Lee Soo-yeon Advances to ‘Hyun-yeok Gawang 3’ Finals Despite Challenges
By Yae Ji Ryu, March 4, 2026
Lee Soo-yeon, the 12-year-classic trot sensation, has overcome obstacles to secure a place in the final stage of MBN’s ‘Hyun-yeok Gawang 3’. Her performance on the episode aired March 3rd marked a significant step forward in the competition.
Emotional Performance of ‘Father, Dad, Daddy’
Having topped the semi-final mission the previous week, Lee Soo-yeon chose Yoon Myung-sun’s ‘Father, Dad, Daddy’ for the ‘Modern Song Battle’ mission. This selection came after composer Yoon Myung-sun expressed his desire to collaborate with the young singer. Lee Soo-yeon explained her choice, stating the lyrics resonated with her personal story, and she aimed to deliver a heartfelt rendition.
Lee Soo-yeon’s performance of ‘Father, Dad, Daddy’ was deeply moving, as she shared her experience of losing her father at a young age. The emotional delivery captivated the audience.
Critical Acclaim and a Dramatic Comeback
Joo Hyun-mi praised Lee Soo-yeon’s ability to convey emotion and interpretation through her singing, highlighting her “unique sensibility and clear, pure high notes” and “astonishing level of skill.” Yoon Myung-sun added that a singer who has experienced sadness can offer true comfort to listeners, and Lee Soo-yeon achieved this with her performance.
Despite receiving positive reviews, Lee Soo-yeon initially received a score of 571, putting her advancement at risk. However, with strong support from the national judging panel, she tied for 7th place with Hong Ja, securing her spot in the second round of the finals .
Rising Star in the Trot Genre
Lee Soo-yeon, recognized as a “view count fairy” with millions of views across various music programs, has quickly develop into a prominent figure in the trot genre . Her journey on ‘Hyun-yeok Gawang 3’ continues to draw attention, and her recent victory against Bin Ye-seo in a one-on-one battle further solidifies her position as a strong contender . Jeong Soo-ra, the original artist of a song performed by Lee Soo-yeon, praised her professionalism, stating she was “more professional than any adult participant.”
Lee Soo-yeon also overcame a crisis to advance to the final hurdle of ‘Active Singer King 3’ .