Hong Sung-yoon Delivers Emotional Tribute to Grandmother in Miss Trot 4 Finals

Hong Sung-yoon, a classically trained gayageum byeongchang (traditional Korean singing with gayageum accompaniment) performer, delivered one of the most emotionally charged moments of the Miss Trot 4 finals on March 5. Dedicating her performance to the grandmother who helped raise her, Hong performed Lee Sun-hee’s beloved ballad Inyeon (Fate), bringing both the judges and the audience to tears.

A Heartfelt Dedication

Before taking the stage for the life song mission, Hong shared that her grandmother has been the most important person in her life. She recalled practically growing up at her grandmother’s house, saying that no one else shares a deeper bond with her. The emotional weight of her words set the tone for a performance that would become one of the evening’s most memorable moments.

Hong’s journey to the Miss Trot 4 finals has been nothing short of remarkable. Recommended by senior trot singer Choi Jae-myeong, she entered the competition as a relative unknown with a background in traditional Korean music rather than mainstream trot. Her unique vocal quality and sincerity have won over audiences throughout the competition, and reaching the TOP 5 has exceeded even her own expectations.

Judges Praise Her Growth and Vocal Power

Judge Park Sun-ju could not hold back her admiration, telling Hong that she possesses the rare ability to capture hearts in an instant. Park encouraged her not to think of trot too narrowly, pointing out that the genre’s greatest performers have always poured their genuine selves into every note. She noted that while Hong is still building her experience, her journey to the finals is a remarkable achievement in itself.

Trot legend Jang Yoon-jung was equally impressed, drawing a striking comparison. She remarked that Hong’s voice reminded her of Lee Sun-hee’s, and that Hong had boldly chosen to perform the very song that inspired the comparison. Jang praised what she described as a bull-like pushing power in Hong’s vocals — an unstoppable force that simply charges forward. She highlighted a significant technical development in Hong’s singing, noting that the contestant had incorporated nasal resonance techniques for the first time, showing clear growth from previous rounds.

Jang also offered encouraging words about Hong’s future, acknowledging that as someone trained in traditional music, she likely had limited experience performing with a microphone and stage monitors. She predicted that once Hong becomes accustomed to live performance technology, her growth will accelerate dramatically.

A Rising Star from Daejeon

The finals of Miss Trot 4, which aired live on TV Chosun, featured the TOP 5 finalists — Heo Chan-mi, Lee So-na, Hong Sung-yoon, Yoon Tae-hwa, and Gil Ryeo-won — competing for the title of the fourth Trot Queen. The total score was out of 3,000 points, with 1,600 points from the master judges and 1,400 from the national audience vote.

Hong received impressive master scores ranging from 90 to 100 out of a possible maximum, reflecting the judges’ high regard for her performance. Her family, including her parents, older brother, and beloved grandmother, were all present in the audience to cheer her on, adding to the emotional atmosphere of the evening.

Hong’s appearance on Miss Trot 4 has also drawn attention from her hometown of Daejeon, where local politicians have publicly expressed their support. As a performer who bridges traditional Korean music and modern trot, Hong Sung-yoon represents a fresh voice in the genre, and regardless of the final results, her journey has already secured her a growing fanbase eager to follow her career.