The Legend of Trot, Song Dae-kwan, Leaves Us… Passed Away at 78 🕊️
It is with a heavy heart that I greet you today.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of Song Dae-kwan, a legend in the world of trot, who passed away this morning due to a heart attack. He was 78 years old. After feeling unwell for several days, he was hospitalized and tragically suffered a sudden heart attack during treatment. This heartbreaking news has left many fans and fellow singers in deep sorrow... 😥😥😥
🎺 Song Dae-kwan’s Musical Journey Leading the Golden Era of Trot
Song Dae-kwan debuted in 1967 with the song "Kind-hearted Man", and went on to leave behind countless hits, becoming one of the key figures who led the golden era of trot.
His musical journey is not just a collection of hit songs but a story deeply etched into the history of Korean popular music.
'The Day the Sun Rises' - This song is not only one of Song Dae-kwan’s signature pieces but also a symbol of turning his life around. Singing about overcoming hard times and embracing new beginnings and hope, this song provided comfort and courage to many. At the time of its release, it gained widespread popularity and is credited with leading the revival of trot.
I personally loved the lyrics of The Day the Sun Rises.
The day the sun shines bright will come back again.
I came with dreams, I came here.
Sorrow and pain, move out of the way.
Nothing is impossible if you try.
The day the sun shines bright will come back again.
😥😥😥
'Four Beats' - With its upbeat rhythm and witty lyrics, this song was loved by people of all ages. The catchy chorus, "One, two, three, four beats", became a melody that everyone could sing along to, perfectly capturing Song Dae-kwan’s cheerful and approachable charm.
'One Train Ticket' - A heartfelt song that calmly portrays the pain of farewell, going beyond a simple breakup tune to deeply express life’s journey and emotions. Through this song, Song Dae-kwan was recognized for his authentic vocal ability, moving the hearts of many with its emotional depth.
Song Dae-kwan’s music transcended mere entertainment, offering emotional resonance and connection across generations and eras. His songs became a part of our collective lives, sharing joy and sorrow, hope and comfort. It's no exaggeration to say that Song Dae-kwan played a pivotal role in bringing trot to the forefront of popular music.
🎶 Song Dae-kwan’s Legacy as a Trot Singer
Living up to his nickname as the Godfather of Trot, Song Dae-kwan didn’t limit his influence to just being a singer; he made significant contributions to the development and popularization of trot.
He was also an active mentor to younger artists. His collaborations with Tae Jin-ah brought great joy to trot fans, and their delightful chemistry was frequently seen on television. Their "Golden Duo" became an iconic pair in the trot world, earning popularity across generations.
Moreover, Song Dae-kwan played a crucial role in modernizing and popularizing trot, introducing the genre to younger generations. While preserving the traditional structure of trot, he incorporated modern sensibilities into his music, leading the way for new changes in the genre.
Thanks to his efforts, trot evolved from being viewed as "old music" to becoming a genre enjoyed by all generations. Particularly, through trot reality shows and variety programs, he brought the charm and emotion of trot to the masses, playing a key role in establishing trot as mainstream popular music.
Song Dae-kwan’s journey goes beyond his success as a singer; he holds a special place as a pioneer who redefined and advanced the genre of trot.
🕊️ A Wave of Mourning from Fans and Fellow Artists
The sudden news of Song Dae-kwan’s passing has left many fans and fellow singers in profound grief.
Tae Jin-ah, in particular, shared heartfelt words:
"I heard the sad news of Song Dae-kwan hyung's passing late, and my heart is truly broken. He was a senior I was so close to that I called him my life companion."
"Hyung loved the mentaiko cream pasta at our cafe and often came with his wife to enjoy it. Though we hadn’t seen each other recently, we spoke on the phone just a month ago, wishing each other a Happy New Year. We even talked about doing a dinner show together in May…" (Excerpt from an article by Park Da-young, Money Today)
Fans both domestically and internationally are also continuing the wave of mourning on social media, sharing Song Dae-kwan’s music and photos under hashtags like #SongDaeKwan_Forever and #Legend_of_Trot to honor his memory.
🔊️ Song Dae-kwan, Forever in Our Hearts
Song Dae-kwan’s music will remain with us, continuing to deliver hope, courage, and emotion. His warm voice and sincere lyrics will forever live in our hearts.
💌 What is your favorite Song Dae-kwan song? Share your memories and stories about his music in the comments. If there’s any news I’ve missed, please let me know so I can update this post quickly.
May he rest in peace. 🕊️
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Kkum-eul an-go wat-dan-da nae-ga wat-dan-da
(I came carrying dreams, I have arrived)
Seul-peum-do goe-ro-um-do mo-du mo-du bi-kyeo-ra
(Sorrow and pain, move out of the way)
An doe-neun il eop-dan-da no-ryeok-ha-myeon-eun
(Nothing is impossible if you try)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Ttwigo-ttwigo ttwineun mo-mi-ra goe-ro-woop-ji-man
(Though my body keeps running and it’s exhausting)
Him-gyeo-woon na-ui in-saeng gu-reum geo-chi-go
(The heavy clouds in my difficult life will clear)
San-tteut-ha-ge mal-geun nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(And a fresh, bright day will return)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Kkum-eul an-go wat-dan-da nae-ga wat-dan-da
(I came carrying dreams, I have arrived)
Seul-peum-do goe-ro-um-do mo-du mo-du bi-kyeo-ra
(Sorrow and pain, move out of the way)
An doe-neun il eop-dan-da no-ryeok-ha-myeon-eun
(Nothing is impossible if you try)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Ttwigo-ttwigo ttwineun mo-mi-ra goe-ro-woop-ji-man
(Though my body keeps running and it’s exhausting)
Him-gyeo-woon na-ui in-saeng gu-reum geo-chi-go
(The heavy clouds in my difficult life will clear)
San-tteut-ha-ge mal-geun nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(And a fresh, bright day will return)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)
Jjaeng-ha-go hae-tteul nal do-ra-on-dan-da
(The day the sun shines bright will come back again)