"Trot prince" Kim Yong-bin has once again topped the online support voting for "Mr. Trot 3," emerging as a strong contender for the championship.
On the broadcast of TV Chosun's "Mr. Trot 3" on the 20th, the results of the online voting conducted from 9 a.m. on February 13 to 9 a.m. on the 20th showed that Kim maintained the top position for six consecutive rounds, showcasing his overwhelming presence.
Kim Yong-bin's popularity was confirmed through various indicators even before the broadcast. The number of members in the official fan cafe "Love Bin" was only 1,472 on December 17 last year, but after the broadcast began, it surged to 2,142 members by December 25. As of February 20, the number of members has reached an impressive 7,508, with over 6,000 new fans joining within just two months.
Additionally, Kim Yong-bin has demonstrated his musical abilities as all three songs he performed in "Mr. Trot 3," including "Lover," "Separation," and "Beloved," have made it onto the biggest domestic music chart, Melon, in the trote institutional sector. Furthermore, both "Lover" and "Separation" have reached positions 74 and 78, respectively, on the Hot 100 chart, receiving significant love from the public.
Moreover, Kim Yong-bin's popularity on social media is noteworthy. As of February 20, his Instagram follower count has reached approximately 33,400, significantly outpacing his competitors. This is interpreted as a result of not only his appealing looks but also his impressive vocal ability and emotionally resonant stage presence, which have garnered steady support from fans.
While other competitors like Son Bin-ah and Choi Jae-myung are showing remarkable results in terms of fan cafe membership and social media activity, it is evident that Kim Yong-bin is leading in overall recognition and approval ratings.
In contrast to his delicate appearance, Kim Yong-bin exudes an immense aura on stage with his deep, rich voice and exceptional song interpretation skills. His nuanced expressiveness, where he imbues emotion into every syllable, is key to his establishment as the "Trot prince," which he reaffirmed during a tribute performance of the late Hyun-cheol's "Bongsunhwa Yeonjeong" in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Kim Yong-bin, who is sprinting as a strong contender for the "Mr. Trot 3" championship with his outstanding performance, will have his finalist qualifying status confirmed during the broadcast of "Mr. Trot 3" on TV Chosun at 10 p.m. on the 27th.