Song Ga-in's 'Geomungo' Becomes a Go-To Song for Male Trot Singers

Song Ga-in's 'Geomungo' has become a staple victory song for male trot singers in competitions.

On the October 6th broadcast of TV CHOSUN's 'Golden Friday', iconic stages from the history of trot auditions were revisited. Among them, Nam Seung-min chose Song Ga-in's signature song 'Geomungo', which was also a legendary performance by Park Ji-hyun in 'Mr. Trot 2'. This selection has reignited interest in the original track.

'Geomungo' is a track from Song Ga-in's second studio album 'Dream'. Despite being originally a female vocal song, it has been consistently reinterpreted by young male trot singers, becoming a popular choice in competitions. The song's traditional Korean musical sentiment, wide vocal range, and emotional depth make it an ideal piece to showcase vocal prowess.

A notable example is Park Ji-hyun, who secured the runner-up position in 'Mr. Trot 2'. His rendition of 'Geomungo', characterized by his refreshing vocal style, captivated audiences during the fourth round of the finals. The performance has amassed over 5.27 million views on the official YouTube channel as of the 12th, drawing in numerous fans and being hailed as a legendary stage.

Hwang Min-ho, another 'Mr. Trot 2' alum, also performed 'Geomungo' on TV CHOSUN's 'Tuesday Night is Good' and KBS 2TV's 'Immortal Songs'. His 'Tuesday Night' performance video has garnered over 1.27 million views on YouTube, sparking significant interest. Additionally, young male trot singers like Min Soo-hyun from MBN's 'Burning Rose', Kim Tae-woong from 'Korea-Japan Top Ten Show', Gwak Young-kwang from 'Current King 2', and the duet of Kim Joon-soo and Choi Soo-ho in '2025 Korea-Japan King Battle' have all chosen 'Geomungo' to showcase their unique styles in various competitions.

Song Ga-in, who rose to fame as the first winner of 'Miss Trot', has established herself as a leading trot star from audition programs. Her music, rooted in traditional Korean sentiment, has garnered widespread love across generations and genders. Songs like 'Geomungo', 'Mother Arirang', 'Moonlight Promise', and 'Seoul's Moon' have become staple repertoires in various competitions, solidifying their status as hit tracks.

In this trend, Song Ga-in's songs are evolving beyond mere hits to become intergenerational repertoires on trot competition stages. Young male trot singers are using 'Geomungo' to demonstrate their vocal skills and individuality, further highlighting Song Ga-in's ongoing influence in the trot music scene.

Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr