[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 Listen to Now! Nostalgic Korean Tracks (31–40)
난 행복해Isora (I Sora)
Lee Sora is a highly skilled singer-songwriter who is beloved by many fans.
She is an impressive female vocalist known for her remarkable ability to convey emotion and the stable vocal technique that supports it.
Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is ‘난 행복해’ (I’m Happy).
Her husky voice creates a sense of melancholy, while her unwaveringly clear high notes leave a strong impression.
The melody strongly reflects elements of Korean pop, yet her vocals evoke a Western influence.
It’s a beautiful work that shines through that contrast.
죽을만큼 아파서(feat. 멜로우)MC Mong
MC Mong is one of South Korea’s representative rappers.
His track “죽을만큼 아파서 (feat.
Mellow)” paints an achingly sad story.
It depicts a man who’s been dumped calling his ex and even waiting in front of her house, only to be coldly turned away.
Setting aside whether his actions are right or wrong, the emotions are carefully portrayed so listeners can truly empathize.
Also, the chorus featuring Mellow is a must-hear—the contrast with the rap parts is exquisite.
하루김범수
Singer Kim Bum-soo, who has worked on numerous Korean drama OSTs, is known for signature songs like “Bogoshipda (I Miss You).” His track “Haru (One Day),” included on his 2000 release Remember, is a ballad distinguished by its classical sound.
His overwhelming vocal prowess is truly soothing, and the delicate timbre of the strings is another highlight.
With its symphonic atmosphere, it’s a perfect song to listen to when you want to relax.
아로하Cool
Aloha, produced by the Korean music group Cool, who have been active since the 1990s.
Also featured on the soundtrack of the drama Hospital Playlist, this song is a love ballad that sings of endless affection for a cherished person.
Set to a light, acoustic guitar–driven band sound, its straightforward words of love are delivered with clarity.
The warm male vocals intertwine with a clear, airy female chorus, creating a soothing track with a beautiful melody line.
Why not listen to this K-pop song that perfectly matches a summer-set love story?
HopeH.O.T
As a first-generation force in the Korean idol scene, H.O.T.
is a group beloved by many K-pop artists and fans.
They’re known as a group that brought rap and dance into K-pop, with performances that resemble those of today’s idols.
Among their songs, one I especially recommend is Hope.
Strongly influenced by Black music, it features a sound closely aligned with the US R&B and hip-hop of the time.
[Korean Oldies · Genre-Free] Songs You Want to Hear Now! Nostalgic Korean Tracks (41–50)
REDHyunA
HyunA is a dance-pop singer and an idol who can also rap.
She is also known as a former member of the girl groups Wonder Girls and 4Minute.
Her solo release Red is a classic that won two awards at major Korean award ceremonies—the Golden Disc Awards and the Seoul Music Awards.
In the music video for this song, HyunA wears hot pants and a bunny-girl costume, and its provocative visuals also became a hot topic!
달팽이Panic
Panic is a Korean band known for their distinctive musical style that blends modern rock with alternative, techno sounds, and Black music.
They were hugely active in the 1990s and had a significant influence on today’s Korean rock scene.
Among their songs, a work I especially recommend is Dalpaengi (Snail).
This piece is a relaxed, piano-centered track, yet you can sense a rock tone in parts of the vocals.
It’s a perfect pick for those who love romantic ballads.