The 2026 Lunar New Year holiday saw a resounding victory for KBS with its ‘Luck-Filled Trot Grand Gala,’ a televised spectacle that captivated audiences across South Korea. The special, broadcast on February 17th, 2026, drew impressive ratings, solidifying KBS’s position as a leading force in the trot music genre. The program’s success was driven by a stellar lineup of performers, interactive elements, and the charismatic hosting of Lee Chan-won, proving once again the enduring appeal of trot music to a broad demographic.
According to ratings data from Nielsen Korea, the KBS 2TV special achieved a peak minute rating of 9.8%, narrowly missing the 10% mark but still representing the highest viewership for any terrestrial program on the day. Part 2 of the broadcast recorded 7.9%, while Part 1 garnered 6.7% on a nationwide household basis. These figures surpassed the ratings of the 2025 ‘Trot Grand Gala,’ demonstrating a year-over-year increase in popularity and confirming the holiday season as prime time for trot programming on KBS (Chosun.com).
Central to the show’s success was Lee Chan-won, who returned as the sole MC. His expertise in trot music, coupled with his engaging and witty hosting style, proved to be a key ingredient in attracting viewers of all ages. Lee skillfully guided the audience through the evening’s performances and interactive segments, creating a sense of shared enjoyment and good fortune. As he stated during the opening remarks, the program was designed to “shower luck on everyone present and everyone watching at home,” according to Newsen.
A Lineup Bridging Generations
The ‘2026 Luck-Filled Trot Grand Gala’ distinguished itself with an “unprecedented lineup” that brought together established stars and rising talents from across the Korean trot scene. The program featured performances by veteran artists like Kim Yeon-ja, often referred to as the ‘trot queen,’ and Song Ga-in, alongside popular performers such as Park Seo-jin, Ahn Sung-hoon, and Kim Yong-bin. A significant moment of the evening was the debut performance of a new song by Park Ji-hyun, which immediately generated buzz online and contributed to the show’s peak ratings.
The show’s concept revolved around “luck pouches” (bokjumeoni), each containing a different type of fortune. This interactive element, combined with collaborative stages, kept viewers engaged and fostered a sense of participation. As described by Star News, the show was a “new concept interactive trot show where enthusiastic performances and audience cheers were key to delivering ‘luck.’”
Beyond Trot: Stray Kids Bring K-Culture to the Lunar New Year
While the ‘Luck-Filled Trot Grand Gala’ dominated ratings for traditional music programming, KBS also offered a different flavor of Lunar New Year entertainment with “Seolbim Soul Beam Stray Kids: Waking Up in the Joseon Era.” This variety show, featuring the globally successful K-pop group Stray Kids, blended modern K-pop with traditional Korean culture. The program, which aired on February 16th, 2026, saw Stray Kids transported back in time to the Joseon era, creating a unique and lighthearted experience for viewers. The show drew significant interest, with over 10,000 applications received for the limited 400 available audience spots, demonstrating Stray Kids’ widespread popularity.
KBS representatives expressed gratitude for the overwhelming audience support, stating their commitment to continuing to deliver high-quality music content that appeals to a national audience. The success of both the ‘Luck-Filled Trot Grand Gala’ and “Seolbim Soul Beam Stray Kids” underscores KBS’s ability to cater to diverse tastes during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Looking ahead, KBS is expected to continue leveraging its position as a leading broadcaster to deliver innovative and engaging programming that celebrates Korean culture, and music. The continued success of the ‘Trot Grand Gala’ format suggests it will remain a staple of the Lunar New Year television schedule for years to arrive.
What are your thoughts on the blending of traditional and modern entertainment during the Lunar New Year? Share your comments below and let us realize what you enjoyed most about this year’s holiday programming!