An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
This is a playlist introducing emotional Korean tracks.
From K-R&B and love songs to tunes with a languid, melancholic mood, we’ve picked a wide variety.
That laid-back, mellow atmosphere—the kind that slowly seeps in—feels even more emotional at night, doesn’t it?
Perfect for use on TikTok, too.
The stylish sound alone is emotional, but if you really take your time to read the lyrics while you listen, you might find yourself even more immersed in the world they create.
With many tracks featuring lyrics that feel like they’re right there with you, these emo numbers can be a comfort when you’re heartbroken or when you just want to relax.
Emotional Korean songs: gently moving, sentimental masterpieces (1–10)
Polaroid LoveENHYPEN
Polaroid Love is a pop number with an R&B flavor that really tugs at the heartstrings with its melodious mood.
Released by ENHYPEN in 2021, it was included on the 2022 repackage album DIMENSION : ANSWER.
The song’s appeal also lies in the contrast with ENHYPEN, who captivate K-pop fans with their powerful dance performances.
It sings of a happiness so intense it makes you wonder, “Why me?”—and the members’ sweet, luscious vocals make it even more moving.
It has a retro vibe as well, which adds to its emotional atmosphere.
Cherish (My Love)ILLIT
The title track from girl group ILLIT’s second mini album, “I’LL LIKE YOU,” released in October 2024.
Using wisdom teeth as a motif, the song portrays the pain and joy of love, capturing the delicate emotions of a teenage girl where aching sadness and sweet feelings intersect.
Its lively rhythm and addictive hook leave a strong impression, and the refreshing vocals of the five members—renowned for their talent even before debut—are another highlight.
The music video drew global attention, surpassing 10 million views in about 16 hours after release.
It’s a song that will gently keep you company when you’re wrestling with matters of the heart or wanting to face your own feelings of “like.”
DittoNewJeans
An emotional track where wistfulness and sweetness coexist.
Released within a year of NewJeans’ debut, this song showcases the group’s charms to the fullest.
Set over a beat reminiscent of Baltimore club music, the members’ clear, translucent vocals seep into the heart.
The music video symbolically portrays the relationship between idols and fans, deepening the song’s world even further.
Listen at night or on a rainy day—during quiet moments it will resonate all the more.
It’s a song that stays close to those troubled by love or by the distance between themselves and someone important.
We don’t talk together (Feat. 기리보이 (Giriboy)) (Prod. SUGA)Heize
“We don’t talk together” is an emo K-pop track that’s perfect for nighttime listening.
It’s a song released by hip-hop artist Heize in July 2019, and the fact that it was produced by BTS’s Suga is another highlight.
Although it’s about a couple that has broken up, the reasons for the breakup and what happens afterward can fit many different situations.
It has a heart-tugging sense of melancholy.
The song’s languid mood and Heize’s vocals are highly addictive—you’ll want to put it on repeat.
TOXICMEOVV
MEOVV, a group stirring up fresh winds in the K-pop scene.
Their track released in November 2024 is a pop R&B number distinguished by its minimalist rhythm and uniquely expressive vocals.
It delicately depicts a complex state of mind—caught in a whirlpool of dangerous emotions yet unable to break free.
Members Gawon and Narin took part in writing the lyrics.
The dreamlike music video, set against an urban nightscape, has also been well received and is packed with highlights.
It’s a recommended track for anyone feeling the complexities and conflicts of love.
Empty HeadASH ISLAND
A track released in 2019 by ASH ISLAND, a popular emo rapper who won the Rookie of the Year award at the Korean Hip Hop Awards 2020.
Rather than simply being unable to stop surrendering to alcohol, the song portrays a state of mind that feels inescapable.
When you can’t think about anything else and nothing seems to help, this kind of deep worldview can feel comforting.
You can feel the pent-up emotions with no outlet and the anguished cries that verge on madness.
How I FeelPARCO
Parco, a powerhouse singer known for emotionally charged R&B, delivers a sweet, sentimental mid-tempo tune brimming with his soul-stirring expressiveness.
Set in an atmosphere where the wistfulness of dusk and the stillness of night intersect, the lyrics lay bare the pain and loneliness of heartbreak, striking right at the heart.
Released in October 2018 as a solo work, it features a smooth sound crafted by TOIL, a popular producer in the hip-hop scene, which leaves a strong impression.
It’s a gentle, warming track that keeps you company when you want to sink into the late-night mood or find yourself lost in thoughts of someone special.