Mnet ‘Produce 101’ Heo Chan-mi. TV Chosun ‘Miss Trot 4’ Heo Chan-mi.

Heo Chan-mi is a singer who has faced more eliminations than debuts. Starting in Girls’ Generation’s debut lineup, she went through four audition stages, and multiple debuts fell through. Even so, she did not leave the stage.

■ 2009 Girls’ Generation debut lineup, first elimination

Source=SNS X.

Heo Chan-mi’s beginning was a ‘debut lineup that never debuted.’

She was selected as a trainee at SM Entertainment at a young age and drew early attention. Though she was a non-public trainee, she garnered so much notice that a fan cafe was created, and she also took part in the Girls’ Generation debut project. However, she was not included in the final debut lineup. Her young age and short training period were cited as reasons.

In 2009, at age 17, she left SM Entertainment, bringing her first attempt to a close.

■ 2010 first debut with Coed School, then a halt

Heo Chan-mi during her time in the group Coed School (stage name Byeolbit Chanmi). Photo=Core Contents Media.

She succeeded in making her first debut as a member of the co-ed group Coed School. Debuting with ‘Too Late,’ she made her presence known on music and variety shows during promotions for the follow-up track ‘Bbiribbom Bberibbom.’ It was her first stage after a long trainee period, but group activities were halted due to controversies involving some members.

Heo Chan-mi during her Five Dolls days. Photo=Core Contents Media.

She then continued activities with the unit group Five Dolls, achieving a spot in the Melon year-end chart Top 100 with ‘Ireokung Jeoreokung.’ However, due to health issues and more, she could not continue, and in 2012 she terminated her contract with the agency and left the team.

■ 2016 ‘Produce 101,’ the competition begins again

Heo Chan-mi during Mnet ‘Produce 101’ (Photo=Mnet).

She returned to the public eye through Mnet’s audition program ‘Produce 101.’ On the stage she reached after a long hiatus, she drew attention for her steady vocals and performance.

However, as the broadcast continued, she found herself at the center of unexpected controversy. Facial expressions shown when looking at competing trainees and interview remarks were repeatedly highlighted, sparking debate over her attitude, and in particular, the emphasis on her background as a former Girls’ Generation debut-lineup trainee fueled varied interpretations and criticism among viewers. In the end, she finished the program in 26th place, failing to make the debut lineup.

■ 2017 elimination on ‘MIXNINE,’ and in 2020 a return to the stage as a soloist

Heo Chan-mi during JTBC survival program ‘MIXNINE ’ (Photo=JTBC).

After ‘Produce 101,’ Heo Chan-mi prepared to re-debut with the group High Color, but her team’s debut was derailed when she was eliminated on JTBC’s ‘MIXNINE.’ It was another moment when a debut opportunity fell through.

On July 23, 2020, ten years after her debut, she released a solo album under her own name and began activities as a solo artist. It was a new start found after many setbacks.

■ 2021 switch to trot, a new beginning

‘Miss Trot 2’ Heo Chan-mi profile (Photo=TV Chosun).

After starting her solo activities, she appeared the same year on TV Chosun’s ‘Miss Trot 2’ as a contestant in the idol division. With her performance of Oh Gi-taek’s ‘Father’s Youth,’ she earned an all-heart and drew attention, and she made the final Top 14.

She then continued activities by appearing on programs such as ‘Tuesday Night Is Good,’ and in 2021 she released the digital single ‘Chanmi’s Trot: Haeundae Night Sea,’ transitioning to a trot singer.

Even amid repeated setbacks, Heo Chan-mi did not leave the stage, and once again opened a new path under her own name.

■ 2026 ‘Miss Trot 4,’ fall seven times, rise eight Heo Chan-mi

TV Chosun survival program ‘Miss Trot 4’ screen.

Heo Chan-mi stood on an audition stage again by competing on TV Chosun’s ‘Miss Trot 4.’

She drew attention with a stage that reinterpreted Namjin’s ‘With You’ as rock trot, and by being chosen as the Round 1 ‘Jin,’ she achieved the best result of her audition challenges.

Even when she falls, she rises again to stand on stage; under the nickname ‘Trot Otteogi,’ she is once again proving her name.