All You Need to Know About the Korean Music Genre, Trot
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Trot, called Teuroteu in Korean, often referred to as Ppongjjak because of its peculiar background rhythm, is a popular genre of Korean music. It uses a repetitive rhythm and simple melody that makes it easy for almost anyone to sing along to.
The word trot has been in use since the 1980s but in the 1920’s it was referred to as yuhaeng-changga. Yuhaeng means trend, fashion, and popular while foreign folk songs introduced to Koreans in the 19th century and adapted with Korean lyrics were called changga. Other names that have been given to the Trot genre of music include seongin-gayo meaning "music for adults," jeontong-gayo meaning “a traditional popular song,” and daejung-gayo meaning “music for the public.” Daejung-gayo is now a popular term for all sorts of music.
Trot may appear to be a purely Korean genre of music, but it has actually been influenced by various countries. Originating in the 1900s, Trot music was influenced by sounds from Western Countries and Japan. Currently, there is a long-standing debate on the origins of the Trot but, with the use of ‘Han’ in Trot songs, Koreans have truly localized Trot. Han is a concept of emotion, something truly unique to Koreans, and although it doesn’t have a definitive meaning in English, it is often defined as resentment and sorrow but with tinges of hope within sadness or anger.
How is Trot different from K-pop?
K-Pop or Korean Pop is a genre that came into being in the 1990s when Korea started developing and youngsters were in a happier place, with groups like H.O.T, SECHSKIES, S.E.S, and Fin.K.L. With supernova groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, K-Pop has found a foot in international space and has become what it is today. Trot, on the other hand, has existed for around 100 years but may have a limited audience outside of Korea.
Trot is composed in a two-beat rhythm, known as the duple meter. There is a basic melody with repetitive rhythm patterns which may or may not be true for the Pop genre. Lower tones are mostly sung with vibrato whereas higher tones with a flexing technique called Kkeok-ki or breaking voice.
K-Pop focuses on more than just your ability to sing. You need to look a certain way, behave a certain way, and be able to perform high-octane choreography while singing. K-Pop Idols also have a shelf life, with a majority of idols being in the age category of 18-30. Trot, on the other hand, focuses more on the artistry than the artist. It has little to no choreography and emphasizes your ability to sing, especially on high notes. Trot singers are usually in the age category of 40+ and have relatively much less pressure to look a certain way.
Although there are many soloists present in the K-Pop scene today, K-Pop, in a larger sense, is a game of groups. There are positions assigned to every member of the group such as the leader, lead vocalist, main vocalist, main rapper, lead rapper, and visual. Trot is mainly performed individually, or at max duets, and often incorporates an individual’s singing style in composition plus a band orchestra and dancers.
K-Pop has and continues to deliver on multiple themes like high-school romance, self-love, girl crush, and many more. Trot, though, mainly revolves around themes of love and parting, longing for a sweet home, and being cheated in love. The lyrics are often emotional which is why Koreans easily become happy, sad, or excited depending on the Trot song they are singing.
These days you will see a mix of Konglish or English and even other languages like Spanish in K-Pop. However, Trot's lyrics are purely Korean, which could explain its limited reach due to the language barrier.
Trot mostly finds its audience in baby boomers and retirees. And rightly so, as themes like love and parting, yearning, and regret often understandably resonate with the older generation. The generation that built the Korean economy feels Trot songs bring out the emotional quotient in them.
The Decline in Popularity
Trot faced a decline in popularity, not once but twice. First in the 1970s and 80s where Rock and Folk music gained popularity. Social movements and the development of Korea made people hopeful about the future. Thus, a genre like Trot that focused on emotions like regret, yearning, sadness, and misery was no longer required. There was also a second decline, which was in the '90s when K-Pop rose to prominence.
Trot, however, did not completely fade away from the Korean music industry. This was due to a persistent demand for sorrowful songs by the elderly and some unwavering Trot singers who kept producing songs.
The Revival
The 2000s sought a revival in Trot music as up until then, Trot mostly had middle-aged singers. This changed when Jang Yoon-Jeong who is often called “Queen of Trot”, released the single "어머나!" (Oh My Goodness!) at the age of 24. Following in her footsteps, singers like Hong Jin-young, Park Hyun-bin, and Park Sang-cheon popularized the Trot genre again.
Trot was also picked by some K-Pop artists with Trot-style songs being released throughout the years. Daesung from BIG BANG, under the name D-Lite released the popular “날봐, 귀순!” (Look at me, Gwisun!) in 2008 written by fellow member G-Dragon. The same year, Super Junior created a sub-unit Super Junior-T, T standing for Trot, and released a song called “로꾸거!!!” (Rokkugeo!!!).
In 2016, BTS sub-unit SOPE (Suga and J-Hope) performed a song called “Otsukare” at BTS Japan Official Fanmeeting Vol.3. In 2019, MONSTA X’s MINHYUK released “Ongshimi” ft. JOOHONEY.
Trot Today
TV shows like Mr. Trot and Miss Trot have achieved record viewership and are a testament to the re-popularization of Trot. The emergence of young singers in the Trot genre has left an impression on the youth of Korea who have now discovered a liking for this genre.
Trot is often enjoyed on Korean variety shows and many Trot singers are usually invited as guests. Entertainers like Yoo Jae-suk, who are liked by almost every generation in Korea, have also helped popularize Trot amongst youth.
The list of chart buster Trot songs is quite big. But many songs like “Elevator” by Lim Young Woong, “Amor Fati” by Kim Yoen Ja, “Love Battery” by Hong Jin-young, and “Jjiniya” by Young Tak are popular today, even with the younger generation. Young Tak went viral after his performance of “Jjiniya” at the MelOn Music Awards in 2020 as the song includes the word ‘Jin,’ the name of a member of BTS. In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2022, BTS’ JIN even mentioned that it was the one song he couldn’t resist dancing to when he heard it. “My name comes out so much that it’s fun,” he exclaimed.
“Emperor of Trot,” Na Hoon-a, known for songs like “테스형” (Teseuhyeong), “Hongsi,” and “Somecheonpo Lady,” made an appearance in KBS special concert for Chuseok in 2020, after 15 years. According to Nielsen Korea, the concert recorded a viewership of 29%. The popularity of the concert was unexpected and KBS had to release a “Na Hoon-a Special” which featured behind-the-scenes concert footage. Tickets to Na Hoon-a’s concert are one of the most sought-after gifts for older parents.