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.
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
- [Exquisite Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads
- K-pop that touches the heart: masterful ballads by Korean male artists
- K-pop that touches the heart: iconic ballads by Korean female artists
- K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance
- A poignant, heart-touching K-pop song. A bittersweet track that resonates with many different emotions.
- [K-POP] Korean 'yami' songs that fit a blue mood
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- [Korean popular music] Popular trot songs. Masterpieces by trot singers.
- A J-POP song highly popular in South Korea [with a Korean-language cover too!]
- [Korea] A ballad-style friendship song. A roundup of classic K-pop masterpieces
- K-pop to color your Instagram stories: recommended Korean songs
K-POP Ballads That Will Make You Cry: Tearjerker Songs from Korea (81–90)
I Loved You Like a MovieBEN
A ballad that portrays a movie-like romance has been released.
It’s a track unveiled in July 2024 by the female solo artist, Ben.
Her crystal-clear vocals vividly capture fragile yet beautiful memories of love.
With lyrical lyrics and a melody that evoke a cinematic scene, it strikes straight to the heart.
It’s perfect for those who have experienced the end of a romance or want to look back on precious memories.
It will surely resonate with anyone who dreams of a drama-like love.
편지 (The Letter)Kimu Gwanjin
This is a moving ballad by Kim Kwang-jin, a singer-songwriter highly acclaimed in Korea.
His warm, gentle voice and a simple yet heartfelt melody are truly captivating.
The piano and strings weave together with emotional richness, offering a calm yet deeply touching experience.
Included on his third album, “It’s Me,” released in 2000, this piece has been covered by many artists and remains beloved.
Its natural expression of feeling and universal themes enrich the song’s storytelling world.
It’s a track that quietly stays by your side when your heart wavers or when you’re thinking of someone—one I highly recommend you listen to.
봄은 있었다Younha
A song included on Just Listen, released in May 2013 by Younha, a singer-songwriter from South Korea.
It’s a mid-tempo ballad—the classic kind that swells gently and tenderly.
The lyrics, which resonate with anyone who has experienced heartbreak or parting, combined with Younha’s delicate vocals, tighten the chest.
It leaves a strong impression with lyrics that look back on a love that passed with the arrival of spring and depict a new beginning.
The line, “Back then, I didn’t know that change itself was pain,” is especially moving.
A perfect ballad for long nights, where feelings of longing spill over.
HARU HARUBIGBANG
As a monster group that YG proudly boasts, BIGBANG has had a tremendous impact in Japan and has led the K-pop scene with overwhelming charisma.
“HARU HARU” is a ballad with an MV guaranteed to make you cry.
Released in 2008 on the mini album “Stand Up,” it has also captivated listeners with its Japanese lyrics; even people not deeply familiar with BIGBANG often say they love this song.
The graceful melody crafted by DAISHI DANCE and G-DRAGON will completely break your tear ducts, too.
It’s an unfading masterpiece that makes you painfully feel the depth of loving one person and the preciousness of everyday life.
잊지 말아요Baek Ji Young (백지영)
Many people might feel tears welling up when they listen to “Don’t Forget” (잊지말아요), don’t you think? It’s a smash hit as part of the OST for the drama IRIS by Baek Ji-young, a singer who represents the Korean ballad scene.
The lyrics sing of timeless feelings for a loved one that never fade with time.
And Baek Ji-young’s vocals beautifully express that world, resonating with a lingering tone as if her voice were a single instrument.
It’s a masterpiece that gently seeps into your heart without you having to think about anything.
Fix make-upCha ga eul
A classic among women’s ballads and a hit that tugs at the heartstrings, “Fix My Makeup” is a song by WAX, who originally debuted as a member of a rock band before becoming a ballad singer.
For her Japan debut, the song was titled “Akai Ito” (Red Thread), with Japanese lyrics penned by Takashi Matsumoto.
It’s a heartbreaking breakup song with lines like “All I ever did was take; I couldn’t do anything for you,” and “Why did you love someone like me?” The song has been covered by many artists, and on May 1, 2023, Cha Ga-eul released her own cover.
Her emotionally rich, expressive vocals are deeply moving as well.
Tearjerker K-pop Ballads: Korean Songs That Make You Cry (91–100)
Longing For The One I LostHYNN
A heart-stirring love ballad that weaves together melancholy and hope.
It’s a definitive track released in December 2024 by the highly skilled singer-songwriter Hynn (Park Hye-won).
The song gives voice to lingering feelings and regrets for a lost lover, along with a poignant wish to meet again.
Hynn’s powerful yet delicate vocals beautifully capture the pain and nostalgia of heartbreak.
Another highlight is that Young K of the popular band DAY6 penned the lyrics.
With emotionally rich vocals and relatable lyrics, this song is sure to leave a deep impression on listeners.
It’s perfect for moments when you want to reflect on a past relationship or renew your feelings for someone special.
Why not let yourself be carried away by Hynn’s soulful voice?