Youngtaek returns to Radio Star after 3 years to promote new single 'Kkeokkyeo'

First Radio Star visit in 3 years, new title track in hand

Youngtaek sat down on MBC's Radio Star on September 23 for the first time in roughly three years. The Chuseok special—"Molla Molla Molla, Chuseok-e Utkkin Yaegi Man Hae~"—featured Sunwoo Yong-yeo, Lee Dae-ho, and Kim Gyu-won alongside him. He was there to promote Kkeokkyeo, the title track off his 3rd full-length album.

Kkeokkyeo almost never happened. Youngtaek had a different track in mind to lead the album. A blind listening session with agency staff changed that. Kkeokkyeo won by a wide margin. "The company rejected me twice before the song even came out," he said on air. "I was kkeokkyeojyeotda twice." The word means "broken" or "cut down"—which is also the song's title.

On the show, Youngtaek unveiled the choreography for Kkeokkyeo, created with a global choreography team. He ran through an impromptu challenge with fellow guest Sunwoo Yong-yeo.

What the last Radio Star visit did for his catalog

His previous appearance proved the Radio Star effect is real. He promoted Pom Michyeotda that time around. The broadcast boost combined with short-form content use pushed the track to the top of his copyright royalty earnings—surpassing his earlier signature hit Niga Wae Geogi Nawa. Jjin-iya continues to get regular play at school events.

The real story behind 'Niga Wae Geogi Nawa'

Youngtaek opened up about Niga Wae Geogi Nawa on air. It came from a real relationship. He went to find a girlfriend who had told him she was home. He witnessed an unexpected scene. The club setting in the lyrics was fictionalized; the actual location was Sadang Station. She explained she had been drinking one-on-one at an izakaya. He believed her and sent her home. They broke up shortly after. He called her "in a way, my muse."

The broadcast closed with Youngtaek performing Gosokdoro Romance. An hour on air, ten years of trot career covered.