[Korean Oldies · Genre-Free] Songs from Korea you’ll want to listen to now—nostalgic Korean tracks
Beginning with Korean popular music like trot and moving through the groundbreaking work of Seo Taiji and Boys—hailed by some as “the cultural president”—Korean pop opened up new horizons.
Thanks to pioneers like the idol groups H.O.T.
and S.E.S., we also saw an increase in freer, more open forms of expression.
In Japan, hit songs by groups such as Girls’ Generation, KARA, and Wonder Girls—who helped spark the K-pop movement—were once fondly shared on social media under the hashtag “#KoreanOldies.” In this article, we’ve chosen to spotlight timeless masterpieces and nostalgic hits that defined eras in Korean music, regardless of genre.
Let’s take our time and enjoy these Korean oldies—still fresh and wonderful even today!
- [Korean popular music] Popular trot songs. Masterpieces by trot singers.
- Hit songs that colored Korea's 1990s: Kayo (K-pop) pop music.
- [K-POP] Korean songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic crowd-pleasers
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
- [Exquisite Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- Trendy songs in South Korea: A roundup of hit songs
- Korean karaoke songs: beloved tunes from popular ballads to K-pop
- [Japan–Korea Spotlight Again] Feature on Korean Enka Singers, Trot Singers
- Guaranteed to hit repeat: Energetic K-pop songs that will lift your mood
- Nothing but famous and hit songs! K-pop tracks recommended for Gen Z
- [2026] Cool! K-pop dance tracks that make you want to move
- K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance
[Korean Oldies · Genre-Free] Songs You Want to Hear Now! Nostalgic Korean Tracks (21–30)
Four-beat (quadruple meter)Song Daegwan (Son Deguan)
A timeless masterpiece that weaves together wistfulness and hope for life is delivered by trot legend Song Dae-kwan.
Set to a four-beat rhythm, his signature song expresses universal emotions—joy and sorrow, love and parting—and was released in 1998.
Hailing from Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, Song Dae-kwan has been recognized as a leading figure in the trot genre since his debut in 1967.
This melodic work, which interlaces the many facets of life into the everyday cadence of 4/4 time, continues to resonate across generations.
From the beginning until now (from the beginning to the present)Ryu
The drama Winter Sonata, which sparked a social phenomenon even in Japan, is known for its theme song From the Beginning Until Now (처음부터 지금까지).
It’s a ballad that portrays a man and woman who must part ways despite being in love.
Enhanced by Ryu’s silky voice, the song is crafted to move the heart.
Whether you’ve heard it before or not, take this opportunity to give it a listen.
By the way, this song is also Ryu’s debut single.
[Korean Oldies, Genre-Free] Songs You Want to Listen to Now! Nostalgic Korean Tracks (31–40)
Reflection of You in Your SmileShin Sunghun (Shin Sunhun)
Shin Seung Hun is a quintessential Korean singer-songwriter who has remained popular for many years.
He debuted in 1990 and immediately scored a hit with 1.4 million copies sold.
He continued to release hit tunes and has been loved by many fans up to the present.
One of his classic songs is “Reflection of You in Your Smile.” It’s similar to Japan’s “Get Along Together” or “Mou Ichido Yoru wo Tomete,” crafted as a sweet pop ballad.
MiracleSUPER JUNIOR
A bright, breezy melody that fuses bubblegum pop with dance music, this track from SUPER JUNIOR’s debut album “SuperJunior05” will get your heart racing.
A powerhouse presence in the Korean music scene, they released this youthful pop number in December 2005.
Its energetic rhythm and approachable choreography captivated many fans, sparking major buzz abroad as well, including reaching No.
1 on Thailand’s Channel V chart.
With lyrics themed around a miraculous encounter and love, the song delivers warm hope to listeners.
It’s the perfect pick when you want to charge up with positive energy or lift your spirits.
The seaUP
A refreshing number where a shimmering touch of summer shines over an addictive beat.
UP, a mixed-gender group, released this track as a single from their album “Second Birth” in April 1997.
As one of their signature dance tunes, it earned multiple No.
2 spots on music programs.
In subsequent remakes, Koyote’s 2020 cover reached No.
47 on Korea’s K-pop Hot 100 chart, and in August 2024, ZEROBASEONE’s version climbed to No.
8 on the download chart—proof that the song continues to be loved across generations.
It’s a perfect pick for summer beach days or as an upbeat driving BGM for an active holiday.
몽키매직 (Monkey Magic)Dr. Lee
Lee Pak-sa, the artist who pioneered the uniquely Korean genre known as techno-trot, made waves with his groundbreaking style that combines traditional trot music with danceable synthesizer sounds.
This work, a cover of a Japanese anime song, captivates with its energetic beat and catchy melody lines.
In his performance on episode 3 of Mnet’s show Trot X, he enthralled the audience with flamboyant costumes and distinctive dance moves.
It became a song loved by a wide range of listeners, from younger generations to older audiences.
It’s the perfect track to lift your spirits—whether on a weekend drive or at a party.
Don’t Leave MeJ.Y. Park
Park Jin-young, the South Korean singer-songwriter better known as J.Y.
Park or JYP.
Many people in Japan may be familiar with him as well.
He has been active since the 1990s and continues to work as an entrepreneur today.
Among his works, the song I especially recommend is “Don’t Leave Me.” It’s a memorable track with production that evokes the club scene of the time and smooth vocals.
It’s perfect for those who enjoy revival-style works that capture the feel of a bygone era.