Singer Ko Jeong-woo shared his thoughts on remaking a song by his senior Na Hoon-a.
Ko Jeong-woo recently spoke about his newly released song "Palja" in an interview with OSEN at a café in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Ko Jeong-woo gained recognition as the youngest diver in Haenam while doing underwater work with his grandmother, who was a diver herself, through appearances on various programs including SBS's "Moment Capture: There Are Such Things in the World" and KBS2's "Human Theater." After proving his skills as a five-win singer in the corner "Challenge: Dream Stage" on KBS1, he appeared on TV Chosun's "Mr. Trot 2," earning the nickname "Sea Food Pot Voice" with his deep emotionality and vocal ability, thereby making his mark as a next-generation traditional trot singer.
Ko Jeong-woo's newly released song "Palja," which came out on the 19th, is a traditional trot song that reflects on the past 10 years filled with regret, reinterpreting Na Hoon-a's original song released in 2018 with a modern sensibility. Ko shines with his unique, clear, and soaring vocals alongside the delicate emotional expression and appeal, delivering a familiar yet fresh touch while preserving the profound resonance and emotion of the original track.
Ko Jeong-woo, who left a deep impression by appearing as "Ulsan Na Hoon-a" on "Mr. Trot 3," noted that the remake was not a result of that connection. Ko said, "The song "Palja" is a track included in the 40th debut anniversary album released by Na Hoon-a in 2018. I liked this song long before I became a singer, and the lyrics fit me perfectly. So, I always said, 'This song is mine,' and 'I will definitely get it.' It feels like my words have power, and that's how I ended up doing the remake."
The biggest support in remaking "Palja" came from Jeong Kyung-cheon, who was connected through Ko Jeong-woo's first album "Joseon Romance." Jeong Kyung-cheon, who took charge of the lyrics and composition for "Palja," stated, "(Teacher Jeong Kyung-cheon) said he wanted to get this song since he was very young, and after sharing the story, he asked me to wait for a moment. After discussing with Teacher Na Hoon-a, he granted permission immediately. From the moment the song was to come out, I kept saying 'I will get it,' and it's really amazing that I got it."
Ko Jeong-woo added, "Although I could have released a completely new song since it's a new single, I feel honored to be able to do a remake instead of being greedy. Just like the lyrics of 'Palja,' I think it will happen. I can feel that such energy is coming."
However, remaking is a double-edged sword. If one only preserves the emotionality of the original song, it merely becomes a cover song. On the other hand, if too much emphasis is placed on one's own interpretation, it can turn into a completely new piece, so it requires navigating a fine line in-between. Ko Jeong-woo expressed, "Instead of pressure, I felt gratitude and honor. I thought about how to approach it, and I decided to infuse my life into it. I sang with my mindset and wishes in my heart," adding that before recording, he warmed up his vocals, settling on the third trial as the final take. He concluded, "Since I had been doing image training with the mindset 'I will get it,' it seems that rather than forcibly extracting emotions, they came out naturally, leading to a fixed result. That's why many people noted that 'Ko Jeong-woo seems to have found his own style.'"
Ko Jeong-woo cited Na Hoon-a as his role model. However, Na Hoon-a recently announced his retirement, leaving a sense of disappointment. Ko shared, "I feel very disappointed. I really wanted to see the performance and tried to get tickets but always failed. So, I often watch videos from when Teacher Na was active. I've often heard people say that I resemble Teacher Na Hoon-a greatly in wit, demeanor, and gestures."
About a week after the release of the new song, Ko Jeong-woo said, "There are many ups and downs in life and many hardships, but I think 'Palja' can be a song that allows people to reflect on their lives. I hope many people can listen to it and find comfort while reminiscing about the past."
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