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!
- Cute K-pop and Korean songs: heartwarming, energizing, and heart-throbbing tunes
- Stylish K-pop and Korean songs. Songs with a nice vibe.
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- A poignant, heart-touching K-pop song. A bittersweet track that resonates with many different emotions.
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K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that capture the Korean view of romance (201–210)
A little bit moreJINHO (PENTAGON), Rothy
This is a magnificent ballad where piano and strings are elegantly interwoven, released in June 2018 as part of the OST for the drama “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?”.
Jinho, the main vocalist of PENTAGON, delivers powerful high notes that blend beautifully with solo singer Rothy’s clear, crystalline voice.
Together, they carefully portray the delicate emotions of a couple who have just fallen in love.
The song was used in memorable scenes throughout the drama, gently narrating the protagonists’ subtle feelings and resonating with many viewers.
It’s perfect not only for those harboring bittersweet feelings of love, but also as background music for spending time with someone special.
물 만난 물고기(Fish in the water)AKMU (Akdong Musician)
A song that soothes the heart when you listen to it.
Using the sea as a motif, it portrays the shifting emotions of a broken heart.
It’s hard to classify it as a love song, but the melody is gentle and refreshing.
The lover who drifted away from me became the sea.
Having become the sea, they are now out of reach, and the song quietly accepts that.
Rather than being emotional, it calmly reflects on the heart, which is beautiful.
Hard To LoveBOL4
Bolbbalgan4, a female artist known in Korea as the “digital queen” and a regular at the top of the charts.
This song feels like you’re speaking to a beloved boyfriend—or to your own diary—so the lyrics slip right into your ears.
The title means “A Relationship Where Only I’m Not Okay,” and it’s how you feel when things don’t go well with your boyfriend.
You think, “Why is it only me?” Standing before a breakup—sad, anxious, unable to make sense of what’s happening—the aching feeling rises up, one that everyone has experienced at least once.
이렇게 좋아해 본 적이 없어요BOYNEXTDOOR
A tie-in song for the webtoon “Girl’s World” by the boy group BOYNEXTDOOR, who debuted in 2023.
It’s a medium-tempo ballad distinguished by lyrics that trace a sweet, bittersweet first love and a clear, gentle melodic line.
Their tender vocals further enhance the webtoon’s worldview.
Since its release in March 2025, it has been a major topic on social media.
In the not-too-distant future, it’s sure to fill listeners’ hearts with warmth.
It’s the perfect track to soundtrack memories with someone special in the season when the arrival of spring can be felt.
Re: Thinkin’ About YouH1-KEY& JOSH CULLEN
This song portrays the end of a mature romance and was released in collaboration with Josh Cullen of the Filipino idol group SB19 in November 2024.
Within its warm, pop-tinged atmosphere, the lingering feelings for a former lover are expressed with aching poignancy.
H1-KEY’s emotive vocals blend perfectly with Josh Cullen’s call-and-response style rap, resulting in a deeply resonant piece.
The track is a remix of a song H1-KEY released in January of the same year.
It captures realistic, complex emotions and leaves a profound impression on listeners.
It’s a recommended listen when you want to reminisce about love or find the strength to move on from a cherished person.
Good Day (좋은 날)IU
IU, known for her emotionally rich vocals, delivers a masterpiece of unrequited love in her signature song “Good Day.” Beneath its bright melody, the lyrics brim with the inner conflict of a heart in love.
The soaring high notes in the chorus, in particular, grip listeners and have the power to transform the atmosphere in an instant.
The lyrics, which vividly reflect Korean perspectives on romance, resonate with many listeners regardless of gender.
Singing of the bittersweetness of one-sided love, “Good Day” can be seen as a song that symbolizes the wide spectrum of romantic themes depicted in K-pop.
Cocktail LoveKyoung Seo
A number released in March 2024 by Kyungseo, a singer-songwriter from South Korea.
It’s a medium-tempo ballad with a soothing acoustic guitar tone.
The lyrics delicately capture the beauty of love and the turbulence of the heart, leaving a strong impression.
It’s perfect for savoring the thrill of falling in love or basking in a romantic mood.
It quickly gained popularity after its release, drawing attention with a performance on MBC Music Core in April.
You’ll find yourself drawn in by Kyungseo’s emotive vocals and relatable lyrics.
The Best Thing I Ever DidTwice
An alternative R&B, heartwarming winter song from TWICE! During the holiday season, a December that used to feel lonely turns into a special memory thanks to meeting someone irreplaceable…
The lyrics honestly convey gratitude and happiness—“Meeting you was the best thing that happened to me this year”—and they gently sink into your heart.
This track is the title song of the special album “The Year of ‘Yes’,” released in December 2018, and their performance at the Golden Disc Awards in January 2019 was moving as well! The music video, featuring the members spending warm moments amid Mongolia’s majestic nature, perfectly matches the song’s world and is simply wonderful.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to in the cold season while thinking of someone dear.
HashtagggAPOKI
APOKI, who is breaking boundaries as Korea’s first virtual artist, has released a new track from her first album, Earth Space Time, which dropped in November 2023.
This song, too, showcases APOKI’s refined musicality and stylish flair.
Using hashtags as a theme, it intertwines the addictive pull of social media with the growing feelings of romance.
The assertive “I want you to come see me” attitude paired with the cool sound creates a striking balance.
It’s perfect not only when you’re in love, but it also seems like a great fit as background music.
Love storyBOL4(볼빨간사춘기)
“Love story” is a cute song that’s perfect for relaxing.
It’s a medium-tempo number by the stylish and ever-popular BOL4, included on their 2022 mini-album “Seoul.” From the richly textured guitar intro, you’re drawn right into its world.
It paints a sweet moment like chatting away with someone you love, and the whole vibe of the track is simply adorable.
It also makes a great BGM pick for nights when the moon and stars are shining beautifully.