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 Tearjerker Ballads: Korean Songs That Will Make You Cry (51–60)
Destiny (2025)Monday Kiz, Lee Yi Kyung
An emotional duet ballad by Monday Kiz, the Korean vocal group renowned for their overwhelming vocal prowess, and actor Lee Yi Kyung.
The track is the title song of the single “Monday Kiz’s Footprints Vol.1 (with Lee Yi Kyung),” released in July 2025, and is a remake of a beloved classic originally featured on the OST of the 2006 drama “Wolf (늑대).” It seems to portray the aching hearts of two people irresistibly drawn together by inescapable fate.
The contrast between Monday Kiz’s soul-stirring vocals and Lee Yi Kyung’s emotionally rich singing is deeply moving.
The grand harmonies immediately draw listeners into the world of the story.
It’s perfect for a night when you want to immerse yourself in a dramatic ballad—give it a listen.
I’m a little drunkLim Jae Hyun(임재현)
Im Jaehyun is an artist who rarely shows his true face.
The song is about a man who tries to drown his sorrow over an ex-girlfriend with alcohol.
He drinks and smokes, though it seems she disliked both, so there’s a bit of lashing out in it.
As he drinks more, his consciousness grows hazy.
There’s a part in the song where he calls her name, so listen for that.
The key point is how, even while drunk, he’s overwhelmed by the pain of heartbreak.
You Were Beautiful(예뻤어)DAY6
This is a song released in 2017 by DAY6, a talented band under JYP.
With a melodic sound and lovely vocals, it paints beautiful memories.
Although it’s a breakup song, it carries a light that isn’t just sadness, wrapped in a gentle atmosphere.
Rather than lamenting or denying the past, it affirms it as “beautiful,” and that beauty brings tears to your eyes.
When it’s hard, don’t force yourself—go ahead and cry.
You Were Beautiful gently stays by your side with a brightness.
Its delicate band sound, like falling snow, will surely give you courage moving forward.
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.
Tearjerker K-pop Ballads: Korean Songs That Will Make You Cry (61–70)
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.
DREAMBABYMONSTER
BABYMONSTER is a girl group born from the documentary program “Last Evaluation.” Their pre-debut track is “DREAM.” The song portrays sleepless nights filled with worries and a strong determination to face challenges.
It starts as a gentle ballad, gradually builds in intensity, and even features a call-and-response section in the latter half.
Its heartfelt message and straightforward vocals will move you to tears when you’re going through tough times.
