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!
- Summary of Japanese singers popular in Korea: Notable J-POP and artists
- K-POP Popularity Rankings [2026]
- [K-POP] Korean songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic crowd-pleasers
- [Korean popular music] Popular trot songs. Masterpieces by trot singers.
- Stylish K-pop and Korean songs. Songs with a nice vibe.
- Popular songs on Korean TikTok & K-pop and trending tracks
- Korean karaoke songs: beloved tunes from popular ballads to K-pop
- Nothing but famous and hit songs! K-pop tracks recommended for Gen Z
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
- Popular K-pop and Korean songs that brighten up YouTube Shorts
- [Exquisite Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads
- A Korean song you often hear on TikTok. Trending K-pop.
- Today's recommendation! K-pop songs
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.
Overdosenatori
An addictive track that exploded in popularity starting from TikTok and went on to become an unusually long-running hit in South Korea.
After its release in September 2022, it continued to chart on Spotify’s daily rankings in Korea, achieving an exceptional level of staying power for a J-pop song.
Whispered vocals tell a story of a love you knew you shouldn’t pursue, expressing a crumbling relationship and uncontrollable emotions over an R&B-tinged sound.
That worldview resonated deeply with young listeners in Korea, inspiring numerous Korean-language cover videos.
It was also featured in a Nike campaign and included on the album “Gekijou.” Perfect for fans of city pop and alternative R&B, it’s a highly recommended track for night drives or when you want to sink into your feelings alone.
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.