A J-POP song highly popular in South Korea [with a Korean-language cover too!]
Japanese music is gaining attention among younger generations in Korea.
Of course anime plays a role, but in recent years the influence of social media has helped people enjoy music from all over the world, regardless of country.
Through things like dance collaborations between idols and programs such as the “Japan-Korea Top Ten Show,” we can feel the growing exchange between Japanese and Korean artists, as well as the spread of J-pop and Showa-era pop.
For a long time, sales of Japanese records were restricted in Korea, but now it’s great to see them becoming popular and spreading thanks to various influences.
Let’s all enjoy the J-pop that’s so popular in Korea!
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Top 10 J-POP Songs Popular in Korea [With Korean Covers Too!] (1–10)
BetelgeuseYuuri
Yuri, who has delivered numerous heart-stirring songs, released this massive hit in November 2021.
Betelgeuse, too, stirs up powerful emotions with her signature high-energy vocals and lyrics that resonate deeply.
Speaking of Yuri, she has collaborated with Korean artists, and many of her songs have been widely covered.
This track gained popularity through TikTok short videos, ranked on the Apple Music charts, and was even covered by SEVENTEEN’s DK.
Its romantic, emotionally rich lyrics may be another reason for its wide appeal.
It’s a coming-of-age song that makes you feel that friendship and human connections can become an irreplaceable source of brilliance.
BetelgeuseYuuri (COVER: KangNam)
Yuri’s smash hit that sold out his solo concert in Korea in the blink of an eye.
J-pop has long been popular in Korea and has been covered by many artists, and KangNam’s cover released in August 2024 is also a huge hit in his home country.
It has continued to rank on the YouTube charts even into 2025.
While the emotional chorus evokes Yuri, the natural nuances draw you in.
Centered on the verse sections, KangNam’s signature soft, beautiful voice really shines.
It’s sure to let you enjoy a charm that’s different from the original.
NIGHT DANCERimase
Amid the rising popularity of J-POP since around 2022, this might well be one of the standout smash hits.
It spread rapidly through TikTok dance challenges—now essential to modern music trends—with participation from popular groups like IVE and Stray Kids, making it beloved by a wide audience.
It was also shocking to see it become the first J-POP song to rank on Korea’s important Melon Top 100 chart.
The laid-back, ennui-tinged vocals and melodies are easy to listen to and offer a different kind of addictive appeal from K-POP.
Its message of enjoying the night freely perfectly captures the allure of music.
Popular J-POP Songs in Korea [With Korean Covers!] (11–20)
City DolphinHamada Kingo
A song from singer-songwriter Kingo Hamada—one of the defining figures of 1980s city pop—featured on his 1982 album “midnight cruisin’,” has surged in popularity in South Korea, recording an astonishing 127% week-over-week increase in streams in a Billboard report in November 2025.
Sparked by a sampling track from American producer Engelwood that led to a global reevaluation, the song has inspired numerous YouTube videos in Korea with Korean lyric translations and pronunciation guides, where it is affectionately known as “거리의 돌고래” (Street Dolphin).
With lyrics by Kohei Oikawa, the dolphin metaphor weaves together youthful reverie and adult nostalgia, portraying a longing for freedom lurking in the corners of the city.
Its mellow AOR sound and dreamy melodies have captured—and won’t let go of—the hearts of young Korean listeners who love city pop.
Dinner Songtuki.
tuki.’s “Bansanka” is a moving song that portrays the complexity of love.
Released in September 2023, it quickly captured listeners’ hearts and drew significant attention, even charting on Spotify’s Korean Viral chart.
The fragile piano melody, paired with deeply emotional lyrics, is truly stirring.
It’s a track that showcases tuki.’s talent, with an emotional depth that’s hard to believe came from a 15-year-old at the time, shaking listeners to their core.
The song not only conveys the appeal of J-pop across borders but also marks a striking debut for a new-generation vocalist.
Snow Flower (Neun-ui Kkot)Nakajima Mika (COVER: Paku Hyoshin)
Mika Nakashima’s “Yuki no Hana,” released in 2003, is a bittersweet love song that’s often featured every winter.
It’s no exaggeration to say almost everyone in Japan knows it, and it’s hugely popular in Korea as well.
It became a big hit there after Park Hyo-shin remade it as part of the OST for the drama “I’m Sorry, I Love You.” Among numerous requests from various artists, Mika Nakashima herself decided to offer the song to Park Hyo-shin.
His vocal prowess and the unique atmosphere that comes from a male vocalist make it just as beautiful as the original.
Given Korea’s excellence in ballads, the rich, emotional tone may resonate even more deeply.
In recent years, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo has also covered it live, making it an immortal classic loved across generations.
I want to tell you how I feel (my love)aimyon
A highly memorable second single featuring a music video set entirely in the same location.
Aimyon’s masterful lyricism, laying bare the anxieties of being in love, is seriously cool.
Although it was released in 2017, it seems to have gained a lot of traction thanks to short videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels.
The fact that BTS’s SUGA mentioned it as a song he often listens to may have further boosted its popularity.
It has even charted on platforms like Apple Music and continues to enjoy a long-running hit status.