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.
- Stylish K-pop and Korean songs. Songs with a nice vibe.
- 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
- Cute K-pop and Korean songs: heartwarming, energizing, and heart-throbbing tunes
- [Cute Korean Songs] K-POP used on TikTok
- [Korean Oldies · Genre-Free] Songs from Korea you’ll want to listen to now—nostalgic Korean tracks
- A poignant, heart-touching K-pop song. A bittersweet track that resonates with many different emotions.
- K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance
- K-pop to color your Instagram stories: recommended Korean songs
- K-pop to listen to in winter: beautiful Korean songs that touch the heart
- K-pop friendship songs: heartwarming Korean tracks about borderless bonds
- [Classic and Contemporary Hits] Emotionally Stirring, Heart-Touching Songs
Emotional Korean songs: poignant, sentimental masterpieces (41–50)
Night Runner (Shooting Star)JUNG YONG HWA
Jung Yong-hwa, the leader of the rock band CNBLUE and an all-around performer.
The title track from his mini-album “One Last Day,” released to mark the 10th anniversary of his solo career, is a bittersweet yet beautiful pop song that likens himself to a shooting star streaking across the night sky.
Woven from piano and guitar into a dreamlike soundscape, it tells the story that even if it fades, its brilliance will remain as someone’s wish.
It feels as if he’s projecting the bonds he’s built with fans over the past ten years onto the path of that shooting star.
The song was also performed at his solo concert in July 2025, and the music video—set against the nightscape of New York—perfectly enhances the song’s lyrical worldview.
It’s a track you’ll want to sink into at the end of the day as you reflect on your own journey.
Imaginary FriendITZY
A track marked by edgy vocals and powerful beats.
It’s included on the album “GOLD,” released in October 2024 by the five-member Korean girl group ITZY.
The song explores themes of gratitude and resonance toward friends and one’s inner voice, delivering a message that deeply resonates with fans.
It’s a piece that can be a source of comfort when you feel lonely or anxious.
Emphasizing self-expression and individuality, this work carries a strong stance.
The music video is scheduled to be released on October 28, with a dance practice video to follow in due course.
Always Love featuring Hyunjin (Stray Kids)d4vd, Hyunjin
This is a collaboration track by David, a leading figure in American bedroom pop, and Hyunjin from the popular group Stray Kids.
The song traces an emotional journey that moves toward a single certainty, overcoming anxiety through repeated questions to a loved one.
d4vd’s wistful voice blends with Hyunjin’s gentle, delicate vocals in a way that feels like two characters carrying on a dialogue.
Sparked by a magazine interview and brought to life through interactions on social media, the project came together and, upon its release in June 2025, garnered buzz by charting on Billboard.
If you’re wrestling with the pangs of a bittersweet love, listening to it might give you a quiet nudge forward.
R.E.MKISS OF LIFE
Among Korea’s emotive R&B songs, KISS OF LIFE has delivered a sweet, soul-stirring track.
It’s a pre-release single from their October 2024 album “Lose Yourself,” a mid-tempo ballad that captures emotions swaying between dreams and reality.
Centered on love and relationships that transcend physical distance, it portrays a connection as “twin souls.” The music video dreamily depicts young people enjoying their youth, deepening the song’s world.
It’s a perfect track for winding down before bed or reminiscing about special moments with someone important.
HighSeori
An emotional new song delivered in September 2024 by Sori, a pop/R&B artist from South Korea.
It’s characterized by a message full of hope and healing, with lyrics that gently embrace the heart.
The track expresses the comfort found in being with a loved one through a dreamy yet bright sound.
Incorporating elements of British pop, the song showcases the breadth of Sori’s musicality.
A piece where emotional, delicate vocals harmonize with skillful sound design.
It’s the kind of song that can lighten your heart when you’re feeling stressed or anxious.
By Your SideCrush
A gem of a mid-tempo number released in April 2024 by Crush, a singer-songwriter who represents the Korean R&B scene.
It was unveiled as the first installment of NHN Bugs’ music curation brand project, “essential; With Artist.” The bond with a loved one and the desire to cherish everyday happiness seep into the heart along with Crush’s sweet vocals.
Expressing the strength to overcome the loneliness and anxiety we feel in life with warm tones that gently embrace you, this sensitively crafted track shines with a subtle, slow-burning emotional appeal amid its relaxed atmosphere.
Give it a listen when you want to be close to the feeling of being in love or when you need to heal your heart.
GraceADOY
The high caliber of Asian city pop and indie pop is already well known, and ADOY—a Korean band that delivers wistful, dreamy synth-pop—is one of the standouts.
Since they primarily sing in English rather than Korean, they’re also easy to recommend to listeners who enjoy Western music and are new to Korean indie.
In this article, I’ll introduce one of ADOY’s signature tracks packed with their charm: “Grace,” released in 2017.
It carries a chillwave-like texture reminiscent of the early 2010s, making it a surefire hit for fans of modern bedroom pop.
