″Team Korea″ triumphed in the grand finale of the Korea-Japan ″Mr. Trot″ showdown. The second installment of the event, part of TV CHOSUN’s entertainment program ″Love’s Call Center - Seven Stars″ (also known as ″Sacol Seven″), aired on the 14th to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. Team Korea achieved a dramatic victory in this highly anticipated competition.

Nielsen Korea reported that the show garnered a nationwide viewership rating of 4.3%, making it the top-rated program in its time slot across all channels, including terrestrial, comprehensive, and cable networks. It also ranked first among daily comprehensive and cable programs, as well as all Thursday variety shows. ″Sacol Seven″ has maintained its first-place ranking for 15 consecutive weeks, peaking at an impressive 5.4%.

The final showdown in Round 1 featured performances from Kim Yong-bin, the champion of ″Mr. Trot 3,″ and Shima Yuuki, the winner of ″Mr. Trot Japan.″ Kim Yong-bin delivered a captivating rendition of Shim Soo-bong’s ″Binari,″ earning accolades such as, ″Kim Yong-bin is a genre unto himself.″ Shima Yuuki praised the performance, stating, ″This is truly the stage of the true Korean trot singer.″ The global judges voted 93-90, solidifying Kim Yong-bin’s status as Team Korea’s champion.

In Round 2, the trio of Son Bin-ah, Chun-gil, and Park Ji-hoo showcased a K-inspired performance of Lee Seung-chul’s ″Western Sky.″ Meanwhile, Shima Yuuki and Masato presented a vibrant J-performance of Takahashi Yoko’s ″A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,″ leading Team Japan to victory in this round.

The third round featured a representative from each team performing a song. Nam Seung-min faced off against Ryuta with Misora Hibari’s ″Busan Koe Kaere,″ a Japanese version of Cho Yong-pil’s ″Come Back to Busan Port,″ but lost narrowly. Kim Yong-bin also performed Lee Mi-ja’s ″Dongbaek Lady,″ but was edged out by Masato by three points.

Chun Rok-dam, a member of the ″American″ team, took the stage in a white jeogori, symbolizing the ″white-clad people,″ and delivered a powerful rendition of The Checkers’ ″Giuliani Shoshin″ with impeccable Japanese pronunciation, achieving a remarkable 16-point victory over Tsunehiko. Son Bin-ah, representing the ″good″ team, then faced Shima Yuuki with X Japan’s ″TEARS,″ securing an 11-point win.

The intense competition between Korea and Japan on ″Mr. Trot″ culminated in a thrilling comeback victory for ″Team Korea.″ ″Sacol Seven″ airs every Thursday at 10 PM.