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 Korean songs: A roundup of hit tracks (211–220)
My Ultimate First Love10cm
A love song released in May 2023 by Kwon Jeong-yeol of 10cm, a popular figure in Korean pop music.
With lyrics about first love, it brings back those fresh, innocent feelings.
You can’t help but relate to the pure urge to do something for the one you like and to give it your all, and the richness of that affection will make your heart flutter.
It’s a cute track that can be enjoyed from either a male or female perspective.
Its refreshing acoustic sound makes it easy to listen to and suitable for any occasion.
It also carries the impression of old memories suddenly giving you strength, and I think it will give courage in both romantic moments and everyday life.
Love LeeAKMU (Akdong Musician)
Released in August 2023, this is the fourth single from AKMU, a bona fide duo of real-life siblings who enjoy overwhelming popularity in Korea.
Known as masters of recorded music, AKMU seem poised for another long-running hit with this track.
The title is a play on “Lovely” and their surname “Lee.” While it’s unexpectedly dance-pop in style, the unmistakably catchy AKMU melodic lines throughout are reassuring.
The song overflows with the sweet side of a love song; beyond the overall vibe, the quirky lyrics are adorable too.
The chorus features an easy-to-enjoy dance with just the right laid-back feel—friendly and effortlessly charming.
It brims with a free-spirited allure.
NAKKA(with IU)AKMU (Akdong Musician)
NAKKA (with IU) is a song that exotically portrays the dynamics between a man and a woman.
Created by the sibling pop duo AKMU, it is included on their album Next Episode.
The song conveys a declaration of eternal love to a lover.
However, rather than a happy mood, it carries a subtly sorrowful nuance—that’s the key point.
Also, be sure to pay attention to the parts featuring singer-songwriter IU.
후라이의 꿈(Fry’s Dream)AKMU (Akdong Musician)
Akdong Musician’s 2023 comeback “Love Lee,” their first in two years, was a big hit.
This is the B-side included on that single.
If you listen to it alongside the lyric video’s laid-back egg animation, the cuteness doubles.
Perfect for when you want to go with the flow or slow down a bit.
Amazingly, this song was produced by the older brother, Lee Chan-hyuk, and was performed with IU at a concert in 2014.
AkMu delivering playful, message-filled songs like this—so wonderful.
BATTER UPBABYMONSTER
This is the debut song by BABYMONSTER, YG Entertainment’s first girl group in seven years since BLACKPINK.
In stark contrast to their pre-debut, heart-touching ballad “DREAM,” this track is a hip-hop number overflowing with YG’s signature color.
As a debut song from a K-pop group, it broke 50 million views in record time at the time.
The bold, ambition-forward style is seriously cool.
When you think of YG, groups with monster-scale impact like BIGBANG and BLACKPINK come to mind, and BABYMONSTER exudes that same sense of potential.
In the latter half of the song, you can feel a vibe reminiscent of BIGBANG’s party tunes, which is sure to lift your mood!
DREAMBABYMONSTER
BABYMONSTER is a girl group born from the documentary program “Last Evaluation.” Their pre-debut track is “DREAM.” The song portrays sleepless nights filled with worries and a strong determination to face challenges.
It starts as a gentle ballad, gradually builds in power, and even features a call-and-response section in the latter half.
It’s the kind of song that can slowly lift your spirits when you’re feeling down.
Vancouver 2BIG Naughty
Seo Dong-hyun, better known as Big Naughty, is a rapper who’s gained popularity for the approachable charm of his sing-rap style.
Vancouver 2 is a love song released in September 2023, infused with a vow to his lover.
It conveys a resolve to do anything for someone precious—to live for someone else.
The emotional chorus tugs at the heart and brings a sense of release.
Though it’s a love song, it also feels like it stays close to you on days when worries won’t leave or when everything feels hazy.