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)
GOGAEWONWOO
It’s a heartwarming song that arrived like a birthday present to Wonwoo himself.
This is the first solo single from Wonwoo of the popular group SEVENTEEN’s Hip-Hop Team.
Unlike his usual powerful rap style, it’s a beautiful ballad centered on piano and strings.
The lyrics compare the challenges we face in life to “small mountain passes” and sing, “Let’s overcome them together,” serving as a message of gratitude and encouragement to fans.
Released in July 2025, the track radiates Wonwoo’s gentle personality and warms the heart as you listen.
It might give you strength when you’re striving toward something or need a quiet push on your back.
Endless EndingBEAST (HIGHLIGHT)
After nine years, the boy group HIGHLIGHT releases a moving ballad under the name BEAST.
It’s a pre-release track from their mini-album “From Real to Surreal,” which came out in April 2025, and it’s a poignant love song likened to a movie’s ending.
The song features contributions from Nu’Maker and other artists from Room01, capturing the group’s emotions as they overcame a name change and trademark issues.
Main vocalist Yang Yoseop’s crystal-clear voice and the members’ expressive harmonies resonate deeply.
It’s a gem of a ballad to listen to on nights when you want to dwell on past memories or in moments when you’re thinking of someone special.
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.
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.
심DK (디셈버)
Released on February 19, 2023 and enjoying a long run on the charts in Korea, “Heart (심)” is a love song that also remains a karaoke favorite.
DK, formerly of the duo December, remade Yang’s song originally released in 2002.
DK’s overwhelming vocal power is stunning, and the chorus bursts with emotion, sweeping you away.
This classic ballad will likely feel familiar and approachable to Japanese listeners as well.
It seems poised to become a staple ballad from 2023 onward.
K-pop that touches the heart: Classic ballads by Korean male artists (41–50)
Thorn Tree (가시나무)Cho Sonmo (josengumo)
The singer of this song, Jo Sung-mo, was once called the “Nation’s Little Brother” in Korea and is a popular artist.
His calm, gentle voice really resonates in the heart.
I’ve heard this song was originally a Christian hymn in Korea that was remade.
Through the remake, it became a love song.
It’s a song that makes you realize the importance of a beloved partner as a source of comfort, even in difficult times.
CirclesASTRO
A song by the idol group ASTRO themed around the eternal cycle of love and time.
It was released on February 23, 2024, to commemorate their 8th debut anniversary.
The lyrics, written by leader JinJin, express heartfelt gratitude to the fans.
Through the cycles of nature and the rhythms of daily life, the piece portrays universal themes of existence.
In the wake of a member’s passing, it departs from their previous pop-leaning sound to become a masterpiece that evokes profound nostalgia and powerful emotions.
A precious gift to fans, this track is filled with ASTRO’s passion for music.
Wrapped in warm, comforting vocals, it invites you to feel the cycles of life.