Idol Stars Shake Up the Traditional Trot-Dominated Landscape
At 11:43 PM on August 23, rookie artist Anna Miyao stood in 18th place with 116 votes (0.2%) in the real-time tally for this month’s Netizen Awards Neo Star category.
Leading the votes was Son Bina with 19,938 votes (32.6%), followed by Kim Jihoon (10,498 votes, 17.2%) and Chungil (7,702 votes, 12.6%). Other top contenders include Minsuhyun and Jinwook. While Miyao’s current ranking may be low, her presence signals fierce newcomer potential—a spark waiting to ignite.
The Rise of Idols in a Traditionally Trot-Dominated Arena
Historically, the Netizen Awards have been a stronghold for trot music, Korea’s old-school pop genre known for its emotional vocals and loyal older fanbase. But that narrative is starting to shift. Idol artists are now climbing the ladder across categories—girl group LE SSERAFIM’s Kazuha even soared to 4th in the Female Artist category.
In Miyao’s case, though her vote share is modest, she’s part of a quiet revolution. With fellow idol contestants like PLAYV’s Eunho (292 votes, 0.5%) also showing promise, the line between trot ballads and pop idols is getting blurry. And in a fan-driven arena like this, that’s a big deal.
Could Anna Miyao Be the Surprise Star of the Season?
Yes, her vote count is low—so far. But here’s the kicker: the Netizen Awards are known for their unpredictable fan surges. Rapid mobilization from fandoms can flip rankings overnight. Even if Miyao doesn’t crack the top 10 this time, she’s building visibility—and in the fast-paced world of K-pop, visibility is currency.
This isn’t just a ranking—it’s a fandom litmus test. And with more idol-backed artists entering the field, Anna Miyao might just be laying the foundation for a bigger breakout soon. Keep your eye on her—this could be the beginning of her highlight reel.
