K-pop that touches the heart: masterful ballads by Korean male artists
What kind of songs move you?
When you hear a male vocalist who effortlessly moves from deep lows to falsetto, with a voice that wraps around you, it brings a soothing sense of comfort that sinks right in.
Many Korean singers, in particular, have a passionate, emotionally rich style that truly grips the heart.
Among them, we’ve carefully selected standout ballads by male vocalists!
From intimate songs that feel close to everyday life to ballads with a grand, expansive scale—you’re sure to be deeply moved, to the point of holding back tears!
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K-pop that touches the heart: Iconic ballads by Korean male artists (21–30)
If It Were MeNa Yoon Kwon & D.O.
Veteran balladeer Na Yoon Kwon—unrivaled when it comes to singing aching love—and D.O., the main vocalist of EXO, have realized a dream collaboration.
The beloved ballad that drew attention as part of the 2004 drama Crown Prince’s First Love OST and was included on the album Addiction has been reborn with a fresh touch in November 2025.
Its plaintive portrayal of unrequited love—the heart-wrenching thought, “If only I were the one by their side”—tightens the chest.
Na Yoon Kwon’s deep, resonant voice intertwines with D.O.’s warm yet wistful vocals, drawing listeners into an even more dramatic development.
It’s perfect for those long autumn nights when you feel lonely and want to quietly lose yourself in the music.
No Words Can SayRoy Kim
A digital single released in October 2025 by Roy Kim, who has firmly established himself as a singer-songwriter.
Written and composed by Kim himself, the track serves as a sequel of sorts to his 2024 love narrative “If You Ask Me What Love Is (내게 사랑이 뭐냐고 물어본다면).” From a chance encounter grows a fateful conviction; the piece gently weaves an inexpressible gratitude and the warmth of love through acoustic guitar and his tender tone.
Eschewing flashy build-ups, its appeal lies in a storytelling style that savors silence and space.
With mature lyricism that sings of embracing scars and loss as the essence of true love, it gently loosens the listener’s heart.
A sophisticated love ballad, perfect for listening alone on a quiet night.
Destiny (2025)Monday Kiz, Lee Yi Kyung
An emotional duet ballad by Monday Kiz, the Korean vocal group renowned for their overwhelming vocal prowess, and actor Lee Yi Kyung.
The track is the title song of the single “Monday Kiz’s Footprints Vol.1 (with Lee Yi Kyung),” released in July 2025, and is a remake of a beloved classic originally featured on the OST of the 2006 drama “Wolf (늑대).” It seems to portray the aching hearts of two people irresistibly drawn together by inescapable fate.
The contrast between Monday Kiz’s soul-stirring vocals and Lee Yi Kyung’s emotionally rich singing is deeply moving.
The grand harmonies immediately draw listeners into the world of the story.
It’s perfect for a night when you want to immerse yourself in a dramatic ballad—give it a listen.
GoodbyePaku Hyoshin (Pak Hyoshin)
Singer-songwriter Park Hyo-shin has an irresistibly appealing, soothingly soulful voice, and his talent is highly acclaimed in Korea.
When faced with a breakup, isn’t the number one phrase we don’t want to say “goodbye”? The moment we say that word, it feels as if everything truly comes to an end.
It does end, of course, but admitting it is painful.
I deeply relate to the feeling of being unable to erase those happy memories tucked away in the corners of our minds.
ButterflyBTS
Although BTS has strong hip-hop influences, they also have a beautiful vocal line, so I recommend this kind of ballad as well.
It begins with the whisper-like vocals of the youngest, Jungkook, and V, and builds into an increasingly romantic song.
It compares a beloved person to a beautiful butterfly that seems like it might fall apart if you touch it.
The sentimental rap from the rap line adds a nice accent, too.
The Way To Say GoodbyeOnestar
If you translate the title of this song into Japanese, it becomes “The Road That Leads to Goodbye.” The title alone already exudes a deeply sad, poetic mood.
There are countless songs from the perspective of the one who got dumped, but this one is a bit unusual in that it’s written from the viewpoint of the one doing the dumping.
It expresses the man’s anguish and feelings of apology as he leaves behind his girlfriend, who is grieving the breakup.
It makes you wonder if there was some dramatic turn of events that compelled him to end things so decisively.
Still With You정국 (Jung Kook)
BTS is a seven-member boy group that enjoys high popularity in Japan.
Among its members, Jungkook—who has a particularly large fanbase—released the solo song “Still With You,” a beautiful ballad whose poignant lyrics—“I want to walk this path with you; please call my name just once more”—touch the heart.
His richly expressive vocals, reminiscent in some ways of Japanese kayōkyoku, pair perfectly with the nostalgic guitar sound to create a very comforting feeling.
