Korean and Japanese Trot stars engaged in an exciting competition, creating palpable tension.
Currently, Team Japan leads with one golden star, making the upcoming rounds highly anticipated.
[TV Daily Reporter Lee Gi-eun] The special Lunar New Year episode of 'Gold is Friday', titled 'Korea-Japan Deathmatch', has kicked off, featuring major Trot stars from Korea and Japan battling it out. The broadcast on February 13 captivated the audience with the special theme of 'Korea-Japan Deathmatch'. Given that this rematch comes six months after last year’s face-off, nervous tension was palpable even before the show began. Team Korea expressed their confidence with promises of victory, while Team Japan declared their determination for revenge. The episode recorded a 5.4% viewership rating, peaking at 5.7%, marking it as the top-rated entertainment program during the same time slot. The iconic Kim Yeon-ja and Japanese diva Takahashi Yoko led their respective teams, setting an impactful stage for the competition. Both legends showcased mutual respect while asserting their commitment to lead their teams to triumph.
The first round kicked off with a rematch between Mi Cheon-rok-dam and Japan’s Tsunehiko, who aimed for revenge. Tsunehiko performed ‘RUN’, earning 98 points, while Cheon-rok-dam matched this score with ‘Bae Tiwora’, emphasizing the technical prowess on display. Following this, the duel between Kim Yong-bin and Rie unfolded, with Yong-bin delivering an emotional rendition of ‘Your Highness’ and Rie flawlessly performing ‘Heavenly Reunion’ in Korean, leaving the audience in awe. The final scores of these performances remained undisclosed, adding to the suspense for viewers.
In the youngest champion bout, Jeong Seo-joo sang Na Hoon-a’s ‘Mother in Hometown’, while Yuuki belted out X-Japan's ‘Endless Rain’, again leading to a tie. In a match between Bae Ah-hyun and Chai, Bae received higher points, allowing Team Korea to regain footing, yet Team Japan still holds the advantage. As both teams continue their contest, all eyes are on how the outcomes may shift in the upcoming rounds.
The Lunar New Year special of 'Gold is Friday' serves as a unique platform that transcends musical boundaries between Korea and Japan, offering viewers a blend of entertainment and cultural exchange. The format of competitive performances allows each artist to showcase their emotional depth and individuality, generating continuous suspense and excitement. The recent surge in popularity for Korean Trot music finds a harmonious juxtaposition with Japan's traditional Enka, illustrating the deep cultural connections between the two nations.
Legendary artists such as Kim Yeon-ja and Takahashi Yoko further enrich viewer experience and elevate the quality of the broadcast. This phenomenon notably encourages fan communities to rally behind their respective teams, creating an engaging environment of rivalry. In today’s society, such competitions resonate beyond mere entertainment, acting as pivotal examples of cultural exchange.
A noteworthy aspect of this broadcast is the way participants' unique strengths are highlighted through the staging of performances. The duel between Kim Yong-bin and Rie exemplifies this, creating dynamic moments that captivate audiences. These elements elevate the format of the show to another level of entertainment, making this Lunar New Year special feel like an epic musical duel between Japan and Korea.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
