationwide karaoke staple and her commanding stage presence cemented her fanbase.
2) Lee Sona — 'The One Who Left' and Her Mother's Illness
Lee Sona belted out 'The One Who Left' while revealing her mother's battle with illness, moving both the masters and viewers to tears. Her emotional narrative translated directly into votes, propelling her from interim 4th to a final ranking of 2nd.
3) Hong Seongyun — Authentic Trot in the Present Tense
With her performance of 'Jeongnyeong,' Hong Seongyun demonstrated the seasoned craftsmanship of a veteran trot artisan at a young age. She once again proved why she is regarded as the 'finest musicianship in Miss Trot 4' among vocal trainers.
4) Yun Taehwa & Gil Ryeowon — Symbols of the Comeback Drama
Yun Taehwa ignited a surge of empathy by publicly revealing her divorce for the first time. Gil Ryeowon established herself as the 'greatest upset survivor of Miss Trot 4' with her melismatic vocal skills and one-of-a-kind character.
Context & Background: The Social Standing of the Miss Trot Series
'Miss Trot' began with Season 1 in 2019 and has produced national trot stars including Song Gain, Yang Ji-eun, and Jeong Seo-ju. Each season builds a massive fandom, with winners going on to nationwide tours and major concerts.
This Season 4 completely removed age restrictions, allowing entrants from elementary school students to seniors, and maintained double-digit viewership ratings throughout its run before breaking its own record in the semifinal. As TV Chosun's flagship program, it sits at the center of the 2026 terrestrial and cable entertainment viewership competition.
Outlook: Can the March 5 Final Break 20%?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Air Date | Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
| Final Contestants | Heochanmi · Lee Sona · Hong Seongyun · Yun Taehwa · Gil Ryeowon |
| Semifinal Peak Viewership | 17.7% (season's own record) |
| Season Premiere Viewership | 10.8% |
| Previous Season (Mr. Trot 3) Semifinal | On par with final viewership figures |
| Possibility of Breaking 20% in Final | High — total fandom mobilization expected |
Experts believe the three-way battle of Heochanmi's dominant momentum, Lee Sona's emotional narrative, and Hong Seongyun's musicality will make the final 'the best ever.' Many analysts note that Gil Ryeowon and Yun Taehwa have sufficient upset potential, making the text vote results difficult to predict.