Tearjerker K-pop ballads: Korean songs that will make you cry
When do you break down in tears?
When you go through a breakup, when you can no longer see someone important to you—so many emotions can well up at times like these.
Here, we carefully curate and introduce K-pop “songs that make you cry” that stand close to each person’s desire to weep.
From tracks that overwhelm with grand, expansive worlds to songs that intimately capture everyday life, we cover a wide range—classic staples, of course, and new releases added as they come.
May these emotion-rich songs unique to K-pop help soothe your heart, even just a little.
Tearjerker K-pop Ballads: Korean Songs That Make You Cry (1–10)
The Truth UntoldBTS
A dramatic tearjerker from BTS.
The only instrument used is the piano, which really highlights the members’ vocal abilities.
The song’s world is a garden where a castle of sand stands—a slightly unreal, fantasy-like setting.
The woman he loves is hiding somewhere in the garden.
He wants to find her, but his feelings are in conflict.
He’s afraid of showing his true self.
It makes him realize how difficult it is to bare yourself to the one you love.
Feel SpecialTwice
A TWICE track released in 2019.
At first glance, it might not seem like a tearjerker, but the lyrics are what you should pay attention to.
They convey the members’ thoughts and feelings, singing that even when they’re hurt and on the verge of breaking under all the criticism, they can keep going because their fans are there—“your presence gives us strength.” It really tugs at the heartstrings.
The scene where Mina and Chaeyoung gaze at each other also nudges the tear ducts.
It’s a song overflowing with the charm of TWICE, who have become stronger and more beautiful, powered by the unwavering support of their fans.
AlwaysWanna One
A ballad included on their 2017 debut album “1×1=1 (TO BE ONE).” Its gentle, soothing melody and the way each member sings as if speaking softly to you truly resonate with the heart.
The lyrics are about building precious moments together with someone important, and just listening is enough to bring tears to your eyes.
The Korean title means “In This Place,” and I think it’s a song that makes you reflect on the irreplaceable time you’ve spent and feel a bond as if hearts are connecting through song.
The passionate final performance on PRODUCE 101 Season 2 is absolutely unforgettable.
Missing You(그리워하다)BTOB
BTOB, who are well known for their ballads.
It’s their 2017 comeback track and one of their signature songs.
From the intro, the warm tones and the members’ vocals truly hit you right in the heart.
I thought I couldn’t live without someone important to me, but somehow I’m getting by… The lyrics, which portray that subtle sense of emptiness in everyday life, really tug at the heartstrings.
How easy it would be if we could just forget.
But I think it’s because we can’t forget that we’re drawn to it.
It’s a masterpiece among masterpieces, written and composed by member Hyunsik.
I’m HomeNEW!EXO
A beautiful pop ballad by EXO where delicate piano melodies intertwine with rich, full-bodied strings.
It captures the joy of returning to a loved one after time apart, wrapping you in a warmth that feels like time has started moving again.
As you listen, you’ll truly feel, “This is where I belong,” and find deep peace.
Released ahead of the January 2026 album REVERXE, the music video dropped in December 2025.
The song’s first live performance at a fan meeting, coloring the reunion between the members and fans, is another heartwarming episode.
It’s the perfect BGM for returning home after a long time or reuniting with someone special.
Give this track a listen—a song that will gently warm your heart through the bitter chill of winter.
Us, AgainSEVENTEEN
A song filled with deep feelings for fans was released in June 2020.
Layered over gentle piano and acoustic guitar, SEVENTEEN’s delicate vocals create a calm and sentimental ballad.
Woozi participated in the production, and the track carries a strong message about walking forward together even in difficult times.
Although it is an unofficial song produced as part of the documentary series “SEVENTEEN: Hit The Road,” the music video features handwritten lyrics by the members, conveying their sincere feelings toward fans.
It’s a song to listen to in moments when you want to feel that your hearts are connected, even when you’re apart from someone important.
DOWNPOURI.O.I
The final song of I.O.I.
Downpour was written and composed by SEVENTEEN’s Woozi, and its gently somber melody is suffused with a bittersweet feeling.
The Korean title, 소나기 (sonagi), means a passing shower or sudden downpour, and the song conveys the idea that even painful and difficult memories will one day be washed away.
This track, which expresses the fragility and beauty of idols, can also be listened to as something that overlaps with each individual’s life.
Watching the music video brings endless tears, yet by the end, simply listening leaves you wrapped in a mysterious warmth.