[K-R&B] A Special Feature on Classic Korean R&B Songs
In this article, we’re spotlighting Korean R&B!
When it comes to Korean music, many people probably think of idol groups and mainstream pop like K-pop.
You’ll also find R&B singers who often collaborate with those kinds of artists.
From timeless classics to fresh new releases, we’re introducing standout K-R&B tracks from a variety of artists, so feel free to check them out.
Chill vibes and subtly soothing tracks also leave a strong impression.
May you have a wonderful day with Korean R&B that suits your taste.
- Stylish K-pop and Korean songs. Songs with a nice vibe.
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- Ranking of popular songs by Crush, a leader in South Korea’s R&B scene
- A Classic of Korean City Pop [KOREAN CITY POP]
- Classic R&B songs perfect for summer: recommended popular tracks
- K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance
- K-pop to color your Instagram stories: recommended Korean songs
- [With Your Power] A List of Cool Songs by K‑pop Female Artists & Idols
- Popular K-pop and Korean songs that brighten up YouTube Shorts
- A J-POP song highly popular in South Korea [with a Korean-language cover too!]
- Guaranteed to hit repeat: Energetic K-pop songs that will lift your mood
- K-pop to listen to in winter: beautiful Korean songs that touch the heart
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
[K-R&B] Korean R&B Masterpiece Special (1–10)
THE GONLAN SONGSUMIN & Slom
Skillfully incorporating refined G-funk elements, this track is a superb R&B work born from the collaboration between Sumin and Slom.
Featured on the album “Miniseries” and released in September 2021, it compellingly portrays the push-and-pull and emotional fluctuations of romance.
Sumin’s distinctive vocals and Slom’s polished production fuse beautifully to create a memorable sonic world.
It won Best R&B & Soul Song at the 2022 Korean Music Awards.
A must-listen for those who relate to the awkwardness and confusion of love or are seeking top-tier K-R&B.
INVITATION (Feat. Gaeko)JUNNY
The seductive love song “INVITATION.” R&B artist Juni, who debuted in 2018, released it in July 2023.
He’s also composed for other artists, such as NCT’s “From Home.” Perhaps because of that background, this track feels instantly familiar, with distinctive turns of phrase that depict an affair.
Combined with Juni’s cool yet sultry vocals, it gently draws you in.
If you like R&B with a sexy atmosphere, this one will especially win you over.
Do What You DoBAEKHYUN, UMI, EL CAPITXN
An R&B duet that expresses the pain of parting with every fiber of its being.
The voices of Baekhyun, a powerhouse vocalist, and Umi, a Japanese-American artist gaining attention in the R&B scene, blend beautifully within a warm, analog soundscape.
Their delicate vocals gently embrace the complex emotions of trying to move forward while still holding onto lingering affection and regret.
Following Baekhyun’s 2024 album “Hello, World,” which achieved his best sales to date, this marks his first collaborative release in about four years.
Producer El Capitxn’s refined sound design also shines.
It’s a song that keeps you company on a quiet nighttime drive or in moments of quiet reflection.
[K-R&B] A Selection of Classic Korean R&B Songs (11–20)
Pandora (feat. SUMIN)Lym en
A gem of the Korean R&B scene woven from delicate melodies and refined sound.
Elements of neo-soul and electronica meld together to create a floating sensation, as if drifting in another dimension.
Lym en’s sweet, bittersweet vocals intertwine exquisitely with SUMIN’s distinctive voice, delivering an irresistibly lingering comfort to the ears.
Included as the fourth track on the EP “W,” released in November 2023, this song offers a two-and-a-half-minute musical experience that delicately traces emotional rises and falls.
Lym en’s bilingual prowess shines through in expressive English–Korean lyrics that only an artist with such dual fluency could achieve.
It’s the perfect song for a night drive, a quiet moment in a café on a rainy day, or times when you want to let your thoughts wander.
Good MorningBAEKHYUN
An R&B number that evokes the start of a sweet morning.
Released in September 2024, this new track by Baekhyun, the main vocalist of EXO, features lyrics that tenderly express hope and positivity for a new day over a mellow arrangement.
Set against a gentle soundscape, his smooth, emotive vocals truly shine.
Among the six tracks on his mini-album “Hello, World,” this one stands out as especially memorable.
Perfect for a relaxing morning or a coffee break, it’s a soothing number that lets you fully savor the charm of Korean R&B.
instagramDEAN
Do you usually use social media? Maybe you’ve had times when using it made you feel bad.
That’s why I want to introduce a song called “instagram.” It portrays how we envy other people’s posts, or waste time trying to post something that will make others envy us.
Listening to it might make you reflect on your relationship with your phone and social media.
It has a laid-back vibe, so it’s great for when you want to relax, too.
2 Lovers (Feat. slchld)Summer Soul
A chilled R&B number born from a collaboration between Korean singer-songwriter Summer Soul, who grew up in Malaysia, and Seoul Child, a Korean-Canadian artist based in Canada.
Released by Dontaku Records in September 2024, the track blends neo-soul elements with lo-fi beats, delicately portraying two people drawn to each other while still haunted by shadows of past relationships.
Summer Soul’s ethereal, refreshing vocals stand out; she’s an artist drawing strong attention from Gen Z, having ranked high on TikTok’s viral charts.
This work came to life through an international collaboration with a Dutch producer.
It’s the perfect song for a night drive, a rainy-day reading session, or moments when you want to sort out your thoughts.