Hello, a few days ago I gathered with some friends and an older sister at a karaoke place, and of course, the final song was ABBA's 'Dancing Queen.'

Even though we all have different ages and hometowns, as soon as the intro of that song starts, everyone jumps up.

Koreans' Favorite Old Pop Song

I found out that in an MBC-FM Golden Disk survey, 'Dancing Queen' was ranked as the number one old pop song loved by Koreans.

Of course, these days, in online pop song rankings, Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' often takes the top spot, and The Beatles' 'Yesterday' is always in the upper ranks.

Still, the fact that it ranked first in a large official survey means it is loved across generations, right?

ABBA is a four-member mixed group from Sweden.

The members are Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid, and they became more famous because they originally started as two couples.

The group's name was derived from the first letters of their names.

They became global stars after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with 'Waterloo.'

They released a string of hits like 'Mamma Mia,' 'Fernando,' and 'The Winner Takes It All.'

The musical and movie Mamma Mia! brought them back into the hearts of younger generations.

I first got to know ABBA properly when I watched that movie in high school.

In fact, there was a Mamma Mia! show that ran for quite a while here in Las Vegas.

'Dancing Queen' was released in 1976 and topped the charts in several countries, including the UK and Australia.

It also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., and it's the only ABBA song to achieve that in America.

That makes it one of ABBA's signature songs. There's also a famous story about it being performed at a royal wedding in Sweden.

Why does it resonate so well with Koreans?

First, it has a 'fun yet slightly sad' emotion. The tempo is great for dancing, but the melody has a strangely nostalgic feeling.

It combines the excitement and sentiment that Koreans love in one song. So even while singing it joyfully at karaoke, it brings back memories.

Second, it has an easy-to-sing melody. Even if you don't know English well, if you know the chorus, everyone can sing along. It livens up the atmosphere at gatherings, reunions, and even the second part of weddings.

Third, it's a song that connects generations. Our parents' generation heard it on the radio and in discotheques, while our generation met this song through Mamma Mia!.

It's rare to find a pop song that you can hum along with your mom, but this one allows that.

Living abroad, it's fascinating and heartwarming how a song like this can quickly bring Koreans together.

What is your favorite old pop song?