As 'Mr. Trot 3' heads into its final stages, the battle for the ultimate crown is intensifying. With 14 semifinalists confirmed, a fierce competition has emerged, and some contestants have already built strong fan bases, fueling speculations about the show's final outcome.

The biggest rivalry in the show revolves around Kim Yong-bin and Son Bin-ah, leading to the term "Eo-jin-bin" (meaning 'the winner will be either of the two Bins') circulating among fans. With both being same-aged close friends but showcasing distinct musical styles, all eyes are on whether one of them will claim the championship.

Kim Yong-bin vs. Son Bin-ah-The Ultimate Showdown?

Kim Yong-bin has maintained his position at No.1 in the national voting for five consecutive weeks, proving his immense popularity. His performances dominate the highest-viewed clips from 'Mr. Trot 3.' Fans praise his deep, powerful voice, which contrasts with his delicate visuals, making him a standout competitor.

Son Bin-ah, on the other hand, is recognized as the most technically skilled contestant. As the first contestant in trot audition history to achieve the triple crown (winning first place in multiple rounds), he has consistently secured the highest scores. Entering the competition through the newly introduced "Active Singer X" category, he proved his talent through a blind audition and has since been hailed as "The Textbook of Trot" by the judging panel.

Unexpected Powerhouses Shake Up the Competition

Apart from these two frontrunners, other standout contestants have captivated viewers with shocking transformations.

  • Cheon Rok-dam, known as the "Prince of R&B," stunned audiences by switching to trot. His performance of "Nim's Lantern" in the one-on-one death match showcased an entirely new side, earning him the comment "A divine blessing upon trot" from the judges. Having won back-to-back first-place titles (Jin, 眞) in previous rounds, his journey into the trot world has become one to watch.
  • Chun-gil, once known as the "Prince of Ballads," proved that a great singer can excel in any genre. His smooth yet masterful vocal inflections added a unique depth to his performances. Combined with his unexpected sense of humor, Chun-gil is rapidly gaining popularity.
  • Choi Jae-myung, a powerful performer in his 20s, is another name to watch. He won third place (Mi, 美) in the first audition, defeating several seasoned professionals. He then led the college team to victory with a legendary performance of "Chang-Gwi", earning him first place (Jin, 眞) in that round. With his distinctive voice influenced by Korean traditional music and charming visuals, he has been steadily increasing his fan base.

Fairness Controversy: Are Some Contestants Receiving Special Treatment?

However, as the competition heats up, allegations of favoritism are surfacing.

  • Park Ji-hoo, who has been given three consecutive additional chances to advance, has become a controversial figure. Despite making an in-ear monitoring mistake and messing up stage directions, he still advanced without a clear explanation, leading to accusations of unfair treatment.
  • Lee Ji-hoon also suffered a pitch error but managed to survive as the only additional qualifier from his team-a decision justified solely by his leadership role, which has raised further doubts among viewers.

With the final rounds approaching, tensions are rising over whether 'Mr. Trot 3' is a fair competition or if the winners were already pre-determined. Fans are closely watching to see if these concerns will impact the show's credibility as the battle for the ultimate title continues.

SR

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