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.
- 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
- [K-POP] Korean 'yami' songs that fit a blue mood
- K-pop and Korean songs that deeply resonate when you're sad
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- Tearjerker K-pop ballads: Korean songs that will make you cry
- K-pop that touches the heart: masterful ballads by Korean male artists
- Stylish K-pop and Korean songs. Songs with a nice vibe.
- K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance
- K-pop that touches the heart: iconic ballads by Korean female artists
- Nothing but famous and hit songs! K-pop tracks recommended for Gen Z
- Various K-pop breakup songs [relatability, next steps, poignancy]
- Popular K-pop and Korean songs that brighten up YouTube Shorts
A collection of soul-stirring, bittersweet K-POP songs that resonate with many emotions (111–120)
Screen Time ft. Hoshi of SEVENTEENEpik High
A new song by EPIK HIGH, the unit that represents Korea’s hip-hop scene and celebrated their 20th debut anniversary in 2023.
Released in November 2023 as a collaboration with Hoshi from SEVENTEEN, it’s a heartbreak song about being unable to stop wondering, “How are they doing?” after a breakup.
Lyrics built around screens—a concept unique to the smartphone era—deepen the sense of relatability.
Though the song says “I’m okay,” it feels like a brave front, slowly seeping in.
It’s bittersweet: while wishing the other person happiness, your chest tightens at the reality that they’re living happily with someone who isn’t you.
You Don’t Know My FeelingsFTISLAND
Included on the band FTISLAND’s 2009 album “Cross & Change.” It’s a heartbreaking number that draws you in with its beautiful minor-key melody.
The lyrics—wishing to never meet again—convey a crushing sense of pain.
The interlude, with its prominent guitar riff that seems to overflow with emotion, is also striking.
In the end, the singer wishes the other person happiness, but with a title like “Without Knowing How Others Feel,” it may also be expressing a note of resentment.
FizzledHyolyn
Hyorin, a singer who previously performed as a member of the girl group SISTER.
In addition to her solo work, she actively engages in collaborations and unit projects, and in 2023 she released the track “Fizzled.” It’s a song that expresses the feeling of being unable to forget the person you loved more than anyone.
Beautiful strings and synth-driven production intertwine with her clear, translucent vocals.
As the title suggests, it’s a sentimental breakup song that confronts emotions fizzling out like carbonation.
Stranger (feat. 10CM)Heize
A popular R&B artist known for her strong songwriting, Heize released this track in December 2023.
It’s the title song of her 8th mini-album, “Last Winter.” The lyrics portray a breakup, capturing the feelings of lovers who, due to small misunderstandings and a growing sense of discord, can no longer truly connect.
Deep down they want to stay together, but they keep hurting each other… In the end, they decide to part ways for each other’s sake, and the song conveys a lingering helplessness and remorse.
The emotive duet with 10cm’s Kwon Jung-yeol adds even more poignancy to the piece.
Lonely NightJUJU SECRET
A debut song by JUJU SECRET, a duo formed by Park Jin-joo and Lee Mi-joo from the variety show “What Shall We Do If We Play?” It has a retro vibe and a rhythmic melody, but it sings about the dilemma of wanting to erase memories of an ex-lover yet being unable to forget—and finding oneself drawn to them again.
From nuances like “I wanted to be the bad one, but I couldn’t,” you can tell the song’s protagonist is probably a kind person.
The lyrics brilliantly capture various shades of love and heartbreak, making it bittersweet yet encouraging.
No Sad Song For My Broken HeartK.will
This is a song released by the skilled vocalist K.will in June 2024.
It’s a poignant ballad themed around the pain of heartbreak and the journey of overcoming it, included on the album “All The Way.” K.will’s delicate vocals deeply resonate, conveying the sorrow of parting while also carrying a hopeful message.
The music video features Seo In-guk and Ahn Jae-hyun, unfolding an emotional storyline.
The gentle arrangement highlights K.will’s warm yet powerful voice.
It’s a song that stands by those dealing with breakups or emotional scars, offering empathy and comfort.
Remember MeKYUHYUN
Speaking of Kyuhyun, the youngest (maknae) of Super Junior under SM Entertainment, he’s renowned for his outstanding vocals even among K-pop idols.
This track is a poignant love song from his 2015 solo release, “Again, When the Fall Comes – The 2nd Mini Album.” No one dates with a breakup in mind, yet we inevitably go through such experiences.
The heartrending feelings of a man trying, with a fragile heart, to let go of the woman he still loves will move you to tears.
Loving someone, yet not being able to make it work—that’s just too painful!