🎤 Trot Takes the Trophy Once More
Trot isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. According to September 2025’s Netizen Awards, ‘Trot All-Star Wednesday Night’ claimed a massive victory, raking in 45,521 votes for a commanding 55.5% share. That makes it five consecutive wins in the Best Cultural Variety Award category, underscoring trot’s seemingly unstoppable grip on Korean entertainment.
📻 Radio Steps Up: Son Taejin’s Surprise Surge
Hot on its heels was Son Taejin’s trot-themed radio show on MBC Standard FM, pulling in 16,900 votes (20.6%). That’s no small feat for a radio program—usually overshadowed in TV-driven awards. Fans of his velvety voice clearly came out in force.
Third place went to ‘Trot Champion’ on MBC ON with 10,006 votes (12.2%), showing that even cable has some serious trot muscle.
🌍 Broadening the Horizon: From Earth Life to Psalms in Verse
Variety isn’t dead—it’s just evolving. ‘Earth Exploration Life’ from MBN snagged fourth place with 4,408 votes (5.4%), maintaining a loyal following. In fifth, KBS2’s ‘Chapter 2, Verse 1’ — a thoughtfully curated blend of music and narrative — captured 2,722 votes (3.3%).
🔥 The Veterans: Still Holding the Line
Legacy programs proved their worth, too. ‘Burning Roses’ (MBN) and ‘Immortal Songs’ (KBS2) took 6th and 7th places respectively, both with just over 900 votes. Their steady fanbases continue to support them, even if they’re no longer topping the charts.
TV Chosun’s ‘Legendary Song Workshop’ came in 8th with 590 votes, a nod to the enduring love for music-centered cultural programming.
🕵️♂️ Newcomers Sneak In With a Whisper
Two fresh entries rounded out the Top 10: ‘Secrets of the Detectives’ (Channel A) with 31 votes and ‘Joseon’s Lovers’ (TV Chosun) with a modest 7. They might not be heavy hitters yet, but their unique concepts offer a refreshing shake-up to the landscape.
💡 What This Means: Trot Is the New Mainstream
The key takeaway? Trot is no longer a niche genre for older viewers — it’s the dominant force in Korean cultural variety programming. The results prove that shows backed by strong fan engagement, like ‘Trot All-Star Wednesday Night’, are redefining what makes for successful entertainment.
Will trot’s winning streak continue into October, or will a dark horse genre rise to claim the spotlight? Either way, the cultural variety scene in Korea is looking more dynamic than ever.
