Aside from the Ok-pop ecosystem everyone knows and love, there’s a thriving trot trade in Korea that the majority international listeners could by no means be uncovered to. I don’t usually write about trot music, because it’s its personal style with distinctive quirks and huge historical past. Nevertheless, typically a track crosses over in a manner that embraces Ok-pop tropes.
Youngtak has been working within the trot trade for practically a decade, although he made his debut as a balladeer a lot earlier. Then, now we have the enduring Kim Yon-ja, most beloved by fashionable audiences for her trot-dance crossover Amor Fati that also highlights end-of-year celebrations often. The 2 mix their skills for brand spanking new single Juicy Go (주시고), which is extra Gangnam Fashion than conventional trot. It gained’t be for everybody, but it surely’s a ton of goofy enjoyable for these prepared to embrace its charms.
Whereas there are hints of the trot sound right here and there all through Juicy Go, it’s in the best way that first and second era Ok-pop retained these parts previous to the trade’s elevated westernization. Extra usually, Youngtak performs in a melodic rap type favored by many idols and pop performers. The verses are pure PSY with a little bit of Tremendous Junior thrown in for good measure. Then, Yon-ja is available in to lend her commanding voice to the track’s foolish hook. I like how they carry out this novelty observe as if it’s an important piece of music ever recorded. That’s camp, and lets the listener in on the joke. That is legitimately extra enjoyable than many present idol releases.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B