During the March 5 finale broadcast of Miss Trot 4 on TV Chosun, Heo Chan-mi entered the last stage in first place based on the intermediate score. For the Life Song Mission, she chose Nam Jin’s classic “Naya Na (It’s Me)”, delivering a performance that symbolized her determination to break free from years of survival competitions and finally rise as a singer in her own right. Her stage combined stable vocals with the high-level performance skills she developed during her idol days, creating what many viewers described as a textbook example of modern trot performance.
The judges also praised her dedication. Master Jang Yoon-jung commented that Chan-mi’s sincerity on stage was deeply moving, adding that “this is truly Heo Chan-mi’s moment.” Judge Park Sun-joo also applauded her perseverance, saying she deserved recognition for continuing to stand up again despite numerous setbacks.
What makes Heo Chan-mi’s second-place finish especially emotional for fans is the long journey she has endured over nearly two decades in the entertainment industry. She was once part of the final debut lineup for Girls’ Generation during her trainee days at SM Entertainment, but ultimately did not debut with the group. Her career continued through several teams including Co-Ed School and F-ve Dolls, but stable success remained elusive.
Even after that, she faced repeated disappointments. She became known for the controversial “evil editing” she received during Produce 101, and the group planned from the audition program MixNine never debuted despite the competition’s finale. She also competed in Miss Trot 2 but finished in 11th place, once again stopping just short of the spotlight. Because of this history, many viewers saw Miss Trot 4 as a final opportunity for Chan-mi to prove herself.
Throughout this season, she demonstrated her talent and growth, quickly becoming one of the strongest candidates for the title. That is why narrowly missing the crown by such a small margin left many fans feeling especially disappointed. Shortly after the finale aired, online forums and SNS were flooded with supportive comments such as “She ranked second, but her impact and story were number one” and “Viewers know the 20 years of effort Heo Chan-mi has put in.”
Meanwhile, singer Lee Sona ultimately secured first place with an emotional performance of Patti Kim’s “Love Is the Flower of Life.” The final rankings were Lee Sona as Jin, Heo Chan-mi as Seon, and Hong Sung-yoon in third place as Mi, followed by Gil Ryeo-won in fourth and Yoon Tae-hwa in fifth.
Although Heo Chan-mi did not take home the crown of Miss Trot 4, many viewers believe she achieved a different kind of victory. Through her performances and perseverance, she proved her ability as a singer after years of setbacks. After spending nearly 20 years navigating the harsh world of survival shows and near-misses, Chan-mi has finally earned recognition from the public, making the title of “crownless queen” feel more like a triumph than a loss.
Sources: Daum | MBC연예
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