The two giants of the Korean music industry, Jo Hang-jo and Joo Hyun-mi, have joined the massive trot audition program MBN 'Unknown Legend - Trot Men's Ranking War' (hereafter 'Unknown Legend') following Nam Jin, gathering a 'national treasure' trot legend group in one place.
On the 28th, MBN announced that Jo Hang-jo and Joo Hyun-mi have confirmed their participation in 'Unknown Legend' following Nam Jin. Jo Hang-jo noted, 'I want to be a ray of hope for unknown singers like me,' expressing deep agreement with the intent of 'Unknown Legend' to become a new opportunity.
The two have a connection from participating in a concert by Im Yi-ja, who is called a 'living legend.' In a press conference for the 'Im Yi-ja Traditional Music Tribute Concert - Connecting the Pulse' held last March, Im Yi-ja specifically mentioned Jo Hang-jo and Joo Hyun-mi as junior singers who will carry on the pulse of traditional music, demonstrating deep trust.
Jo Hang-jo and Joo Hyun-mi have consistently been regarded as idols for junior trot singers. Song Ga-in, when appearing on KBS 'Immortal Songs,' mentioned, 'The period of being unknown was long. I endured by listening to the songs of my seniors whenever I was struggling,' referring to Joo Hyun-mi as a role model. Jang Min-ho, who is the MC of 'Unknown Legend' and has gone through a long period of being unknown, also moved the audience by singing Jo Hang-jo's 'For the Reason of Being a Man' on the finale stage of Mr. Trot.
With the two, who have influenced the success of junior singers, joining the legend following Nam Jin, 'Unknown Legend' has solidified its unique identity as 'unearthing unknown gems.' As representatives of the trot world, these esteemed figures will serve as a strong support for unknown singers, helping to realize the 'dream stage.'
Jo Hang-jo, who debuted as the lead vocalist of the rock band 'Year 1999' in 1978, experienced over 20 years of being unknown before releasing the hit song 'For the Reason of Being a Man' in 1997. Overcoming his long period of obscurity, he has produced numerous hit songs like 'Man's Tears,' 'What If,' and 'Lie,' establishing himself as the 'Emperor of Trot.' Not only has he excelled as a judge on various audition and survival programs, but having participated in 'I Am a Trot Singer' where he experienced the survival stage, he is expected to give empathetic and realistic advice to the participants.
The 'Trot Queen' Joo Hyun-mi, who debuted with her hit song 'The Rainy Yeongdong Bridge' in 1985, has faced many challenges, including participating in the 'Gyeongbyeon Song Festival'. Since her debut, she has left numerous hit songs like 'Unrequited Love,' 'Nice to Meet You Again,' and 'That Person in Sinsa-dong.' Having excelled as a judge on major audition programs, providing cool evaluations and warm encouragement that helped participants grow, she is expected to become a support for unknown singers this time as well.
'Unknown Legend' has garnered a hot response with a surge in applicants following the confirmation of Jang Min-ho and Kim Dae-ho as MCs, as well as news of Nam Jin's joining as a 'legend.' The 'recruitment teaser' disclosed on the official channel on the 25th contains the heartfelt voices of actual first-round audition participants. They shared poignant stories, saying, 'My peers Jang Min-ho, Young-tak, and Mai Jin all succeeded,' 'I want to live as a famous singer, even for just one day,' and 'I came with a desperate heart, thinking this could be my last chance,' foretelling that 'Unknown Legend' will become a stage that illuminates the lives of unknown singers beyond a simple competition.
The massive trot audition 'Unknown Legend' is open for any man who loves trot, regardless of age, nationality, or experience. The second round of participant recruitment is currently ongoing until October 10, and 'Unknown Legend' is set to air for the first time in February 2026.
[Photo] MBN 'Unknown Legend'
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