Summary
A traditional South Korean music genre called trot is becoming popular again thanks to social media. This genre, overshadowed by K-pop for years, is being revived by content creators using technology to remix songs, despite some criticism over copyright and authenticity.
Key Facts
- Trot is a traditional South Korean music genre named after the American "foxtrot" dance.
- Trot was popular before K-pop became dominant and produced Korea's first music stars.
- Social media and generative AI are helping to revive trot by transforming K-pop songs into trot-style tunes.
- These remixed songs have gained hundreds of thousands of views on platforms like Instagram, Line, and YouTube.
- There are concerns about copyright and whether these new versions stay true to traditional trot music.
- Trot songs often express emotions such as sorrow and longing, using a specific vocal technique and musical style.
- The genre first emerged in the 1930s, influenced by Korean, Japanese, and Western music.
- A new generation of trot singers, like Lim Young-woong, is gaining popularity through televised competitions.
