Rising Trot Star Hong Ji-yoon Shines on MBN’s Korea-Japan Showcase
Emerging trot sensation Hong Ji-yoon, representing ChoiLab, delivered a series of stirring performances on the recent episode of MBN’s variety program, showcasing both her vocal prowess and charismatic stage presence.
On the June 20th airing of MBN’s popular variety show, Hong participated in the “Real Name Gawangjeon” special, where active singers were split into teams based on whether they use stage names or their real names. Hong joined the Real Name team alongside fellow singer Lee Soo-yeon and went head-to-head against the team of LYn and Jin Hae-seong.
Lee Soo-yeon emotionally shared, “(Hong) Ji-yoon unnie was my role model—she’s the reason I dreamed of becoming a singer. Teaming up with her is such an honor and feels like a dream come true.” Hong responded with a warm smile, creating a touching moment on set.
The duo performed the song “돌팔매 (Stone Throw),” captivating the audience with their synergy and vocal coordination. Hong’s cool, powerful voice—often dubbed the “Trot Barbie”—stood out, and the team managed to take home the win over their opponents.
The following segment featured a 1:1 duel between Hong and her close friend Park Seo-jin. Park affectionately mentioned, “She’s the only female friend whose number I’ve saved,” revealing their unique bond. Hong quipped, “I’m not sure you take care of me that well,” bringing laughter to the stage. The friendly back-and-forth continued with Hong agreeing, “Yeah, we’re both kind of difficult,” sparking more chuckles from the audience.
Next, Hong took the stage again, this time with a solo rendition of the balladic trot number “Cheonnyeonhak (천년학)” originally by Kim Yong-im. Using her deep emotion and powerful vocal range, Hong enraptured the auditorium. Supported by a vocal performance from her former university colleague Lee Sung-hyun, the performance was mesmerizing and secured another win for the young artist.
Hong Ji-yoon’s momentum doesn’t stop there. She recently appeared with veteran singer Kim Yeon-ja on Japanese enka program ‘Life Has a Song’, showcasing her versatility and marking her growing presence in Japan’s music scene.
In addition to her television appearances, she’s slated for upcoming performances on KBS 2TV’s New Release FANSTARTOWN and is actively promoting her latest track “Garirang.” With each appearance, Hong is solidifying her place as the future of Hallyu trot.
