Have you people living in Korea ever heard trot music? In general, it is believed that trot music can be heard in places where older people gather, such as traditional markets or highway rest areas. Although it is a little different from current K-POP, trot music has been loved in Korea for a long time and is still very popular.
If you ask Korean people, I think many will say that trot music was popular in the past generation. Because of this, you might think it's just a generation gap. However, trot music contains stories from Korea's past, and through this, I think we can gain a deeper understanding of Korea's modern history. So this time, let’s learn more about Korean trot music!
Introduction to trot music
Trot music is one of Korea's popular music genres and is known to have been influenced by Japanese enka and American country music. Trot was Korea's mainstream music from the 1920s to the 1970s, and has been loved by many generations ever since. Trot is characterized by simple, repetitive melodies and rhythms, and lyrics that can be easily memorized. Trot has many songs that express various emotions such as love, separation, longing, and hope. Trot is also a music that harmoniously combines elements of Korean traditional and modern music, and reflects Korean sentiment and culture well.
Source: Trot, connecting generations and comforting the times - Sisa Journal (sisajournal.com)
Trot music is sung by many singers, listened to, and enjoyed by many people. Trot music has changed and developed over time, and recently, new generation trot singers are showing new styles and charms. Trot music is also introduced and promoted through various media such as TV programs, radio, and YouTube. Trot music is a representative music genre in Korea, receiving attention and love from many people.
history
Trot music was the mainstream music in Korea from the 1920s to the 1970s, and is known to have been influenced by Japanese enka and American country music.
Trot is characterized by simple, repetitive melodies and rhythms, and lyrics that can be easily memorized. Trot is also a music that harmoniously combines elements of Korean traditional and modern music, and reflects Korean sentiment and culture well.
Source: Trot - Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (aks.ac.kr)
Trot was called a popular song or popular song during the Japanese colonial period, and domestic creation began in earnest through Enka's translation and adaptation of the song. Trot, along with new folk songs, formed the two major categories of popular music during the Japanese colonial period.
Even after liberation, Trot was criticized as a Japanese-style song, but songs depicting the pain of the Korean War and the sorrow of displaced people became popular. Representative singers included Lee Mi-ja, Hyeon-in, Nam In-su, and Lee Hae-yeon.
Trot has solidified as a genre since the 1960s, and has earned the nickname “Bongjak.” Trot developed further as it entered the era of LPs. Nam Jin, Na Hoon-ah, Moon Ju-ran, Jeong Sisters, Lee Sisters, and Eunbangul Sisters were popular.
Trot dominated the Korean music industry in the 1970s when new singers Nam Jin and Na Hoon-ah formed a rival duo. Trot was breaking away from orthodoxy and being subdivided into various musical elements.
Trot declined after the 1980s as various genres of music such as standard pop, folk, rock, and dance gained strength, but it continued to maintain its vitality through mixing with new styles. Choi Seong-su, Cho Yong-pil, Cho Yong-nam, Lee Seon-hee, Jo Kwan-woo, Jang Yun-jeong, and Hong Jin-young were singers who continued trot music.
Trot music is a representative music genre in Korea, receiving attention and love from many people.
