'King of Singers3' crowned Hong Ji-yun as the third 'King of Singers', delivering a brilliant finale.
On the 10th, the final episode of MBN 'King of Singers3' recorded a peak minute rating of 12.4% and a nationwide rating of 11.7% (Nielsen Korea). In particular, through the final episode it secured first place in ratings across all programs broadcast on terrestrial, general cable and cable channels for six consecutive weeks, sweeping Tuesday's all-channel ratings and demonstrating the overwhelming strength of a survival variety show that truly represents Korea.
In the much-anticipated final of 'King of Singers3', the TOP9 contestants who advanced to the final—Hong Ji-yun, Cha Ji-yeon, Koo Soo-kyung, Soul-G, Kim Tae-yeon, Kang Hye-yeon, Lee Soo-yeon, Hong Ja and Geum Jan-di—fought their last battle to become the third king in the final second-round mission 'a singer's song' following the first final round. The TOP9, with their beloved families watching, poured their hearts into their life songs prepared to comfort Korea, delivering moving resonance and emotion.
Geum Jan-di, who took the stage first, expressed the joy she gained from participating in 'King of Singers3' to her upset mother, saying, "I liked feeling all the excitement and thrill of standing on a big stage." Choosing "Daejeon Blues," Geum Jan-di said, "This is the first song of my life," and delivered a rich, seasoned performance that maximized the experience of a veteran trot singer. After the stage she plopped down and joked, "I fell and got back up. Mom and dad almost left," which drew laughter, but she received the highest celebrity judging score of 90 and the lowest of 30, confirming a higher-than-ever threshold for the final.
Hong Ja, who had been in poor condition due to vocal nodules and the flu, chose "You Are Beautiful," which she had sung for a bedridden fan, saying, "I want to do well on the final stage for the fans' sake." Hong Ja, who delivered emotional lyrics and melody, was praised, "It gave strength to herself and comfort to us who listened," but had to swallow disappointment with a top score of 93 and a lowest score of 30.
Lee Soo-yeon said, "I want to comfort everyone's hearts while thinking of the grandmother who filled the void left by my parents," and expressed deep gratitude with "Yakson," moving everyone's eyes to tears. Lee Soo-yeon, who shed tears for the first time, received high praise from Joo Hyun-mi, "You are such a perfect and professional singer," and after earning a top score of 100 and a lowest score of 55 she smiled.
Kang Hye-yeon, who re-challenged 'King of Singers3' and said, "It was very hard because I kept getting eliminated," took first place in the nationwide support vote and vowed, "I can't collapse here," showing determination. Choosing "Dream," Kang Hye-yeon poured out sincere emotion in her passionate performance and, amid praise that "she sang this song really well," received a top score of 100 and a lowest score of 50, shedding tears of joy.
Kim Tae-yeon said, "My driving force is family, especially my grandfather," and described happy times spent with him, then spoke of the difficult time when she had the flu before passionately singing "Eomma" with rich vocal power and her characteristic emotional interpretation. Kim Tae-yeon, who received the compliment, "Watching this stage, some singers might decide to retire," earned a top score of 100 and a lowest score of 50, tying with Kang Hye-yeon.
Soul-G said, "I sincerely want to give this song as a gift to my parents," and from the selection process of "Irretrievable years" she showed sorrow, saying, "Thinking of my mother makes me cry." Soul-G preserved the poignant emotional line with solid vocal skill, and with Yoon Myung-seon's high praise, "It became so sincere. Congratulations on pioneering the land of trot," she received a top score of 100 and a lowest score of 65 and instantly rose to first place.
Koo Soo-kyung performed after visiting the market where she used to perform as an unknown singer and receiving tearful encouragement from her parents. Choosing "Roundabout Road," Koo Soo-kyung unleashed explosive vocal power that blended trot and rock, and her mother watching broke down in tears seeing her daughter's hard work. Receiving even Enoch's confession, "I fell in love and became a fan. It was the best stage," Koo Soo-kyung settled into the top ranks with a top score of 100 and a lowest score of 55.
Cha Ji-yeon appeared not in a glamorous dress but in a modest hanbok with a binyeo and a side bun, puzzling everyone. After meeting the benefactor who made her participation in 'King of Singers3' a reality and renewing her resolve, Cha Ji-yeon chose the classic trot "Spring Days Are Gone" and completed an overwhelming, musical-like stage composed as a sorrowful story of Jung Ae-sim, age 83, reflecting on her life. Cha Ji-yeon sang the first verse as if acting in Jung Ae-sim's voice, moving masters such as Sul Woon-do, Joo Hyun-mi, Park Seo-jin and Lyn, as well as the national judging panel, to sobs, and received a top score of 100 and a lowest score of 65.
Hong Ji-yun reflected on her competition, saying, "'King of Singers' was a series of challenges. I wanted to show a new side that doesn't settle." Choosing "My crying mother" with the wish, "I hope my grandmother lives a long life because she introduced me to and taught me trot," Hong Ji-yun proved her ultimate traditional trot skills with a structured vocal style and, amid praise that "we applaud the effort and ability to make any song into a legendary stage," she tied for first with Soul-G and Cha Ji-yeon with a top score of 100 and a lowest score of 65.
After the final match of the 'King of Singers3' final ended, the final rankings were announced by adding the results of the second-round on-site judging, the nationwide support vote, the new song digital score and the real-time text vote scores to the total scores from the first round. Real-time text voting totaled 1,207,267 votes, confirming overwhelming support for 'King of Singers3'.
The honored third 'King of Singers' title went to Hong Ji-yun, who received 196,188 of the 1,207,267 real-time text votes and recorded a total score of 3,727. Next, Cha Ji-yeon, Lee Soo-yeon, Koo Soo-kyung, Kang Hye-yeon, Kim Tae-yeon and Soul-G took the TOP7 spots and were selected as national representatives.
Having proven a wide musical spectrum through transformations in every round, Hong Ji-yun said tearfully, "I agonized a lot before participating in 'King of Singers'. I became a singer through an audition and debuted with too little preparation, so I felt very lacking. So I mustered the courage to challenge because I wanted to show growth and development. I will continue to work hard to become a great musician."
The production team of 'King of Singers3' said, "We thank the viewers who supported and cheered for the 100-day journey of 'King of Singers3' until the end. The third king Hong Ji-yun and the TOP7 will repay viewers' love through various activities. Please show much interest and support for the TOP7 representing the nation in the '2026 Korea-Japan king of singers contest.'"
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