Home / Arts and Entertainment / AI Revives Trot: K-Pop Fusion Goes Viral
AI Revives Trot: K-Pop Fusion Goes Viral
22 Feb
Summary
- Generative AI transforms K-pop hits into trot music.
- AI-generated trot videos gain hundreds of thousands of views.
- Debate arises over copyright and the essence of trot music.
The traditional South Korean music genre, trot, is seeing a renewed wave of popularity, largely fueled by generative AI technology. Content creators are ingeniously transforming current K-pop hits into trot-style melodies, often accompanied by AI-generated visuals of artists in iconic trot attire. These AI-enhanced trot remixes have quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of views across platforms like Instagram, Line, and YouTube, capturing the attention of new audiences.
Trot, which emerged in the 1930s, is characterized by its emotional depth, often expressing "han"—a complex feeling of sorrow and longing tied to Korean history. Musically, it features minor scales and a distinctive vocal style with vibrato and note-bending techniques.
Despite facing challenges from modern music trends, trot has seen revivals, notably through reality TV audition programs that have produced stars like Lim Young-woong. However, a debate is emerging regarding copyright concerns and whether these AI-driven reinterpretations truly capture the essence of trot, or if they are merely a novelty driven by technological curiosity.
