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 are sure to make you cry: Korean tearjerker songs (41–50)
Time MachineGirls' Generation
Girls’ Generation is a South Korean female idol group that is very popular in Japan as well.
They debuted in 2007 and became top artists after their 2009 release “Gee” became a big hit.
While the individual members’ solo activities now stand out in addition to the group’s, they remain a popular group today.
K-POP Tearjerker Ballads: Korean Songs That Will Make You Cry (51–60)
Remember meGUMMY
This is an OST from the Korean drama Hotel Del Luna, which aired in 2019 and achieved high ratings.
The leads are IU, known as the Nation’s Little Sister, and Yeo Jin-goo.
The drama showcased the charm of its lead IU, who excels at both singing and acting.
The OST singer Kimmii (Kommi), an artist who debuted in 2003, is a powerhouse known for her wide vocal range and strong voice.
The song is written from a woman’s perspective, expressing feelings that can’t reach the man she loves—something many women who’ve struggled with love will surely relate to.
It’s heartbreakingly poignant.
A world called youYun Mire
This song became part of the OST for the 2016 Korean drama The Legend of the Blue Sea.
It’s a beautiful love story with a fantasy setting, starring the handsome Lee Min-ho as a human and the stunning Jun Ji-hyun as a mermaid.
The song also sings of the couple’s powerful love, and its emotions for that one, irreplaceable person in the world are sure to bring tears to your eyes.
Yoon Mi-rae is a leading female singer in Korea’s R&B and hip-hop scenes, and she’s an accomplished artist who’s incredible even when singing ballads!
We can break up then.Roi Kimu
This song, with its gentle and memorable vocals, is sung by Roy Kim, who took the top spot on the audition program Superstar K4.
Roy Kim’s voice—its beautiful tone, its power, and the poignant emotion that comes through so strongly—everything about his expressiveness is truly remarkable! The song is about not worrying about other people or circumstances, and choosing to believe in the love the two of you have right now.
It might not sound very practical to say, “Don’t worry about the future; we’ll think about it when the time comes.” But that kind of romantic ideal is something we can’t help but admire, isn’t it?
PARADISEINFINITE
INFINITE is a six-member South Korean male idol group that has been active since 2010.
They have been active in Japan since 2011, gaining popularity through solo concerts and festival appearances.
They also have many Japanese-language songs, making them a great recommendation for those who want to focus on lyrics.
Like WaterWENDY
LIKE WATER, one of the double title tracks alongside When This Rain Stops from Wendy’s solo debut album as the main vocalist of Red Velvet.
It’s a ballad where Wendy’s vocals, as clear and permeating as pure water, are simply breathtaking.
Even when things don’t go well despite your best efforts, or you’re worn out by unfair events, the song carries a message that lets you feel the love of music, the presence of those who want to support you, and the people who stay by your side.
Together with Wendy’s expansive, gentle, and embracing vocals, it’s warm and deeply moving.
If you listen to it when you’re feeling weak, you’ll definitely end up in tears.
Please give it a listen when you want to heal a wounded heart.
My LoveI Hai
This is the song used in the palace love story overflowing with handsome men, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, which aired in Korea in 2016.
In addition to the cute IU and the popular heartthrob Lee Joon-gi, EXO’s Baekhyun also appeared, making it a hot topic.
The singer of this track, Lee Hi, debuted with YG Entertainment at 17 and amazed music fans with her soulful, powerful vocals.
She showcases that talent in this song as well—an achingly beautiful love song that feels like clinging to the one you love.