[Japan–Korea Spotlight Again] Feature on Korean Enka Singers, Trot Singers
Trot, a genre loved in Korea just like K-pop.
Its style—shaped by the influence of Japanese enka and its own unique evolution—draws you in from the very first listen.
In recent years, audition shows have produced a remarkable number of trot stars.
In this article, we’ll introduce not only the singers who perform this kind of trot, but also many veteran masters who have long sung songs with a classic enka-like atmosphere.
Even the same singer can shift styles depending on the song, so start with a track you like and use it as a springboard to find your favorite artist!
- [Korean popular music] Popular trot songs. Masterpieces by trot singers.
- [Japan–Korea Spotlight Again] Feature on Korean Enka Singers, Trot Singers
- [Female Vocalists from Korea] Singers and Solo Artists Who Color the World of K-POP
- [Korean Oldies · Genre-Free] Songs from Korea you’ll want to listen to now—nostalgic Korean tracks
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
- [Solo Singer Special] K-POP & Korean Male Solo Artists
- [Exquisite Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads
- Hit songs that colored Korea's 1990s: Kayo (K-pop) pop music.
- Korean karaoke songs: beloved tunes from popular ballads to K-pop
- Tearjerker K-pop ballads: Korean songs that will make you cry
- K-pop that touches the heart: masterful ballads by Korean male artists
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- Trendy songs in South Korea: A roundup of hit songs
[Japan-Korea Spotlight Again] Korean Enka Singers, Trot Singer Feature (11–20)
At Andong StationJinson (Chinson)
Born in Jeollabuk-do in 1960, Jinseong made his debut as a singer in 1994.
His hit song “At Andong Station,” released in 2008, gained popularity a few years later and became one of the signature classics of trot, even being covered by singers like Kim Yong-ja and Lim Young-woong.
Even before the trot revival, he seems to have been well recognized among younger generations in his home country.
It really makes you want to visit when you go to Korea.
His singing style, highly compatible with Japanese enka, is marked by a resonant high tone unusual for male singers.
He continues to be very active in the Reiwa era, so be sure to check him out.
Four-beat (quadruple meter)Song Daegwan (Son Deguan)
Hailing from Jeongeup in North Jeolla Province, Song Dae-kwan has long been cherished as a leading figure in Korea’s trot music scene.
He made his debut in 1967 and continued on without ever losing his passion for music, even through difficult times.
After his breakthrough with “Haetdeulnal” in 1975, he released numerous classics such as “Four-Beat” and “Popular Song.” His singing style—an evocative, melancholic voice seamlessly blended with rhythmic delivery—has consistently resonated with everyday people.
Song Dae-kwan also made major contributions as president of the Korea Singers Association, leaving a significant mark on the music world.
We hope that fans of Japanese enka will also experience the charm of Korea’s traditional genre, trot.
FORM(폼미쳤다)YOUNGTAK (Yontaku)
Blessed with musical talent from an early age, YeonTak grew up in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
He debuted as a ballad singer in 2007, and after participating in several group projects, he took a new step as a trot singer in 2016.
With his unique style and assured vocal prowess, his appearance on the audition program Mr.
Trot propelled him to stardom.
He also shines as a producer, winning the Hot Trend Award and Best Songwriter Award at the 2020 Melon Music Awards.
In July 2022, he released his first full-length album, MMM, and drew about 90,000 attendees on his concert tour, underscoring his strong popularity.
Armed with a soaring voice and skilled piano performance, he is a multi-talented artist who effortlessly covers a wide range of genres from trot to ballads.
His heartfelt vocals and approachable personality have captured the hearts of music fans.
사랑의 밧줄Kimu Yonimu
Kim Young-im was born in 1965 in Seosi, North Jeolla Province.
She debuted in 1984 as a ballad singer with Magnolia.
Her signature songs include Love’s Rope (2003) and A Life Like Floating Weeds (2011), and she is known as a traditional trot singer.
In recent years, many may have seen her as a master on Tomorrow is Mr.
Trot 2 or on shows like King of Mask Singer.
Her voice gives a firm yet bright impression, conveying the clear, uplifting allure unique to a female singer.
고향역Rahunchi (Nafuna)
Enka singer Na Hoon-a was born in 1947 in Choryang-dong, Busan.
His 1972 hit “Gohyangeok” broadened his popularity nationwide.
He has also released CDs in Japan, such as “Minato Koi Uta.” While he projects a bold, rugged image and delivers a valiant singing voice, he also possesses a beautiful, clear tone.
In any case, listening to Na Hoon-a’s songs will fill you with strength from within.
Nicknamed the “Emperor of Trot,” he has led the Korean music scene.
Since resuming his activities in 2017, he has continued to release new works regularly even into the Reiwa era, making him a legendary artist with a long-standing career.
님과함께Namujin
Nam Jin is a singer born in 1946 from Mokpo, Jeollanam-do.
Alongside Na Hoon-a, his contemporary, he was one of the two towering figures and a representative singer of the 1970s.
His song “Kasmapuge,” famous in Japan through Ri Seong-ae’s cover and known as the first Korean song to become a hit there—with Kenichi Mikawa also covering it—was a major hit in the late 1960s.
If Na Hoon-a’s style is wild and valiant, Nam Jin’s exudes elegance and a sense of glamour.
Since he debuted as a pop singer, rather than being confined to pure enka, he may be better understood as incorporating elements of kayō pops.
In up-tempo numbers, his sparkling charm stands out even more.
수은등Kinrenko (Kimu Yonja)
Born in 1959, Kim Yonja is from what is now Gwangju Metropolitan City.
She made her debut as a singer in 1974 after winning TBC Korea’s “National New Star Song Contest.” Her 1981 album Bouquet of Songs became a mega-hit, selling over 3.6 million copies, and propelled her to stardom.
After debuting in Japan in 1988, she gained recognition there as well, appearing on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and receiving the Japan Record Award’s Planning Award.
From authentic enka to upbeat tracks like “사랑의 빙고” (Love Bingo) and “아모르 파티” (Amor Fati), Yonja masterfully delivers a resonant vibrato that leaves a pleasant afterglow.
She remains very active in both Japan and Korea in the Reiwa era, so be sure to experience the charm of enka through Yonja’s songs.
Companion (accompanying person)tae jineo (te jina)
Tae Jin-ah, an enka (trot) singer born in 1953 in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, is considered one of the “Four Kings of Trot.” The year after his debut as a singer, in 1973, he won the Newcomer Award with “The Blue Hill of Memories.” While serving as the 5th president of the Korea Singers Association, he mediated the incident involving the notice of termination of the exclusive contract of the popular girl group KARA.
His powerful, resonant voice is striking, and it seems his husky tone has grown more pronounced over the years.
In addition to producing numerous hits, he created the first-ever music video in trot with “Love Isn’t Something Just Anyone Can Do,” and delivered a new, danceable style of trot with songs like “Companion.” It’s no exaggeration to call him one of the artists who represent the Korean music scene.
He is a singer who deserves renewed attention in the Reiwa era.
할무니Kimu Hojun
Like Lim Young-woong, a nationally beloved singer, Kim Ho-joong is one of the artists currently leading the trot scene.
He frequently charts and enjoys great popularity in his home country.
After meeting a music teacher, he set his sights on becoming an opera singer—their mentor–disciple bond even inspired the film Paparotti, modeled after Ho-joong.
Due to financial hardship, he ventured into trot and drew significant attention, placing fourth on the 2020 show Mr.
Trot.
Ho-joong’s singing flows in smoothly and effortlessly, carrying a depth that conveys his life and character.
He can handle a wide range of genres, but he seems to radiate that depth even more in calmer, more subdued songs.
KasumapugeRi Seiai (I Son’e)
Ms.
Lee Seong-ae, born in 1952 and hailing from Seoul Special City, is a singer.
Although she won the MBC Top 10 Singers’ Female Newcomer Award in 1973, two years after her debut, she struggled to score hits with original songs in Korea and ventured into Japan.
Her breakthrough came in 1977 with the massive hit “Kasmapuge,” a cover of Minami Jin’s famous song, which led to great success.
This hit is considered a catalyst for popularizing Korean pop songs in Japan.
Lee Seong-ae’s voice is very approachable—husky yet pure—and her deeply expressive singing draws listeners in.