tvN STORY opened the glamorous final with a legendary stage featuring audience participation for the first time in the history of 'Well-dressed trot.'
The 7th episode of 'Well-dressed trot' (directed by Hwang Da-won, written by Jeong Soo-jeong), which aired on the 4th, showcased the 'Last T4 Battle' that marked the end of the heated journey with the 8 finalists: Choo Sung-hoon, Choi Dae-cheol, In Gyo-jin, Ji Seung-hyun, Hyun-woo, Kim Dong-ho, Italy, and Kim Jun-ho. It proceeded through a total of 2 rounds, where the first battle, featuring requested songs, captivated viewers with its dazzling start.
The team-building event held before the final stage was another point of entertainment that kept everyone captivated from the very beginning. Choi Dae-cheol, In Gyo-jin, Hyun-woo, and Kim Dong-ho formed the Na Hoon-ah team, while Choo Sung-hoon, Ji Seung-hyun, Italy, and Kim Jun-ho joined the Nam Jin team. They engaged in a close 4:4 team competition for the last opportunity in trot-dueting, starting with 'Body Language' up to the 'Karaoke Score Battle.' Notably, Choi Dae-cheol from the Na Hoon-ah team won the 'Body Language' game but hilariously presented a physical comedy by receiving a low kick from Choo Sung-hoon, eliciting laughter.
The 'Karaoke Score Battle' took place in two rounds: an ace solo and a group competition. Choo Sung-hoon captivated everyone by presenting 'One Love,' released in 2008, for the first time in 17 years. Particularly, Kim Jun-ho, who dreams of releasing music, could not hide his envy. In the group song competition, the Nam Jin team selected APT. by Yoon Soo-il, showcasing a unique office vibe, but the final victory went to the Na Hoon-ah team. The four members of the Na Hoon-ah team, who would benefit from trot-dueting, received careful advice from Jang Min-ho and Lee Chan-won on achieving the final T4 as they each prepared for the finale.
Lee Chan-won noted, “It's really the first program where we've even created a chat room and contacted each other privately. Personally, it was a program I felt very attached to, and the members were also wonderful.” Jang Min-ho said, “I hope you prepare a stage without regrets. I hope it becomes a memorable performance that I can revisit anytime as a video that will last a lifetime.”
The long-awaited final stage finally commenced. As it was the final, trot stars Lim Young-woong, Hong Ji-yoon, and Jeon Yu-jin, along with Yoon Il-sang, who was in charge of producing new songs for 'Well-dressed trot', and the popular band, who has been in a semi-conscious state, contributed to the excitement alongside the 100-member T-100 audience judging panel. In Gyo-jin's wife, So Yi-hyun, along with Choi Ji-woo, Park Soo-hong, Geum Jandi, Cho Sung-ha, and Wax, were spotted in the audience, drawing attention. Park Soo-hong humorously stated, “I hurried here after taking care of my baby to support Kim Jun-ho, who appeared in a parenting variety show together.”
The first round of the 'Last T4 Battle' was conducted with contestants choosing songs from a total of 600 requested songs. In the particularly revealing third round, the various benefits of Kim Jun-ho, Choo Sung-hoon, In Gyo-jin, and Ji Seung-hyun, who rose to the T4 throne, were disclosed, creating a surprise. There was an incredible twist hidden that was incomparable to previous rounds. Kim Jun-ho, who ranked 1st among the T4, chose the 'Deduct 30 points' option, while Choo Sung-hoon aimed for a 4-time T4 with the 'Add 40 points' benefit. In Gyo-jin opted for 'Deduct 30 points,' and Ji Seung-hyun selected the 'Stage Order Deciding Power', securing a advantageous position.
According to Ji Seung-hyun's stage order deciding power, the first person to take the stage was In Gyo-jin. In Gyo-jin selected Lim Young-woong's 'Home' and showcased a distinctive stage performance. Along with an impactful intro, he heated the venue with a surprise for his wife, So Yi-hyun, by coming down from the stage. The stage was praised by the judges for its perfect blend of listening pleasure and visual appeal, with Yoon Il-sang admiringly saying, “I guess this is what a stormy growth looks like.” So Yi-hyun expressed her happiness, stating, “It feels different from when I judge,” during the public proposal event.
Next was the stage of the vocal genius Italy, who performed Jo Byeong-seon's 'Wildflower' with great passion. This difficult song, which even active singers find challenging, led Italy to share, “It was the hardest to prepare for.” In fact, it was noted that he devoted the most practice time across all rounds. Italy garnered applause with his subdued vocal style that expressed deep emotion, but the judges' evaluations fluctuated between praise and criticism, arousing curiosity about the final results.
The protagonist of the third stage of the requested song battle was Kim Jun-ho. Kim Jun-ho selected Jo Hang-jo's 'Thank You for Your Life,' expressing his desire to share the story of his fencing life through the final stage. He poured out words he wished to tell his childhood self onto the stage. Kim Jun-ho moved the audience by incorporating moments when he had to contemplate giving up fencing into his performance. The original artist, the popular band, was also moved to tears by Kim Jun-ho's heartfelt stage.
The final stage, which was conducted on an unprecedented scale, revealed only the scores from the judges (500 points), while the scores from the T-100 audience judging panel (500 points) remained undisclosed, heightening the tension. Particularly, since the crucial T4 benefits had not yet been reflected, curiosity grows about how the final results might change and who would become the first T4 in the first round.
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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