Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Lim Young-woong is one of a new generation of trot singersByFan Wang and Yuna Ku, BBC Korean, SeoulPublished21 February 2026 This traditional South Korean music genre gets its name from the American "foxtrot", which shares the trot's distinctive two-beat rhythm. It was popular for decades and produced the country's first musical superstars, but has more recently struggled to compete with newer, trendier sounds, particularly with the global rise of K-pop. But trot is making headlines again – this time thanks to social media. Korean content creators have started using generative AI to transform popular K-pop songs into buttery, catchy trot-style tunes, paired with AI-generated images of idols in glittering suits and teased hair – the iconic look of classic trot singers. These videos have racked up hundreds of thousands of views on social media platforms like Instagram, Line and YouTube.
Published: February 21, 2026 11:06 pm
Source: BBC — Read original