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!
- A Korean song you often hear on TikTok. Trending K-pop.
- K-POP Popularity Rankings [2026]
- Guaranteed to hit repeat: Energetic K-pop songs that will lift your mood
- Korean karaoke songs: beloved tunes from popular ballads to K-pop
- K-POP Masterpieces & Best Hits [Latest and Classic Popular Songs + Editor’s Select]
- [Korean popular music] Popular trot songs. Masterpieces by trot singers.
- Nothing but famous and hit songs! K-pop tracks recommended for Gen Z
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
- Stylish K-pop and Korean songs. Songs with a nice vibe.
- [2026] Cool! K-pop dance tracks that make you want to move
- Popular K-pop and Korean songs that brighten up YouTube Shorts
- [2026] A roundup of popular K-POP hits that were trending this year
- Today's recommendation! K-pop songs
Trendy Korean songs. Hit song compilation (301–310)
모르는 사람Zion.T
Zion.T, an R&B singer popular especially among younger generations in South Korea.
Released as one of the triple title tracks from his third full-length album “Zip,” his first in two years since 2021.
The title means a stranger or an outsider, and the song portrays a lonely state of mind with the theme of being alone.
The contrast with its retro, jazz-tinged sound creates a uniquely intriguing atmosphere.
The music video is distinctive as well.
If you like slightly offbeat, ennui-infused tracks, be sure to check it out.
CHRISTIANZior Park
Debuting in 2018, Zior Park is known for his punchy tracks.
Among them, “CHRISTIAN” stands out with an overwhelming presence, tackling the difficult theme of religion with a comical tone and lyrics.
The flashy, visually striking music videos—exemplified by “FALLING FROM THE SKY,” “PSYCHOLOVE,” and “BLACK FIN”—are also highly impactful.
Be sure to check them out along with the songs.
Dramaaespa
The self-titled lead track from their 4th mini-album, “Drama,” which achieved a million-seller for the third consecutive release.
It was released in November 2023.
Unlike the new ground explored with the previous title track “Spicy,” this one is a hip-hop tune marked by a strikingly bold attitude and a powerful, quintessentially aespa hook reminiscent of their early days.
It’s easy to listen to, yet retains that addictive “this is aespa” quality.
Packed with a strong message about creating a new drama, it delivers a boost of power alongside aespa’s cool, charismatic edge.
NIGHT DANCERimase
Amid the rising popularity of J-POP since around 2022, this might well be one of the standout smash hits.
It spread rapidly through TikTok dance challenges—now essential to modern music trends—with participation from popular groups like IVE and Stray Kids, making it beloved by a wide audience.
It was also shocking to see it become the first J-POP song to rank on Korea’s important Melon Top 100 chart.
The laid-back, ennui-tinged vocals and melodies are easy to listen to and offer a different kind of addictive appeal from K-POP.
Its message of enjoying the night freely perfectly captures the allure of music.
Even for a momentSon Shigyon, Naul
Singer Sung Si-kyung, who is also active as an MC on variety and music shows, released this song, “Even for a moment,” in 2023 featuring Naul from the Korean R&B group Brown Eyed Soul.
It showcases choral work where the beautiful voices of these two artists—both overwhelmingly popular as ballad singers in Korea—intertwine.
It’s an emotional ballad that powerfully yet poignantly sings of continuing to cherish a lover, even after parting with the person they loved more than anyone else.
너라는 별고추잠자리
The love ballad by Red Pepper Dragonfly is stirring listeners’ hearts.
Released in December 2024, this work stands out with its high school band style.
It blends rock elements with gentle melodies.
The lyrics, delicately weaving a bittersweet longing for a presence that shines like a distant star, resonate emotionally.
The tender tones bring out the feelings even more richly.
You can’t help but be moved by its pure depiction of first love.
It’s a heartwarming track that accompanies quiet moments with someone special.
취중고백김민석 (멜로망스)
When people get drunk, many of them probably feel more open and let their true feelings slip out, don’t they? “Confession While Drunk” is a medium-tempo number that gently captures that state of mind.
Kim Minseok, the vocalist of Melomance, a male duo known for their soft musical style, remade the song, and it became a long-running hit in 2022.
The original was sung by Feel in 2005.
The lyrics are charming—conveying one’s feelings while maintaining a slightly reserved tone.
It’s calm and seems to wrap any moment in warmth.