[Sportschosun Jung Bit] Trot fandom is now heading to the golf course, moving beyond cheering from the sidelines.
SBS Life's new-style golf variety show, 'The Trot Fandom Golf Championship' (hereinafter 'Trot Fandom Golf Championship'), drew stronger-than-expected interest during recruitment and is now signaling full-scale competition.
The 'Trot Fandom Golf Championship' closed applications on June 21 with a total of 34 teams, exceeding its target and proving the level of interest. In the end, 25 fandoms of trot stars will advance to the main stage and compete for the title.
The recruitment process, conducted through the official platform Star Planet, saw fierce competition not only between fandoms but also within them. Fandoms of Song Ga-in, Kim Ho-joong, Geum Jan-di, Kim Yong-bin, Ryu Won-jeong, Park Sung-on, and Jang Han-byul each had multiple teams apply, leading to an internal contest that was almost like a preliminary round for the main event.
The average age of participants was 58.3, and those in their 50s and 60s accounted for 73.2% of the total. The high participation rate from active seniors, who are both key consumers in the trot market and golf enthusiasts, drew attention. Participants came from across the country, including the Seoul metropolitan area, Yeongnam, Honam, and Chungcheong, creating a nationwide fandom showdown.
The competition will follow a participatory concept in which fans directly support their stars and help create results. The winning team will receive 10 million won in prize money, along with a chance for the singer they support to appear on a special stage of 'The Trot Show' and other benefits, including fan club advertising featuring both the star and the fan club.
The main matches will begin in July at Flamingo Country Club in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, and will be held in a nine-hole match play format. The event will be released sequentially through SBS Golf, SBS Golf2, SBS Life, and YouTube channels, meeting fans and viewers over the course of about five months. The final round will be held in October on a special fairway stage together with 'The Trot Show Park Concert,' bringing the tournament to a close.
Production company Studio Life said, "We are grateful for the passionate interest and support from trot fandoms across the country," adding, "We will deliver a special experience through new fandom content that combines competition and celebration."
'The Trot Fandom Golf Championship,' presented by Korea Gift, Clounge Mall, Caddytalk, Flamingo Country Club, and Terra Zero, will release its detailed schedule through the Star Planet app and the official SBS Golf website.
Jung Bit, rightlight@sportschosun.com
