Controversial 'Bultaneun Trotman' Son Tae-jin Wins Final Victory

Controversy Over Fairness as Favorite Hwang Young-woong Withdraws
Ends with 16.2%, Failing to Surpass Own Highest Ratings

Son Tae-jin (34) was selected as the winner of MBN's trot audition program 'Bultaneun Trotman,' from which contestant Hwang Young-woong, who was embroiled in various controversies including assault and violence, withdrew.

On the 7th, the second round of the finals was held on MBN's 'Bultaneun Trotman.' After Hwang Young-woong, who ranked first in the first round last week, withdrew, the top 7 performed in the second round. The final winner was decided by reflecting the first round rankings and real-time live text voting on the day.

[Photo by MBN 'Bultaneun Trotman']

Son Tae-jin took first place with a total combined score of 3312.72 from the first and second rounds of the finals and real-time text votes. The second place went to Shin Sung, third to Min Su-hyun, fourth to Kim Joong-yeon, fifth to Park Min-su, sixth to Gong Hoon, and seventh to Enoch.

On the day, MC Do Kyung-wan announced, "Among the finalists, Hwang Young-woong expressed his intention to withdraw from the competition and did not participate in the second round of the finals. Therefore, only the top seven excluding Hwang Young-woong participated in the second round."

He added, "We sincerely apologize on behalf of 'Bultaneun Trotman' for causing concern to the viewers regarding the program." He continued, "We will do our best to ensure a fair conclusion."

In the second round, Son Tae-jin received the highest score by performing Nam Jin's 'Sangsahwa.' Son Tae-jin, the final winner, is a classically trained vocalist who previously won JTBC's 'Phantom Singer.' Additionally, he attracted attention after it was revealed that he is the nephew of singer Shim Soo-bong. Shim Soo-bong appeared as a special guest during the competition and met with Son Tae-jin.

Upon being announced as the winner, Son Tae-jin tearfully said, "I am grateful to everyone. I have learned so much." He added, "I think I was only an introduction in the book of life that sings. I will do my best for new trot music that can encompass generations and eras."

As a prize for winning, Son Tae-jin will receive a cumulative prize money of 620 million KRW in stages, and a winning song composed by singer Seol Woon-do.

[Photo by MBN 'Bultaneun Trotman']

'Bultaneun Trotman,' which first aired in December last year, is a program produced by PD Seo Hye-jin, who launched an independent production company after presenting TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot' and 'Miss Trot.'

'Bultaneun Trotman' started with an 8.3% viewership rating and continued to gain popularity with each episode, but just before the finals, contestant Hwang Young-woong, who had ranked first in text voting and was considered a strong candidate for the win, became embroiled in controversies including assault records and school violence allegations.

However, the production team decided to continue supporting Hwang Young-woong, which drew criticism. Despite multiple controversies, the first round of the finals was broadcast as is, raising questions about the fairness of the audition. After further allegations against Hwang Young-woong surfaced, he voluntarily withdrew on the 3rd.

The final episode of 'Bultaneun Trotman' recorded viewership ratings of 14.8% (Part 1), 16.2% (Part 2), and 15.6% (Part 3), respectively. Typically, audition programs achieve their highest ratings in the final episode, but this was not the case. The program's highest rating was 16.6% during episode 10.

The production team stated, "Although the broadcast has ended, the new trotmen will continue to meet viewers through follow-up variety shows and concerts to bring joy," and expressed gratitude to viewers for the past three months.