[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
- Stylish K-pop and Korean songs. Songs with a nice vibe.
- 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 (181–190)
forever and everLYn, ISU
Armed with a heartrending ballad, popular Korean singers LYN and ISU released a collaborative track in October 2024.
ISU is also known as a member of MC the Max.
The piece is striking for the harmony woven by their powerful vocals.
Lyrics themed around heartbreak and parting resonate deeply.
It’s an especially fitting number for the autumn season, and it appears to be performing well on Korean music charts.
In the live clip, their vocal prowess stands out even more, overwhelming listeners with the breadth of their emotional expression.
It’s a highly recommended track for anyone wanting to bask in the feelings of bittersweet love.
[Supreme Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the heart. Korean Ballads (191–200)
Rhapsody of SadnessLim Jae Hyun
Im Jae-hyun, a singer from South Korea, moves listeners’ emotions with ballads that resonate deep in the heart.
Released in December 2023, this gem of a song portrays the journey of facing and overcoming the pain of heartbreak.
With a delicate yet powerful voice, he carefully conveys the subtleties of feeling—from the sorrow of parting to the resolve for personal growth.
His clear, transparent vocals feel as if they gently stay by the listener’s side.
It’s a perfect song to play when you want to heal from heartache or reflect on yourself.
This moving masterpiece is bound to be a favorite on radio request shows as well.
Bashfulness(부끄럼)MeloMance
A sweet, wistful ballad by the Korean indie-folk duo MeloMance that evokes the arrival of spring.
It paints the bewilderment and bashfulness of being in love, capturing the flustered thrill of locking eyes with someone you like.
The melody and piano arrangement, perfect for a quiet spring afternoon, are marked by sincere and delicate emotional expression.
Released in October 2015 and included on the compilation album “bright #4,” this romantic track is one you’ll find yourself wanting to revisit during the season of new encounters.
You’ll likely relate to the lyrics, which express inner emotional turmoil and the frustrating inability to take the first step.
I love youPOSITION
A cover of Yutaka Ozaki’s classic song “I LOVE YOU.” It captures love from a perspective different from Ozaki’s original world.
In the Korean version, the lover has passed away, and the song longs for their memory.
The sorrowful yet beautiful strings—reminiscent of a Korean drama OST—are simply outstanding.
It’s the kind of song that soothes a broken heart when you’re going through a breakup.
LingeringRYEOWOOK
A ballad whose gentle piano melody and Ryeowook’s soft vocals sink deep into the heart.
Hailing from Korea, Ryeowook is a powerhouse singer known as the main vocalist of SUPER JUNIOR.
This work is a poignant love song that looks back on memories with a precious person against the backdrop of a snow-covered cityscape.
While wrapped in the chill of winter, its delicate lyrics portray the enduring presence of a beloved who remains warm in one’s heart.
Released in December 2023, the song pairs a heartwarming melody perfect for the season with Ryeowook’s shining vocal prowess, showcasing his three-octave range.
Recommended for those who have experienced a breakup or for moments when you want to remember someone dear.
빈칸 KindSHINee
A slow ballad that gives you goosebumps with the beauty of SHINee’s harmonies.
They’re amazing at dance tracks, but their expression in ballads is incredibly captivating too! This is the closing number of Don’t Call Me, their first album in two and a half years following their military service.
Minho’s sexy low notes, Key’s reassuring tone, Taemin’s delicacy, and Onew’s high notes and falsetto are all breathtakingly beautiful.
The lyrics, which feel like words left in a blank space, carry gratitude for those who supported you through hard times and really strike a chord.
It might make you think of someone you can’t forget.
It’s a warm song that conveys not only romance and friendship, but a deeper sense of appreciation.
Bye bye my blueYerin Baek
For city pop fans, Yerin Baek is a female singer you can’t miss.
This is a ballad track included on her EP released in June 2016.
Her delicate vocals, intertwined with a repeating piano motif, sink into the heart alongside lyrics that portray the complexities of love.
Self-criticism, envy, and deep longing are expressed in a perfect balance, gripping the listener from the start.
It’s a song to savor especially in spring—when new encounters and farewells make our emotions fragile.
Its bittersweet yet hopeful atmosphere is sure to resonate with you.