Trendy songs in South Korea: A roundup of hit songs
These days, K-culture—centered around K-pop—has become mainstream in Japan, hasn’t it?
One of the defining elements of K-culture is surely its music.
Here, we’ll be introducing some of the latest hit songs from Korea!
We’ve picked out tracks lighting up various charts: not only songs by popular idols, but also artists with enduring support in genres like trot and ballads, as well as Japanese songs that are gaining popularity in Korea.
There are countless amazing masterpieces, so feel free to use summaries like this as a starting point and dive deeper!
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Trendy songs in South Korea. Hit song collection (111–120)
GANGNAM STYLEPSY
Sparked by its hit status on YouTube, “GANGNAM STYLE” drew global attention.
Released in 2012 by PSY, who also works as a music producer, it’s known as a signature K-pop track.
Its horseback-riding dance choreography also became a hot topic, gaining popularity not only in Asia but in the United States and Europe as well.
The uniquely Korean lyrics are a perfect match for the heavy dance beat.
The song’s melodic rhythmic development and PSY’s distinctive vocals are sure to energize listeners.
It’s K-pop that discovered new possibilities for EDM-based dance music.
Teddy BearSTAYC
Teddy Bear,” a quintessential cute K-POP song of 2023.
It’s a pop track packed with STAYC’s teen-fresh charm.
Produced by Black Eyed Pilseung—STAYC’s producers who have also worked on songs for TWICE—the song features a catchy, explosive melody and choreography bursting with fun and a colorful worldview.
Since its release, it has been a long-running hit.
It’s also beloved on TikTok through dance challenge videos, and collaborations with celebrities are drawing major attention.
It’s overflowing with adorable appeal!
To Lady (숙녀에게)Song Pil Geun
A heartwarming ballad by South Korea’s Song Pil-geun, known as a multi-entertainer who blends comedy and music.
Released in March 2025, this work is a remake of Byun Jin-sub’s 1989 song.
The expressive power he honed on Gag Concert and the solid vocal skills he showcased on National Trot Championship harmonize beautifully.
It seems that Song Pil-geun’s personal experience—marrying a woman four years his junior in November 2021—is reflected in the song’s deep emotion.
Its gently supportive, tender melody will resonate as background music for moments when you want to feel the bond with someone special.
LALALALAStray Kids
Stray Kids is a boy group that’s been exploding in popularity worldwide and in Japan, even earning their first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen at the end of 2023.
This track, which colors their November 2023 album “樂-STAR,” is a rock tune bursting with powerful appeal.
The pleasing cadence of the line endings makes you want to hum along, and the surge of momentum that kicks in at the chorus is exhilarating.
It’s got that signature Stray Kids addictiveness, too.
Despite its hardness, it feels approachable, and the choreography featuring hand-wave motions has also become a hot topic.
It’s an anthem that cheers you on to cut loose, making it a great party song as well.
A truly outstanding classic whose sheer fun perfectly embodies its title!
S-ClassStray Kids
Released in June 2023 as the title track of the album “★★★★★ (5-STAR),” which at the time broke K-pop’s all-time sales record.
It’s an addictive hip-hop tune—powerful and massive from start to finish.
The worldview and performance, which seem to depict SKZ’s style and sense of scale, are absolutely overwhelming.
The edgy refrain will definitely stick in your head.
Not only does it shine as a one-and-only, it may even capture their way of life.
Everything is out of the ordinary—S-class.
An unmissable track of 2023.
Better Thingsaespa
Aespa is an idol group that debuted in 2020 as a highly anticipated new act from SM Entertainment.
It’s pronounced “espa.” They’re known for a sound rooted in classic dance-pop, and they’ve continued to thrive in 2023.
Their new song, “Better Things,” features a simple track centered on piano and percussion, but the development of the vocal lines is sophisticated, resulting in a meticulously crafted piece that holds its own compared to the English-speaking mainstream.
Next Levelaespa
The song that’s become a huge hit in over 26 countries is “Next Level.” It’s performed by the girl group aespa.
Based on a track of the same name that composer A$ton Wyld wrote for the film Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, it adds a stylish K-pop flair to create a polished piece.
It’s fun to compare it with the original version, too.
Fans of hip-hop and R&B are sure to enjoy it as well.
