Lee Elijah Earns Rave Reviews on Miss Trot 4 Semi-Finals Despite Narrow Elimination

Actress Lee Elijah delivered one of the most captivating performances of the evening on the Miss Trot 4 semi-finals, earning effusive praise from the show's panel of masters despite ultimately falling short of the final TOP5.

The February 26 live broadcast of TV Chosun's hit trot singing competition saw its TOP10 contestants battle for five coveted spots in the upcoming finals. Lee Elijah, who has been steadily climbing the viewer popularity rankings throughout the season, chose to perform Lee Mi-ja's classic ballad "Twilight Blues" — a song renowned for its deceptive difficulty.

Masters Left Speechless

Master Ahn Sung-hoon offered what many viewers described as a confession-like review, telling Lee Elijah that her husky vocal tone paired beautifully with the blues genre. He noted that while the song appears smooth and easy on the surface, its demanding breath control and wide melodic range make it a formidable challenge for most vocalists.

"The falsetto in the first verse comes through with a husky quality that feels genuinely sorrowful," Ahn said. "Just the act of closing your eyes and singing — your voice itself, without any embellishment — is incredibly attractive."

Fellow master Kim Yong-im echoed the sentiment, drawing on her decades of industry experience. She recalled that during her generation's auditions, mastering this particular song was considered a gateway to performing on any stage. Kim praised Lee Elijah's natural rhythm and noted that her acting background gave her an edge in emotional expression, calling her facial performance during the song "absolutely stunning."

From Weekly Charts to Semi-Final Stage

Lee Elijah had been building momentum throughout the competition, placing fifth in the third weekly viewer vote and climbing to third place by the fourth week. Heading into the semi-finals, she ranked third in the eighth weekly poll, demonstrating her growing fan support among viewers.

Her master evaluation score of 1,468 points reflected the panel's genuine admiration for her artistry. However, the combination of live text voting and accumulated scores ultimately placed her eighth overall with 2,016.40 total points — just outside the TOP5 cutoff.

A Dream Rekindled

When asked about reaching the semi-finals, Lee Elijah spoke candidly about her lifelong love of music. "I have loved music since I was young, and even as time passed, I never forgot that dream — I kept it close in my heart," she shared. "I am so glad I found the courage to pursue it at this point in my life."

She expressed deep gratitude toward the fans and viewers who supported her throughout the journey, pledging to repay their love through continued musical growth. "The fact that people embraced my music and cheered me on has given me a new dream," she added. "I want to become someone who can truly give back through music."

Road to the Finals

The five contestants who secured their spots in the Miss Trot 4 finals were Heo Chan-mi in first place, followed by Lee So-na, Hong Seong-yun, Yoon Tae-hwa, and Gil Ryeo-won. The final showdown is scheduled for March 5, where the four Miss Trot champions will be crowned during a live broadcast at 9:30 PM KST.

While Lee Elijah's Miss Trot 4 journey has come to an end, her semi-final performance served as a powerful reminder that the actress possesses genuine vocal talent that transcends her primary career. Industry observers note that her appearance on the show could open doors to a dual career path in both acting and music — a trajectory that has proven successful for several Korean entertainers in recent years.