[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 Heart. Korean Ballads (211–220)
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.
FutureRed Velvet
OST Part 1 from the drama START-UP, starring Suzy (formerly of miss A), which features a story reminiscent of Itaewon Class.
It’s a beautiful ballad where you can savor the members’ soft, lovely vocals, highlighted by a distinctive, looping synthesizer sound with gorgeous resonance.
A song that fits both the drama and everyday life, about overcoming hardships through the love of someone precious.
With lyrics painted in a realistic yet romantic way, it feels like they’ll lead you toward the “future.”
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.