Trot singer Hong Jin-young will be dropping a new digital single called “Viva La Vida” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, IMH Entertainment announced Wednesday. The single is Hong’s first release since coming under fire for plagiarizing her master’s dissertation in 2009. The singer recently announced that she’ll resume her activities after a break of a year and five months following the controversy.

The song is composed by Jo Young-soo, who has worked on many of Hong’s hits like “Cheer Up” (2014), “Good Bye” (2018), “Love Tonight” (2019) and “Love is like a petal” (2020).

She’ll also release an English version of the song.

“'Viva La Vida’ is a song with an exciting melody that will give hope and comfort to those who are struggling and feel exhausted in their everyday lives,” the label said in a statement. Though Hong is a trot singer, the label said her latest release will appeal to any K-pop fans including international ones.

Prior to debuting as a trot singer in 2009, Hong’s music career began in 2007 as a member of short-lived girl group Swan.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]