Kim Yongbin Edges Out Gil Ryeowon by 1 Point

The 21st episode of TV CHOSUN's "Geumtaneun Geumyoil" (Golden Friday), aired on the 15th, featured the genius composer Lee Ho-seop. With the composer, who has registered over 1,000 songs with the copyright association, the "Golden Star Death Match" performed by 10 trot top stars was filled with more abundant stages than ever before. The broadcast recorded a viewership rating of 3.9% nationwide based on Nielsen Korea, with the highest moment reaching 4.3%, ranking first among all daily general programming and cable programs.

In the first match, Choon-gil and the "Jin" (winner) Jung Seo-ju unexpectedly engaged in a dance battle. Choon-gil chose Park Nam-jung's "Love's Emergency Landing" and made a bold transformation by attempting breakdancing. The result was 99 points. Jung Seo-ju then presented Lee Ja-yeon's "Challang Challang," and although she missed some choreography due to nervousness, she completed the stage with her unique charming appeal. Fellow contestants praised her, saying, "I fell for Seo-ju all over again." Jung Seo-ju's score from the karaoke master was also 99 points, resulting in a draw for the dance battle.

In the second round, "No-Star" Nam Seung-min chose Kang Jin's "Oyeol" and recorded a perfect score of 100 points, earning his first golden star in five weeks. "Mi" (second place) Oh Yu-jin fiercely pursued with a soulful rendition of Ha Chun-hwa's "It's Raining at Masan Port," but it was not enough to overcome Nam Seung-min's perfect score. With his first golden star, Nam Seung-min also achieved his first victory against Oh Yu-jin, to whom he had lost three times in a row.

In the third match, Kim Yong-bin presented Joo Hyun-mi's "You Who Goes to Memories" with his own emotional interpretation, scoring 97 points. Lee Ho-seop, after watching the performance, exclaimed, "My jaw is still on the floor. Kim Yong-bin lives up to his name." The "catfish singer" who directly challenged Kim Yong-bin was revealed to be Gil Ryeo-won, the final 4th place contestant of "Miss Trot 4" and a recipient of the Lee Ho-seop Gayo Festival Grand Prize. Gil Ryeo-won declared, "I will crush you today," vowing victory. However, despite choosing Joo Hyun-mi's "Just a Moment" and showcasing her outstanding "kkeokgi" (vocal inflection) technique, she lost by 1 point with a score of 96. Consequently, Kim Yong-bin added two golden stars, instantly ascending to 4 stars.

The next match featured a traditional trot showdown between "Jin" Yang Ji-eun and "Seon" (second place) Son Bin-a. Yang Ji-eun soulfully sang Kim Yong-im's "Naejangsan." Son Bin-a perfectly delivered Lee Ho-seop's "Mujung" with her explosive vocal range and deep voice, securing a victory by 2 points against Yang Ji-eun amidst praise from the original composer.