[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.
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- K-pop that touches the heart: iconic ballads by Korean female artists
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- [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 Heart. Korean Ballads (211–220)
우린 그렇게 사랑해서 (Because we loved)KANG MIN KYUNG X CHOI JUNG HOON
A collaborative number by Davichi’s Kang Min-kyung and Choi Jung-hoon, the frontman of the band JANNABI.
It was released in September 2022.
In the sentimental autumn season, we long for duet ballads.
The lyrical lyrics draw you in, recalling the days when feelings flowed back and forth between lovers.
The richly expressive vocals of the two seep into this track, and the final chorus is deeply moving—sure to tug at your heartstrings.
Though tinged with sorrow, it somehow carries a warmth that mirrors the loneliness we feel in autumn.
No Better Than Strangers (Feat. Whee Sung)Baby Soul
This is a solo number by Baby Soul, a member of the girl group Lovelyz.
She sings to a boyfriend full of excuses, saying she’s fed up and wants him to stop bothering her.
Even though her words sound harsh, you can imagine that in her heart she’s still hung up on him.
It’s a quintessentially Korean, melancholy love song.
Way HomeKim Soo Hyun
A bittersweet yet warm ballad by Kim Soo-hyun that colors the moving climax of Queen of Tears.
Its nostalgic melody and lyrics that look back on beautiful memories of the past resonate deeply.
You can also feel a ray of hope to reclaim lost love, making it a song that leaves a lasting impression.
Released in April 2024, it also drew attention as the drama’s theme song.
Kim Soo-hyun’s emotionally rich vocals further enhance the drama’s world.
It’s the perfect track for when you want to reaffirm your bond with someone special or bask in nostalgia.
Savor this gem of a ballad by a beloved Korean actor.
Broken HeartMONSTAX
A heartbreak ballad by MONSTA X that vividly captures lingering feelings and a profound sense of loss after a breakup.
This moving track, included on their September 2015 mini-album “RUSH,” portrays the ache of being the only one still trapped in memories while the other person has already moved on—an unrequited, bittersweet longing powerfully conveyed through the members’ emotive vocals.
The song showcases a delicate side of a group best known for their strong beats and high-energy performances.
The album “RUSH” reached No.
6 on the Gaon Chart and sold over 30,000 copies.
Thanks in part to this achievement, they won the Next Generation Asian Artist Award at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
Give it a listen when you want to face the pain of heartbreak or when you’re wrestling with unresolved feelings.
Lost of loveU-KISS
It’s one of the signature songs by U-KISS, a K-pop idol group that’s also very popular in Japan.
This winter love song expresses feelings for a precious person; it’s addressed to a girlfriend living far away, and warmly sings, “no matter how far apart we are, I love you.” It’s a ballad.
봄을 그리다 (One Spring Day)Urban Zakapa
A song by Urban Zakapa that brings a gentle warmth to the heart with the arrival of spring.
Released in May 2011, it’s a classic that appears on many playlists as the footsteps of spring draw near.
The Korean R&B trio’s clear, luminous vocals intertwine with soft acoustic guitar and piano, making you feel as if a spring breeze is passing by.
While eagerly awaiting spring’s arrival, the lyrics delicately express nostalgia for days gone by and moments of regret.
It’s a particularly recommended track for those embarking on new journeys in this season where meetings and farewells intersect.
What IfPLAVE
The OST for the drama “To My Heli: The Door of Growing Love,” performed by the virtual boy group PLAVE.
Released in October 2024, it’s a poignant ballad.
As the group’s first participation in a drama OST, this track delivers an emotionally rich melody that resonates within a gentle, soothing atmosphere.
It expresses the wavering feelings within the hypothetical “what if I had chosen a different path,” conveyed with PLAVE’s distinctive sensibility.
Universal emotions—like anxiety about the future and the struggles of choice—tenderly accompany the listener’s heart.
It’s the perfect song for immersing yourself in the drama’s world while reflecting on the possibilities of your own life.