Song Ga-in’s “Geomungo-ya” has solidified its position as a go-to song for male trot singers in singing competitions.
On the recent broadcast of TV CHOSUN’s “Geumtaneun Friday” (Golden Friday), stages that created a buzz in trot audition history were revisited. Nam Seung-min’s selection of Song Ga-in’s signature song, “Geomungo-ya,” also famously performed by Park Ji-hyun on “Mr. Trot 2,” drew significant attention to the original song after the show.
“Geomungo-ya,” a track from Song Ga-in’s second full-length album, “Mong (Dream),” has become a popular choice for young male trot singers to reinterpret in competitions, despite the original being a female vocal piece. Its structure, which incorporates Korean traditional musical sentiments and deep emotional lines, while showcasing a wide vocal range, powerful vocals, and delicate emotional expression, makes it a suitable stage song to prove one’s singing abilities.
A prime example is Park Ji-hyun, who finished as the “Sun (善)” runner-up on “Mr. Trot 2.” Park Ji-hyun’s unique, refreshing rendition of “Geomungo-ya” delivered a powerful immersion upon its release during the fourth round of the competition. To date, the official YouTube video has surpassed 5.27 million views (as of [Date]), becoming a legendary performance that has attracted many fans.
Hwang Min-ho, also from “Mr. Trot 2,” showcased “Geomungo-ya” on music competition programs such as TV CHOSUN’s “Tuesday is a Good Night” (“Hwabam”) and KBS 2TV’s “Immortal Songs.” His “Hwabam” performance video garnered over 1.27 million views on the official YouTube channel, generating significant buzz. Furthermore, Min Su-hyun from MBN’s “Burning Rose Troop,” Kim Tae-woong from “Korea-Japan Top 10 Show,” Kwak Young-gwang from “Active Singer King 2,” and Kim Jun-su and Choi Su-ho’s duet stage at “2025 Korea-Japan Singing King War” have all consistently chosen “Geomungo-ya” in various competition programs, revealing their unique styles.
Song Ga-in, who rose to fame as the winner of the first “Miss Trot,” has established herself as a leading trot star produced by audition programs. Song Ga-in’s unique musical world, based on Korean traditional musical sentiments, has received widespread love across generations and genders. Songs like “Geomungo-ya,” “Mom Arirang,” “Wolhagayag,” and “Seoul’s Moon” have become staples in various competition programs and established themselves as signature hit songs.
In this trend, Song Ga-in’s songs are expanding beyond simple hit songs to become repertoires that connect generations on trot competition stages. In particular, young male trot singers are using “Geomungo-ya” as a stage to prove their singing skills and individuality, once again demonstrating the ongoing influence of Song Ga-in’s music on the trot scene.
