Trendy songs in South Korea: A roundup of hit songs

SPOT! (feat. JENNIE)ZICO

ZICO (지코) ‘SPOT! (feat. JENNIE)’ Official MV

Rapper Zico’s collaborative track with BLACKPINK’s Jennie was released in April 2024.

This stylish piece blends hip-hop and R&B, expressing the sense of unity found with friends you meet at a night party through liberating lyrics.

You can soak up the excitement of the night while dancing to its rhythmic beat.

It’s got an irresistibly cool, urban vibe—perfect for celebrating Zico’s 10th anniversary as a solo artist.

An ideal song for nights when you want to feel a bit more grown-up or go all out with your friends.

If I have you onlyNerd Connection

If I have you only (My love X Nerd Connection) (그대만 있다면 (여름날 우리 X…

A heartfelt ballad about a poignant farewell by Nerd Connection, a band drawing attention in the Korean music scene.

It conveys a powerful sentiment that a loved one’s presence is everything, and that nothing else is needed as long as that person is there.

This is a remake of a song released by Weather Forecast in 1999, used as a collaborative track for the film “여름날 우리 (One Summer Story),” capturing the hearts of many.

Released in August 2023, it has steadily remained near the top of the charts into 2024, becoming a long-running hit.

It’s a song that seems destined to be loved by many, offering warm comfort and solace to those who have experienced heartbreak.

GO!CORTIS

CORTIS (코르티스) ‘GO!’ Official MV

CORTIS, drawing attention as the next presence following BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, is a truly young creator crew that champions “collaborative creation,” with every member handling everything from songwriting and composing to choreography.

This work is the opening intro track for their debut EP, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, released in August 2025.

It’s a hip-hop tune where razor-sharp synths race over a minimal trap beat, serving as a musical statement of intent for the group.

You can feel a powerful drive to break fixed ideas—almost as if their name’s ethos of “coloring outside the lines” has been turned directly into sound.

Listen to it when you’re starting something new; their passion will come through, and it will surely give you courage!

Welcome to the ShowDAY6

DAY6(데이식스) “Welcome to the Show” M/V

A four-member rock band from South Korea, DAY6 has released a new song with the full lineup for the first time in about three years.

It’s a track from their 8th mini-album, “Fourever,” released in March 2024.

Incorporating elements of post-Britpop and progressive house, the song expresses gratitude and determination toward those who stand with us on the grand stage of life—thankfulness for the one who chose you, and the resolve to overcome an uncertain future.

Actors Yoo Seung-ho and Choi Hee-jin appear in the music video, enhancing its narrative feel.

It’s an uplifting piece with DAY6’s signature heart-stirring melodies and a warm message.

EpisodeLEE MU JIN

[MV] LEE MU JIN(이무진) _ Episode(에피소드)

A new song released in December 2023 by South Korean singer-songwriter Lee Mujin.

It features emotive lyrics themed around beautiful memories and parting.

Lee Mujin’s characteristically gentle vocals pair exquisitely with a melody that seems to warm the heart even in the winter cold.

Conveying the purity and poignancy of being in love, this work feels as if it brings an early spring.

Its lyrics, depicting a love that tugs at the heart, are sure to resonate not only with those in love but with everyone.

The sound is bright, but the lyrics are bittersweet—why not give this sentimental track a listen?

비의 랩소디(Rhapsody of Sadness)임재현(Lim Jae Hyun)

Rhapsody of Sadness

This is a poignant love song by ballad singer Lim Jae-hyun.

The piece calmly conveys the sorrow and lingering feelings of a breakup.

Released as a digital single in December 2023, it’s a remake of a hit originally released by Choi Jae-hoon in 2000.

It topped Melon’s monthly chart in January 2024 and went on to become a long-running hit.

The beautiful lyrics, which use rain as a metaphor for sadness, are particularly striking.

Lim Jae-hyun’s emotive vocals vividly bring this bittersweet story to life.

It’s sure to resonate with anyone carrying the pain of heartbreak.

I also recommend enjoying it together with the music video.

Hollywood ActionBOYNEXTDOOR

BOYNEXTDOOR (보이넥스트도어) ‘Hollywood Action’ Official MV

Released in October 2025 as the title track of their fifth EP, “The Action” centers on the theme of filmmaking.

Under the concept of BOYNEXTDOOR acting as a fictional film crew called “Team The Action,” the track was produced by ZICO, Pop Time, and others.

Its swing rhythm and brassy sound create the exhilarating feeling of walking a red carpet.

Packed with playful nods to movie credits and cast introductions, the song captures the moment you shine as the main character.

The music video—shot mainly on location in Chicago—features cinematic direction that’s a highlight in itself.

The release peaked at No.

40 on the Billboard 200 and took first place on Korean music shows.

It’s the kind of song that gives you a push when you’re ready to move toward your dreams and goals.