Joseph Hwang
Popular K-pop can be classified into three main genres: Hip Hop/Dance, Sentimental Ballads, and Trot. A narrow definition of K-pop refers to music centered around idol groups. On the other hand, K-pop music can be divided into music by idol groups and Trot, often referred to as adult music. This extreme classification may apply only to the most profitable genres. However, there are instances in which idol group members become Trot singers, so it’s not an incorrect categorization.
Let’s explore “trot” as an important part of K-pop.
1. Definition of “Trot”
Korean trot is characterized by its musical formality. It features a formalized, repetitive rhythmic pattern, a pentatonic scale, and vocalizations with vibrations influenced by Korean folk songs.
It is claimed that the name “trot” comes from the American dance tune “foxtrot,” but the only similarity between the two types of music is that they are both two-beat styles and are otherwise unrelated. There are many differences between the American foxtrot and the Korean trot in terms of musical form and characteristics.
2. Relationship to Japanese Enka
It has been argued that Korean trot resembles Japanese enka in its external form and that they are related. Of course, any culture or art form is constantly influenced by its neighbors, so we can’t rule out a connection between trot and enka. Strikingly, there are claims that Korea was influenced by Japanese enka and that Japan was influenced by Korean trot. It is said that in Korea, Korean trot was affected by the Japanese colonial era. Then, in the 1980s and 1990s, the influence of pop and rock music was mixed in, allowing Korean trot to take hold. In Japan, Korean melodies were introduced long ago, and enka has been influenced by them.
There is still much disagreement about which theory is correct. However, both Korean trot and Japanese enka have one thing in common: they are popular music that the general public can sing along to.
3. Highly Polarized Phenomenon
According to an October 17, 2020, article in South Korea’s Hankyoreh newspaper, 60 to 70 K-pop girl groups debut each year, with a 0.001% chance of success. If we extrapolate to include boy groups, we’re supposed to estimate that more than 100 K-pop idol groups will debut annually. Their average lifespan is around seven years. The cumulative number of idol groups that debut and remain active for seven years is not small. If the average number of members in a group is four, we can imagine how many young artists come and go. Add in the trainees who didn’t debut and their parents, and we can confirm how many people are involved in this industry.
Idol group members who don’t make it to stardom are torn between continuing their careers and considering their future success. Once they’ve made their debut and gotten their faces and names into the mainstream media, they may turn to social media creators like TikTokers. It’s a realistic choice for their future, as it helps them avoid the overwhelming competition of the K-pop idol group world.
Alternatively, they can switch from their idol group experience to become trot singers. There is an invisible, high barrier between the K-pop idol group market and the trot market. This means that changing positions is a difficult choice. But why do they make this decision?
4. Festival Markets and Competition Programs
“Money” is the main reason why artists from idol groups turn into trot artists. As of October 16, 2020, there were 968 local festivals by local governments in South Korea. The annual local festival plan for 2024, released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of South Korea, lists 1,170 festivals. Almost all of these municipal festivals invite trot singers. This is because trot is the most common and popular music genre among the public. There are stages throughout the year where trot artists can meet the public without having to organize solo concerts.
The cultural reason behind this is that trot is the most common music genre among the Korean public, and the popularity of TV contest programs has led to an explosion in demand. Rather than struggle in the idol group world, where the future is unclear due to excessive competition and success is not guaranteed, more and more former idol group artists are joining the genre to appeal to the public with a fresh image. The more accessible and proven stage is becoming a breakthrough for former idol group artists.
* References and Quotations:
https://namu.wiki/w/%ED%8A%B8%EB%A1%9C%ED%8A%B8
https://www.mk.co.kr/news/world/9729968
https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/culture/culture_general/966137.html
https://www.khan.co.kr/life/life-general/article/202306221415001
https://www.mcst.go.kr/kor/s_culture/festival/festivalList.jsp
https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%8C%80%ED%95%9C%EB%AF%BC%EA%B5%AD%EC%9D%98_%EC%B6%95%EC%A0%9C_%EB%AA%A9%EB%A1%9D#:~:text=%EC%A7%80%EC%97%AD%EB%B3%84%20%EC%B6%95%EC%A0%9C%20%EB%AA%A9%EB%A1%9D%202020%EB%85%84%2010%EC%9B%94%2016%EC%9D%BC%20%EA%B8%B0%EC%A4%80,%EA%B0%9C%EC%B5%9C%EB%90%9C%20%EC%B6%95%EC%A0%9C%20%EB%AA%A9%EB%A1%9D%EC%9D%B4%EB%8B%A4.%20%EC%B4%9D%20968%EA%B0%9C%EC%9D%98%20%EC%B6%95%EC%A0%9C%EA%B0%80%20%EC%9E%88%EB%8B%A4.
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