'Welcome' Youngtak: "7-Year Friendship with Greg... We Even Eat Together"

On the 30th, the MBC Every1 variety show “Welcome, First Time in Korea?” featured trot singer Youngtak and American singer Greg, who showed their friendship. Photo by MBC Every1 “Welcome, First Time in Korea?” broadcast capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Trot singer Yeongtak and American singer Greg revealed that they have maintained a friendship for seven years.

On the 30th, Greg, who has lived in Korea for 13 years, appeared on MBC Every1's variety show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' and shared his daily life.

On this day’s broadcast, special guest Yeongtak appeared and introduced himself as "Yeongtak, who has lived in Korea for 38 years."

Yeongtak then said, "Greg and I have known each other for seven years. We meet about once every two months to eat together. He's a friend, but at first, I thought he was my older brother," which made Greg respond, "Your birthday is in May, mine is in June," causing laughter.

When Yeongtak met Greg and got into the car, he said, "The week before the shoot was Greg’s birthday. I brought a birthday present," and revealed the gift.

Greg then said, "From the first time I met Yeongtak, I felt like we were brothers. Like family."

Yeongtak added, "While preparing the hit song 'Why Are You Coming Out There,' both the company and I were going through a tough time. If Greg hadn’t appeared in the music video, my singing career might have stopped. I think I’m his closest friend in Korea."

When the two arrived at a studio, they opened the gifts as soon as they sat down.

Yeongtak gave Greg a mask pack, cleansing foam, shampoo, and medicine good for the vocal cords.

Greg then said, "I want to learn Korean songs," and revealed that he was selected as the singer of the Korean professional baseball national anthem.

He said, "I was contacted three months ago asking if I could sing the national anthem," adding, "I was worried, but I wanted to respect Korea and sing the anthem properly. If I was going to do it, I wanted to do it right, so I called Yeongtak."

Yeongtak said, "Just sing it by the book," and added, "Just like this. It’s really good."

As Greg kept asking about the meaning of the national anthem’s lyrics, Yeongtak said, "I thought you weren’t Korean," and added, "I didn’t know the hidden meanings in the anthem this well. It was hard to explain the dictionary definitions. Rather, I think it was a time for me to learn Korean through Greg."

Greg encouraged Yeongtak’s overseas expansion, saying, "You can become a global star too. You have a special voice, so if Yeongtak’s songs are translated into English, they could chart in the U.S. K-Trot is shaking Asia. It’s gaining new audiences. It will be a good opportunity for Yeongtak."

Yeongtak was surprised and said, "After Greg said that, my face appeared on the Times Square billboard."

Finally, Yeongtak said, "It’s great to do broadcasts together with Greg. It’s amazing. When I came up to Seoul, I had 700,000 won. I saved money little by little while going out to teach children, but when my father collapsed, it all went to surgery fees," adding, "I wondered if I could ever have a rented house or my own home in my life, but I received a lot of love through 'Mr. Trot.' I’m now looking for a rented house for the first time."

Hearing this, Greg said, "I’m happy that Yeongtak is doing well. I will remember this moment forever."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.