Summary of Japanese singers popular in Korea: Notable J-POP and artists
Many of you may have heard the news that J-pop is booming in South Korea.
Korean artists and idols have long drawn attention by covering Japanese songs, among other activities.
Triggered by various sparks—like old songs being rediscovered or buzz from music shows—many singers have become beloved through Japan–Korea exchanges.
In this article, we’ll feature Japanese singers who are gaining attention in South Korea.
It might also be fun to focus on how they differ from those in Japan.
Let’s dive right in!
- A J-POP song highly popular in South Korea [with a Korean-language cover too!]
- Ranking of Popular Japanese Music/J-POP Artists Among People in Their 20s [2026]
- Trendy songs in South Korea: A roundup of hit songs
- Korean karaoke songs: beloved tunes from popular ballads to K-pop
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- A Korean song you often hear on TikTok. Trending K-pop.
- [K-POP] Korean songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic crowd-pleasers
- K-POP Popularity Rankings [2026]
- Today's Recommended J-POP: A Collection of Japanese Hit Songs You’ll Want to Listen to Today
- [Introduction to Male Korean Artists] A Collection of K-POP Groups, Singers, and Bands
- Jay Park Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- [Korean Oldies · Genre-Free] Songs from Korea you’ll want to listen to now—nostalgic Korean tracks
- A Classic of Korean City Pop [KOREAN CITY POP]
Roundup of Japanese singers popular in Korea: Notable J‑POP and artists (11–20)
RADWIMPS
Amid the J-pop boom in South Korea, RADWIMPS have been drawing particular attention.
They captured the hearts of many listeners with their theme songs for Makoto Shinkai’s film “Your Name.” Since the movie’s release in 2016, RADWIMPS have cemented their recognition and popularity in Korea.
Their emotive melodies and heartfelt lyrics have deeply resonated with Korean listeners.
Their passionately charged live performances are also captivating and irresistible to watch.
RADWIMPS’s music has the power to reach deep into the heart, serving as a wonderful bridge that conveys Japanese culture and sensibilities.
They’re a perfect fit for those in Korea who are interested in Japanese culture or seeking moving, emotionally stirring music!
Matsuda Seiko
Seiko Matsuda, a legend of Japan’s idol pop scene, has enjoyed a long career backed by tremendous accomplishments and popularity.
During the recent boom in Showa-era pop revivals, the excellence of her songs has been rediscovered.
Among her many classics, “Blue Coral Reef” stands out with a striking sense of freshness.
NewJeans’ Hanni, a member of the girl group immensely popular in both Japan and Korea, covered this song at their first Tokyo Dome concert! The response thrilled not only NewJeans fans but many others as well.
Thanks in part to that impact, the original track has been rapidly gaining listeners in Korea.
Combined with the growing attention to city pop—also highly regarded in Korea—Seiko’s own popularity seems poised to cross national borders.
Utada Hikaru
Hikaru Utada enjoys great popularity not only in Japan but also in South Korea.
In particular, her 1999 debut album, First Love, gained explosive support across Asia.
Her sweet, translucent voice and delicate, emotionally rich melodies captured the hearts of many listeners.
Her music incorporates a variety of genres, such as R&B and dance pop, and its innovative sound remains fresh to this day.
Paired with lyrics that carry meaningful messages, her songs have a universal appeal that makes them easy to recommend to anyone, in any situation!
tuki.
Singer-songwriter tuki.
burst onto the scene like a comet.
The synergy between their steely, resolute voice and the power of their songs resonates with raw emotion.
From contemplative ballads to buoyant, up-tempo tracks, they express it all with ease—one of the next-generation artists to watch.
Their September 2023 release, “Bansanka,” steadily caught on and spread their name far and wide.
The momentum has only grown in 2024, continuing on an upward trajectory.
Collaborations across various tracks with the hugely popular Yuuri, along with covers by a range of vocalists such as Han of Stray Kids, have further fueled their rising popularity in South Korea.
DECO*27
As a pioneer of Vocaloid culture, DECO*27 has captivated many listeners with a unique worldview and emotionally rich lyrics.
Starting activity on Niconico in 2008, they gained popularity with songs that fuse polished pop, rock, and electronica.
A track released in 2010 became the first GUMI song to surpass 10 million views.
On YouTube, they established a solid presence, achieving the first 1 million subscribers for a Vocaloid-focused channel.
The 2024 release “Monitoring” was particularly a hit in Korea, where Vocaloid is especially popular.
DECO*27 has also written songs for artists such as Ko Shibasaki, Shoko Nakagawa, and Ado, showcasing a wide range of work.
Their distinctive world-building—interweaving bittersweet melancholy and sweetness—along with lyrics that resonate deeply, are a perfect fit for music fans seeking relatability in themes of love and human relationships.
eill
Singer-songwriter eill, who draws not only from Black music but also has roots in K-pop, began performing under her current name in 2018 and made her major-label debut in 2021.
She has written songs for EXID and penned the Japanese lyrics for IVE’s “Take It,” making her an artist with strong ties to K-pop.
In Korea, where technical skill is often highly valued, her style—delivering high-quality, catchy music—feels especially compatible.
“Finale,” which served as the theme song for the film The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye, became a smash hit in Korea in 2023.
Her duet video with iKON’s Song is also wonderful—be sure to check it out.
She has held concerts in Korea as well, and it seems eill’s music will continue to spread even further!
Roundup of Japanese singers popular in Korea: Noteworthy J-pop and artists (21–30)
Fuji Kaze
Fujii Kaze is a young, exceptionally talented artist from Okayama Prefecture, whose music blends a distinctive city-pop flavor with a poignant sense of Japanese nostalgia to create something fresh.
Winning “Best New Asian Artist Japan” at the 2020 MAMA Awards in Korea further boosted his recognition.
His improvised piano performances and moving chord arrangements transcend language barriers and resonate deeply.
Every song has a way of staying close to the listener’s heart and stirring emotion, which is likely why he continues to captivate fans in Korea.