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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Popular J-POP Songs in Korea [with Korean Covers too!] (21–30)
KICKBACKYonezu Kenshi
Music subscription services have seen a rapid increase in users in recent years.
With unlimited listening for a flat fee, it’s likely people now have more opportunities to check out songs from overseas.
Amid this trend, Kenshi Yonezu’s “KICK BACK” has charted in major subscription services—Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music—in South Korea.
His one-of-a-kind musical style goes beyond the boundaries of J-pop and is garnering strong support in Korea as well!
First LoveUtada Hikaru (COVER: Kim Chaewon by LE SSERAFIM)
You’ve heard Hikaru Utada’s “First Love,” right? It’s actually cherished in Korea as an enduring classic, too.
In 2022, it drew huge attention when Kim Chaewon of LE SSERAFIM covered it.
She’s been a fan of the song from the start and reportedly sang “First Love” even during her trainee days, so her performance is as polished as it gets.
She didn’t just do a straight cover, either—she added her own touches, like raising the key.
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko (COVER: Hani by NewJeans)
A cover of a classic Japanese song by Hanni from the hugely popular girl group NewJeans is creating a buzz.
Originally released by Seiko Matsuda in 1980, the song beautifully captures the freshness of summer and the bittersweetness of first love.
It was first performed at a fan meeting held at Tokyo Dome in June 2024, sparking a major reaction on social media.
Thanks to its impact, the original track shot to No.
1 among Japanese karaoke songs and climbed rapidly on major music charts! In Hanni’s cover, her clear, translucent vocals blend perfectly with the song’s atmosphere, capturing the hearts of people across generations.
It’s also perfect for making summer memories, so be sure to create some wonderful moments with this song!
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai (COVER: Kimu Junusu)
Ai Otsuka’s hit song “Sakuranbo,” released in 2003, is a cute and fun number that has long been beloved at karaoke.
It’s memorable that the comedy duo Nyanko Star incorporated it into their act, but the choreography really took off again when actor Lee Jong Suk mimicked it in a video that went viral on TikTok, and then JYJ’s Junsu (formerly of TVXQ) posted a live cover and a “sang it” video, spreading its popularity even further.
His exceptionally charming moves also became a hot topic, leading to new dance-driven trends like “Sakuranbo reactions” on AfreecaTV and the “#SakuranboChallenge” on TikTok.
It’s especially familiar to people in their 20s and 30s, and it’s a J-pop classic that everyone can enjoy together.
Wherever you areONE OK ROCK
A song by the four-piece rock band ONE OK ROCK, whose overwhelmingly powerful, non-typical-for-Japanese vocals and standard yet modern rock sound have earned them support both in Japan and abroad.
Featured on their 4th album, Niche Syndrome, this grand rock ballad has maintained enduring popularity despite never being released as a single.
It also drew attention when a team that won the vocal position battle on the hugely popular Korean audition program Produce 101 covered the song.
In addition, it was used as the ending theme for a Taiwanese TV drama, making it a classic beloved by fans around the world.
I LOVE…Ofisharu Higedan Dizumu (COVER: Nayon by TWICE)
Known by the nickname Higedan, Official HIGE DANDism is a four-piece piano pop band whose meticulous arrangements and catchy melodies quickly put them at the center of the modern J-pop scene.
This is their fourth single.
Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Love Lasts Forever,” its popularity is evident from surpassing 200 million total streams.
In South Korea, it gained attention when Nayeon from TWICE covered it, and a YouTube video posted by Classmate’s Sungjong also became popular.
It’s a track packed with Higedan’s charm—stylish, high-quality melodies with a modern vibe.
Odoru-LoopFurederikku
This is the title track of the mini-album “oddloop,” which marked their major debut in Japan in September 2014, and it’s characterized by a highly addictive dance-rock sound.
The music video on YouTube has surpassed 100 million views worldwide, and in Korea it has taken root under the Hangul title “오도루프.” At the 2024 Busan International Rock Festival, a massive sing-along broke out, and the song is often cited as the one that gets live crowds the most fired up.
It was also used as the ending theme for the anime Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches and in a UNIQLO commercial, and it has spread once again to younger generations via TikTok.
In Korea, translations of the lyrics and organized chant guides have been established, and the song has become a familiar presence at rock festivals and live shows—one that people say they’ve all heard at least once.