[Exquisite Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads
When you think of K-POP, many movement-starting idol songs come to mind, but in Korea, ballads are even more popular than in Japan and are loved by a wide range of generations, regardless of age or gender.
The emotionally rich singing style of Korean artists can really move you, even if you don’t understand the lyrics.
We’ll be picking out lots of wonderful ballads—not only by idols, but also by solo singers and musicians!
Be sure to find a favorite ballad that resonates with your heart.
- K-pop that touches the heart: masterful ballads by Korean male artists
- K-pop that touches the heart: iconic ballads by Korean female artists
- Tearjerker K-pop ballads: Korean songs that will make you cry
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- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- A poignant, heart-touching K-pop song. A bittersweet track that resonates with many different emotions.
- [Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]
- Korean karaoke songs: beloved tunes from popular ballads to K-pop
- [Korean Oldies · Genre-Free] Songs from Korea you’ll want to listen to now—nostalgic Korean tracks
- [Korean popular music] Popular trot songs. Masterpieces by trot singers.
- Cute K-pop and Korean songs: heartwarming, energizing, and heart-throbbing tunes
- [Solo Singer Special] K-POP & Korean Male Solo Artists
- [For when you want to cry] A ballad love song. A heartbreaking love song.
Exquisite Ballad Songs: K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads (111–120)
My love is hurtLee Sang Gon
This is a solo single by Lee Sang-gon, a member of Noel, and it serves as the theme song for the drama Gu Family Book.
Lee Sang-gon is the leader of Noel, showcasing a sweet singing voice that proves his outstanding vocal ability.
His stage presence also shines, consistently drawing attention.
우는 법을 잊어버렸나요 (Just Cry)i he-ri (i he-ri)
A track included on the 2020 album “from h.” It’s a tear-jerking ballad brimming with the poignant atmosphere characteristic of Lee Hae-ri.
The song is addressed to those who hide their pain behind a smile, gently embracing feelings of being unable to run away or voice one’s weakness.
Carried by a soft, tender piano melody, her richly expressive vocals glide in seamlessly.
Lee Hae-ri’s singing feels calm, yet there’s a quiet intensity to it—like an echo of pure emotion.
The lyrics toward the end are especially a must-listen.
Sometimes, it’s okay to ease up and let go.
그래서 그대는DK (디셈버)
A gem of a ballad from a Korean singer-songwriter, where the lyrical melody and DK’s delicate vocals resonate deeply.
Centered on themes of heartbreak and lingering attachment to a past love, it portrays the aching feeling of being unable to forget someone.
Released in September 2024, the song has been trending on platforms like TikTok.
It’s also tied up with “배낭메고 버스킹,” with performances planned around a street-busking concept.
Perfect for long autumn nights, it’s a song that gently accompanies those dealing with parting or loss.
It can set a romantic mood when listened to as a couple, and it’s also recommended for moments spent reminiscing about someone special.
July 7 (One Of These Nights)Red Velvet
A ballad by Red Velvet inspired by the legend of Tanabata.
Released in March 2016 as the title track of the album “The Velvet.” It delicately conveys the heartache of longing for a distant lover and the hope of reunion—feelings that resonate even if you don’t understand the words.
The music video is filled with motifs of water and boats, leading some to point out possible connections to the Sewol ferry disaster.
The five members weave a dreamy world, and their emotive vocals are sure to bring you to tears.
After its release, the song topped Korean music shows one after another, achieving major commercial success.
It’s a track that gently stays by your side when you’re missing someone dear or carrying deep emotions in your heart.
Smile FlowerSEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN’s signature song released in December 2016.
With its beautiful, warm melody and atmosphere, it felt like a new frontier at the time, even overturning the group’s image up to that point.
The message is “Let’s keep smiling even if we’re apart,” yet the tears won’t stop.
While facing that aching sadness, the build-up in the latter half sets your heart on fire.
It also carries a strength that evokes an eternal bond.
I think it’s a song that lets you feel the power that comes after tears.
A special music video was also released on April 1, 2017, filled with gratitude toward the fans.
When We Were USSuper Junior-K.R.Y.
A vocal unit formed by Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung from SUPER JUNIOR, whose adult charm is irresistible.
With these three from the vocal line, their ballads truly reach an exquisite level.
This is the title track from their first mini-album, “The Blue Shining Season of Us,” released in June 2020, and it beautifully captures a bittersweet yet refreshing atmosphere as they think of the precious person who changed their life.
Even though they’re alone now, the memories surely shine beautifully in their heart.
That’s the feeling it conveys.
Dark Cloud (먹구름)YOUNHA(윤하)
A song released in January 2020 by Younha, who has also been active in Japan.
It’s included on the album UNSTABLE MINDSET.
It is said to be about Younha herself, and her feelings for someone important gently come through.
The title has the nuance of “dark clouds,” and it also evokes an “if…”-type reflection on how life might have been different.
Younha is often described as having one of the best singing voices in Korea, but it’s her overwhelming expressive power—beyond just her vocals—that gives me chills.
Highly recommended when you’re in the mood for a tear-jerking ballad or when you’re looking for an artist who can truly sing.
피어나 (Between you, me and the lamppost)LE SSERAFIM
Among the tracks on the album UNFORGIVEN, the medium-tempo ballad with a straightforward rock flavor, Between you, me and the lamppost—an outlier in its own right—showcases the members’ creativity: Huh Yunjin, who is also a singer-songwriter, took part in composing, and other members contributed to the lyrics.
Listeners who regularly enjoy Western pop will likely find it familiar, and it’s the kind of song that makes you want to belt it out at karaoke.
PLAYLucy
Many people may be tired of the routine of commuting between work and home.
That’s where “PLAY” comes in.
It’s a release by LUCY, a band formed through an audition program.
In the song, they encourage those who are worn out to try playing freely, like when they were children.
Its profound message is sure to move you.
The intentionally rough-sounding instrumental intro also beautifully expresses the theme of play.
And the music video—featuring a storyline in which an office worker reverts to being a child—is a must-see.
응급실IZI
This is the OST from the 2005 broadcast romantic comedy drama “Delightful Girl Chun-hyang,” which is based on a classic novel.
The song is by the rock band izi.
It has been covered by many artists, including BTS’s V, and has been sung and passed down for a long time.
It’s a generational favorite among people in their 20s to 40s and has long been a karaoke staple.
The love song’s lyrics, about saying and doing things that don’t match your true feelings, are highly relatable.
The melody is gentle and a standard ballad, making it easy to embrace.