A poignant, heart-touching K-pop song. A bittersweet track that resonates with many different emotions.
There are many Korean songs and K-pop tracks that stay close to those bittersweet feelings.
Whether it’s a gently sung melody or a delivery rich with emotion, they draw you deeper into the world of the song.
There are also many ballads that truly tighten your chest and make your heart ache as you listen.
Not just “sadness,” but nostalgia, memories of days that won’t return, and a tender kind of poignancy—here are some ‘setsuna’ songs that capture a range of emotions.
Please listen while reflecting on your own circumstances.
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Poignant K-pop songs that touch the heart: “Setsuna” tracks that resonate with many emotions (71–80)
I hate youJung In
Have you ever hated someone because you loved them too much? When love can’t be digested, it can turn into hatred, can’t it? Perhaps that just means the love was that immense.
Jongin’s “I Hate You” is a song that expresses the feelings of even experiencing hatred precisely because of love.
Ruin My LifeBOYNEXTDOOR
This is the first OST track released in October 2025 by the boy group BOYNEXTDOOR, produced by Zico.
Written specifically for Tving’s dating reality show ‘Transit Love 4,’ the song explores themes of breakups and the end of relationships while poignantly portraying the lingering feelings that won’t fade.
Co-written and co-produced by Joohyoung and Kyle Wong, it’s a pop ballad that delicately captures emotional fluctuations.
Its lyrical quality resonates with the complex emotions of the show’s cast, and it’s sure to touch the hearts of those who have experienced heartbreak or separation.
Perfect for quiet nights when you want to listen closely or as background music when you’re sorting through your feelings.
BabyBE’O, Paul Blanco
A collaborative number by B.I and Paul Blanco, who also teamed up on “Summer” in 2022.
You’ll feel yourself drawn into its melodious sound.
Though it’s a breakup song that sings of lingering feelings, its straightforward, earnest message is relatable—even if you’re watching from a slight distance with a hazy gaze.
“If I fall in love again, I want it to be with you”—that special sentiment comes through.
The R&B-tinged track and the lyrics layered over music that feels almost autobiographical make it all the more heartrending, tightening your chest.
Please StayBTOB
A bittersweet ballad released by BTOB in October 2024.
The lingering attachment to a lost loved one and the hope of reunion are expressed as a “spark,” and the warm vocals of the four members resonate deeply.
Written and composed by Lee Minhyuk and others, with Peniel also involved in crafting the rap, the song showcases BTOB’s signature, emotion-rich sensibility.
Blending a weighty band sound with the members’ voices, this is a track we especially recommend to anyone who has experienced heartbreak or parting.
Time and TraceHa Hyun Sang
A medium-tempo tune you’ll want to listen to absentmindedly when your heart feels cloudy or you’re not in the best mood.
It’s the first release in five years from Ha Hyunsang, who won the audition program “Superband” as part of the team Hoppipolla.
Included on his 2023 debut full-length album, “Time and Trace.” It feels packed with the emptiness of time slipping away and all kinds of bittersweet emotions.
Still, his gentle vocals wrap up the pain and offer comfort.
Thank YouHyunJin
This is a song that blends the aching emotion of farewell with a warm sense of gratitude, resonating deeply with Hyunjin.
Formerly a member of LOONA and now active as part of Loossemble, she released this work in December 2024.
Set to an R&B-tinged melody, it quietly confesses the complex feelings that come after an unavoidable parting.
The beautiful music video, set against a winter backdrop, further enriches the song’s world.
It’s a recommended track for those times when you want to heal the pain of heartbreak or savor your gratitude for someone important.
Night ReminiscinLUNA
Debuting in 2009 as a sister group to Girls’ Generation and gaining popularity in Japan as well, f(x) featured Luna as the main vocalist.
Her 2018 solo track “Night Reminiscin,” a duet with fellow Korean male singer Yang Da Il, drew attention for that collaboration too.
It’s a simple piano-based ballad, yet their beautiful voices and the melody overwhelm you with a flood of emotion—even if you don’t understand the lyrics.
The inner landscape of the protagonist, who spends night after night swaying with feelings for a loved one that will likely never reach them, is profoundly lonely and sorrowful.
If you’ve had similar experiences, be careful not to empathize so deeply that it becomes painful.
