Park Seo-jin Dominates Japanese Stage in '2025 Korea-Japan King of Trot Battle', Wins 58-42

Korean trot singer Park Seo-jin has made a spectacular debut on the MBN entertainment program '2025 Korea-Japan King of Trot Battle,' overwhelming his Japanese opponent in the preliminary round.

This new competition, launched to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Japan, features the top seven trot representatives from each country facing off. The preliminary round involved head-to-head matches between artists of the same rank from both nations. A major highlight was the clash between Korea's number one, Park Seo-jin, and Japan's number one, Yudai Takenaka.

Park Seo-jin declared his intention to show 'how to enjoy the stage' and delivered a performance featuring his signature *janggu* (Korean drum) playing. His rendition of 'Bae Tteoeora' fused the excitement of traditional Korean music with a modern performance, completely captivating the audience. With his strong vocals and dynamic expressiveness, Park Seo-jin heightened the excitement, culminating in a masterful *janggu* performance that showcased his prowess as the 'King of K-Janggu,' even astonishing the Japanese audience.

The combination of *janggu* rhythms and contemporary stage production highlighted the new potential of Korean trot, leaving a strong impression on the Japanese viewers. A clip of his 'Bae Tteoeora' performance released after the broadcast quickly gained traction online, heading towards one million views on YouTube.

The results, revealed on the 9th, showed Park Seo-jin securing a decisive victory with a score of 58 to 42 against Japan's Yudai. He garnered more than half of the votes from the 100 national judges from both countries, upholding the pride of the Korean 'King of Trot.' This win adds one point to Park Seo-jin's tally, giving him an advantageous position for the next round.

Born in 1995, Park Seo-jin debuted in 2014 with the single 'Derail.' He has established a unique position in the trot music scene, earning the nickname 'King of Janggu' for his performances incorporating the traditional Korean drum. His powerful vocals and stage presence have garnered him a large and dedicated fanbase.