Lee Chan Won is returning to where it all began. TV CHOSUN confirmed on October 19 that the singer will join “Mr. Trot 4” as a master, evaluating a new generation of contestants when the season premieres in December.
Lee, a TOP3 finalist from “Mr. Trot” Season 1, will take part from the main audition rounds onward. The network says he will judge performances and offer advice drawing on his deep knowledge of trot and years of broadcast experience as a singer and MC.
He is not the only franchise star on the panel. Season 1’s Kim Hee Jae, Season 2 winner Ahn Sung Hoon, Season 2 runner-up Park Ji Hyun, Kim Yong Bin and Son Bin Ah will all join as masters, marking the first season in which former contestants collectively judge their juniors.
Since his Season 1 breakout, Lee has expanded far beyond music into variety shows and music program hosting. In 2024 he set a record as the youngest solo male winner of the grand prize at the KBS Entertainment Awards.
No personal statement from Lee was included in the report. With six alumni masters on the panel, the season’s main viewing point will be what standards the former contestants apply to singing ability, emotional expression and stage performance.
