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K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance

A special feature on K-pop love songs recommended for anyone who wants to listen to Korean romance tracks!

Korean love songs often have lyrics that are even sweeter than their melodies, and they’re sure to make both girls and guys swoon.

Beyond the cuteness of songs that express feelings of love straightforwardly, tracks about unrequited love or the emotions after a breakup are also deeply moving.

Above all, the uniquely Korean sense of musicality and overflowing emotion will surely resonate across borders with many listeners.

In this list, we’ve picked out songs that sing about love in many different forms.

May your feelings reach the ones you care about!

K-POP and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture Korean views on romance (111–120)

LetterBaek A

[MV] 백아 – 시차 / Baek A, Letter
LetterBaek A

Love isn’t all fun and games, is it? This song, which delicately captures those fragile emotions, was released in May 2024 by Baek A, who delivers a retro-folk sound.

With lyrics and situations that anyone nursing a crush can’t help but relate to—jealousy, fluttering hearts—it’s achingly poignant and tightens your chest.

Also keep an eye on how Choi Jong-hyop, who drew attention with “Eye Love You,” portrays the world of this song.

K-POP and Korean love songs: Love songs that capture the Korean view of romance (121–130)

My Ultimate First Love10cm

[MV] 10CM / 십센치 – 부동의 첫사랑 (My Ultimate First Love)
My Ultimate First Love10cm

A love song released in May 2023 by Kwon Jeong-yeol of 10cm, a popular figure in Korean pop music.

With lyrics about first love, it brings back those fresh, innocent feelings.

You can’t help but relate to the pure urge to do something for the one you like and to give it your all, and the richness of that affection will make your heart flutter.

It’s a cute track that can be enjoyed from either a male or female perspective.

Its refreshing acoustic sound makes it easy to listen to and suitable for any occasion.

It also carries the impression of old memories suddenly giving you strength, and I think it will give courage in both romantic moments and everyday life.

어디야? (Where are you?)CLC

CLC(씨엘씨) – ‘어디야?(Where are you?)’ Official Music Video
어디야? (Where are you?)CLC

CLC is a seven-member girl group with members from South Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

The group’s name is an abbreviation of “CrystaL Clear,” meaning clean and transparent like crystal.

True to the name, all the members exude a clear, pristine quality in both visuals and vocals.

Their song “Where Are You?” (어디야?) is a poignant love song that chronicles feelings toward a lover who is gradually drifting away.

It vividly and painfully captures the emotions of a woman who senses the signs of a breakup she doesn’t want to acknowledge and is filled with anxiety.

Ordinary ConfessionLEE MU JIN

[MV] LEE MU JIN(이무진) _ Ordinary Confession(잠깐 시간 될까)
Ordinary ConfessionLEE MU JIN

A mid-tempo number brimming with the positive flutter of being in love.

It’s a 2023 song by singer-songwriter Lee Mujin, who rose to fame through the audition show “Sing Again: The Unknown Singer” and his hit “Traffic Light.” A confession song with an adorably gentle, roundabout way of asking.

From Lee Mujin’s crisp, clear vocals to the bouncy melody, it lifts your spirits! While it mainly captures the feelings right before confessing, it also softly connects to the emotions of just starting to date.

Highly recommended if you like cute love songs!

Tick-TackILLIT

ILLIT (아일릿) ‘Tick-Tack’ Official MV
Tick-TackILLIT

An irresistibly catchy pop tune by the girl group ILLIT.

Featured on their October 2024 mini-album “I’LL LIKE YOU,” the track stands out for its uncompromising electronic sound and chiptune elements reminiscent of ticking clock hands.

The lyrics, which compare the tangled feelings of a girl in love to the frantic chaos inside a closet, are highly relatable.

Catchy choreography—like the TikTok-famous “Peekaboo Dance”—adds to its appeal.

In November, the song swept 12 trophies across major Korean music shows, and an English version in collaboration with overseas artists was also released.

It’s the perfect track for anyone feeling the flutter of a new crush or torn about how they want to present themselves.

You (=I)BOL4

A mellow, wistful R&B-tinged track whose sweet, bittersweet emotions quietly resonate in the heart.

It’s a song included on BOL4’s 2016 album “RED PLANET.” While it adorably portrays the wavering feelings of a woman in love, an emotional mood also seeps through, making it perfect for times when you’re troubled by love or want to relax and unwind.

The acoustic sound and light, breezy melody create a soundscape that’s also great for nighttime drives or quiet moments.

Petal (꽃잎점)A Pink

[MV] Apink(에이핑크) _ Petal(꽃잎점)
Petal (꽃잎점)A Pink

Petal is packed with Apink’s overflowing cuteness.

It’s a track from their second full album, PINK MEMORY, with lyrics themed around a flower fortune-telling motif.

Slightly bittersweet and dreamlike, it captures the flutter of first love with exquisite nuance, wrapping you in a tenderness that recalls youthful innocence.

The members’ whispery vocals are beautiful, too, enveloping you in a pure, cleansing feeling.

The Japanese version of the lyrics is wonderful as well, so be sure to give that a listen.