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 (31–40)
편지 (The Letter)Kimu Gwanjin
This is a moving ballad by Kim Kwang-jin, a singer-songwriter highly acclaimed in Korea.
His warm, gentle voice and a simple yet heartfelt melody are truly captivating.
The piano and strings weave together with emotional richness, offering a calm yet deeply touching experience.
Included on his third album, “It’s Me,” released in 2000, this piece has been covered by many artists and remains beloved.
Its natural expression of feeling and universal themes enrich the song’s storytelling world.
It’s a track that quietly stays by your side when your heart wavers or when you’re thinking of someone—one I highly recommend you listen to.
응급실IZI
This is the OST from the 2005 broadcast romantic comedy drama “Delightful Girl Chun-hyang,” which is based on a classic novel.
The song is by the rock band izi.
It has been covered by many artists, including BTS’s V, and has been sung and passed down for a long time.
It’s a generational favorite among people in their 20s to 40s and has long been a karaoke staple.
The love song’s lyrics, about saying and doing things that don’t match your true feelings, are highly relatable.
The melody is gentle and a standard ballad, making it easy to embrace.
FOREVERD.O
A ballad that fuses a heartwarming melody with delicate vocals.
D.O., the main vocalist of EXO, released it in April 2025 as part of the OST for the drama “Someday, a Wise Resident Life.” The gentle tones of piano and strings leave a strong impression, and the song richly conveys the importance of supporting one another.
D.O.’s soft voice combined with the melodic lines delivers an even deeper emotional impact.
It harmonizes beautifully with the drama’s moving story and is sure to resonate with viewers.
It’s a wonderful track that makes you want to cherish the bonds you share with your loved ones.
The WinterHYB(허용별) (허각, 신용재, 임한별)
A new Korean unit, HYB, gently paints a winter scene with this song.
Written and composed by Shin Yong Jae, it features a heartwarming melody and poignant lyrics that leave a lasting impression.
The rich voices of the three members offer a gentle warmth, as if nestling close in the cold wind.
Formed in 2023, HYB consists of Huh Gak, Shin Yong Jae, and Lim Han Byul (aka OneStar), whose distinct personalities blend beautifully.
It’s a track that lets you relive memories with someone special, like softly falling snow piling up with tenderness.
Perfect for warming your heart during the cold season.
I WillHa Dong Qn
Ha Dong-kyun, known as one of Korea’s leading ballad singers for his memorable melodies and deeply moving lyrics.
Released in April 2021, this work is a remake of a song by the group 7Dayz, with whom he debuted in 2002—revived after 22 years.
His rich, resonant voice beautifully conveys lingering feelings for a lost love and a poignant sense of sorrow.
You can feel the struggle of trying to move forward while being bound by memories of the past, and it’s truly heart-stirring.
It’s the perfect track for moments when you want to remember someone important or need a song that stays close to your heart.
K-pop that touches the heart: Classic ballads by Korean male artists (41–50)
Let you go(이별은 늘 그렇게) (Duet. Jeong Eun Ji(정은지))Ho Gaku (heogak)
This is a song released in 2019 by Huh Gak and Jung Eun-ji, who had collaborated several times before.
I’ve heard they’re close in private life as well, and that Jung Eun-ji even did this song without a fee! Their vocal collaboration is truly beautiful, so please give it a listen.
By the way, it’s a very heart-wrenching breakup song, so it might just bring you to tears.
In My DreamSUPER JUNIOR
SUPER JUNIOR, a group whose members have each long led the Korean entertainment scene as individuals as well, released this song on their 4th album, BONAMANA, in 2010.
It’s a ballad that chronicles the feelings after a breakup.
The narrator dreams of peacefully drifting into sleep and spending happy moments there, only to wake and find their lover no longer by their side—overflowing with that kind of poignant sorrow.
The wish to simply fall into an eternal sleep seeps into the hollow left in the heart by lost love.
Their vocal performances, too, draw you in and make you empathize, as if being gently wrapped in the emotion.