A J-POP song highly popular in South Korea [with a Korean-language cover too!]

silhouetteKANA-BOON

KANA-BOON “Silhouette” Music Video

A four-piece rock band from Osaka, KANA-BOON released this song in 2014 as the opening theme for the anime Naruto Shippuden.

With exhilarating guitar riffs and a powerful melody, the lyrics express how memories of the past and encounters with loved ones remain in the heart like indelible shadows.

The message of growing up while protecting what’s important overlaps with Naruto’s story and resonated with many fans.

In Korea, the song has maintained strong support among anime fans, with a cover by popular YouTuber Raon Lee surpassing 100 million views.

In 2025, KANA-BOON performed the song for the first time in Goyang, South Korea, and the local fans’ massive sing-along became a hot topic.

LemonYonezu Kenshi (COVER: B.I.G)

B.I.G (B.I.G)-Lemon (Kenshi Yonezu COVER)

A singer-songwriter who can be considered one of the most important artists in today’s J-POP scene, Kenshi Yonezu’s 8th major-label single.

Written as the theme song for the TV drama “Unnatural,” this track is also known for propelling Yonezu—who had previously gained popularity as the Vocaloid producer Hachi—into nationwide recognition.

It drew further attention when BTS’s Jungkook performed it a cappella at a live show, and its popularity is evident from the fact that it topped the J-POP chart in Korean karaoke for three consecutive years.

It’s a masterpiece that will go down in J-POP history, beloved not only in Japan but also in Korea.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Shine in the cruel nightLiSA

LiSA 'Shine in the Cruel Night' MUSIC CLIP

As a bridge for Japan–Korea cultural exchange, J-pop is spreading in Korea along with anime culture.

Released in July 2025, LiSA’s 24th single was also released in Korea as the theme song for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Infinity Castle Arc, Chapter 1: Akaza’s Return, and has become widely known under its Korean title, “잔혹한 밤에 빛나라” (Shine in the Cruel Night).

Combining Yuki Kajiura’s grand orchestration with LiSA’s powerful vocals, the song shines even in darkness, delivering a moving number about upholding bonds and conviction.

In Korea, it’s praised as a track that merges seamlessly with the film’s world, with viewers saying, “I couldn’t stop crying during the ending.” It’s a song reaching a broad audience in Korea, far beyond just anime fans.

Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA（COVER：N.Flying）

N.Flying – Gurenge / LiSA (Cover) [Tried Singing]

This is the 15th single by singer LiSA, whose powerful vocals—so impressive she was nicknamed the “Avril Lavigne of Gifu” during her school days—and wide-ranging expressiveness captivate fans across different songs.

Known as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which became a social phenomenon, the track was such a smash hit in 2020 that there was hardly a day you didn’t hear it.

In South Korea, its popularity is evident from numerous cover performances, including one by the five-member rock band N.Flying, as well as countless “I tried singing” videos posted by amateurs and professionals alike.

Beyond Korea, there are covers in more than 15 languages, and buoyed by the anime’s popularity, the song drew global attention.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Good job, summer!HALCALI

HALCALI / Otsukare SUMMER (Official Music Video)

A track from the 2003 album “HALCALI Bacon” has gone massively viral in Korea thanks to TikTok.

HALCALI is a Tokyo-born female duo known for their breezy pop-rap that blends J-pop and hip-hop.

This song is a summer anthem that captures the bittersweet feelings of a girl reluctant to let the season end, and it’s affectionately known in Korea as “수고했어, 여름” (“Good Job, Summer”).

Produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka of Fantastic Plastic Machine, the stylish track pairs lyrics steeped in tender crushes and nostalgia, creating a retro-cute vibe somewhere between city pop and J-hip-hop.

It even entered Spotify’s Viral Chart in Korea in 2025, accelerating its reappraisal alongside the Heisei retro boom.

It’s perfect for those moments when you want to say ‘well done’ to yourself at summer’s end.

in the poolUshio Shisuke

[Piano] in the pool — Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc OST / Kensuke Ushio #piano #anime

As the feature film Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc draws over 3 million moviegoers in South Korea and earns an overwhelming 96% overall satisfaction rating, the song from that unforgettable scene—where Denji and Reze briefly savor their youth in a nighttime pool—has been drawing significant attention.

Composed by Kensuke Ushio, the piece possesses a mysterious resonance where warmth and chill coexist; with piano and strings quietly intertwined, it gradually swells into waves of powerful emotion in a masterful structure.

Numerous loop videos and piano covers have been posted on YouTube, and while many listen to it as study BGM, it’s cherished as a track that stirs bittersweet feelings for Reze.

It’s a memorable song that makes you want to relive the film’s afterglow again and again in everyday life.

Goodbye-byeTomioka Ai

Ai Tomioka – Goodbye Bye (Music Video)

Ai Tomioka’s “Goodbye Bye” stands out for its lyrics that show strength even while bearing deep wounds from love.

It’s a must-listen, having charted on Spotify’s Korea Viral chart and Billboard’s Japan Songs chart.

Her first street performance in Korea and her TikTok videos with Korean subtitles have drawn attention, and it’s no wonder the YouTube comments section is buzzing in multiple languages.

Her collaboration with Yuuri has further broadened her appeal, uniting music fans in both countries.