Trot legend Na Hoon-a to retire after Seoul concert in January

Na Hoon-a / Coutesy of Yearah and Yesori

Na Hoon-a / Coutesy of Yearah and Yesori

By Park Jin-hai

Na Hoon-a, the legendary "Emperor of Trot," will conclude his 58-year music career with a grand finale concert in Seoul next January.

The 77-year-old icon, who has been captivating audiences nationwide with his "2024 Na Hoon-ah: Thank You — Last Concert" tour following his surprise retirement announcement in February, unveiled the final stop of his farewell journey on Friday.

"I can't fathom what the first-ever final stage will be like, but as always, I'm driven to deliver an even more extraordinary performance. I'll sing my farewell songs with a bright smile. Thank you, everyone," Na Hoon-a said in a heartfelt letter released by his agency Yearah and Yesori.

His last concert will take place at the KSPO Dome, the largest arena within Olympic Park that can house some 15,000 seats from Jan. 10 to 12.

The second half of the tour, kicking off in Daejeon on Oct. 12, will travel to Gangneung, Andong, Jinju, Gwangju, Daegu and Busan before wrapping up in Seoul.

Since his debut in 1966 with "A Thousand Miles of Way," Na has been beloved by the public with numerous hits, including "Love" (1976), "Why are You Crying" (1989) and "Tender Passion" (2002).

He previously stole the limelight in 2020 with the release of "Brother Tess," the song Na wrote thinking of his deceased father, demonstrating his enduring relevance in the music industry.

Renowned as a singer-songwriter, he has over 120 hits to his name, holding the domestic record for the highest number of hits. He has also released over 200 albums and recorded approximately 3,000 songs, including over 1,200 self-composed tracks, setting an impressive record.

The news of the iconic singer's retirement surprised many music fans in February. In a letter, Na said, "Taking one step after another, I've walked this path for over half a century. I never realized how much courage it takes to put down the microphone. I want to follow the profound truth behind the simple saying, 'Leave when the applause is loudest.'"

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