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 compilation of hit tracks (41–50)
bodyDAYOUNG
Dayoung, an artist who shines as the lead vocalist of the popular girl group WJSN, is known within the group as a bright mood-maker.
Since their debut in February 2016, she has captivated fans with her assured vocal prowess.
This track marks her solo debut as the lead song.
It’s an uptempo pop-dance number that sings of the shock of love at first sight and an instinctive magnetic pull.
A danceable beat that evokes the heat of a summer night carries a straightforward, sensuous longing.
The sound balances breezy, dance-inducing energy with the exhilarating edge of romance.
The track is included on the digital single album “gonna love me, right?” released in September 2025.
It’s a perfect song for playful nights that lift your mood.
Bye, SummerIU
A digital single by IU, a nationally beloved singer with immense popularity, released in September 2025.
Remarkably, it’s the number fans have been eagerly awaiting ever since she performed it during her 2024 world tour! IU herself wrote the lyrics and crafted the melody, releasing the song as a gift to share the end of summer with her fans.
Set against a clear, shimmering band sound, it expresses a bittersweet farewell to the passing summer and gratitude for the irreplaceable moments spent with her fans.
You can almost picture the cool breeze and twilight scenes, and feel a heart-tugging sense of poignancy.
It’s perfect for those moments at summer’s end when you want to look back on memories and sink into a slightly sentimental mood.
This work is an emotional piece that conveys IU’s deep affection for her fans.
Kakurenba (Korean Ver.)PLAVE
A pop-rock number released in September 2025 by PLAVE, the virtual idol group that debuted in 2023.
It’s the Korean version of the single that was released in Japan in July of the same year and topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Using “hide-and-seek” as a metaphor for the passage of time and the emotional distance in the present, the song weaves together the brilliance and bittersweetness of youth over a nostalgic sound.
The band-oriented sound, crafted with the members’ own involvement, overflows with feeling and is deeply emotional—much like a real-life group.
The musicality they showcased on their mini-album ‘Caligo Pt.1’ is on full display here as well.
Perfect for when you want to feel that end-of-summer melancholy.
I WANTive
Girls idol group IVE.
Their 2023 release “I WANT” is a track that drew attention through a collaboration with Pepsi Cola.
While it has a catchy melody, it also features a variety of instruments brimming with originality, making it a truly satisfying listen! Plus, the music video—lined wall-to-wall with Pepsi Cola and featuring the members’ vibrant choreography that matches the brand’s image—feels great to watch, so be sure to check it out at least once!
Over The MoonTXT
A heart-throbbing pop tune has arrived from TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
It’s a track from their November 2024 mini-album “The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY,” sparklingly portraying the joy of love.
The fluttering feeling of a crush overflows with an exhilarating sensation that feels like it could reach the moon.
Carried by an up-tempo rhythm, the five members’ captivating vocals shine.
Though it’s a love song, it’s striking how their signature youthfulness and dreamlike worldview blend into it.
It’s the kind of song that makes your heart skip a beat.
The music video is also a must-see, conveying the thrills of falling in love through the members’ expressions and movements.
Cherish (My Love)ILLIT
A love song that brought a fresh breeze to the K-pop scene in the fall of 2024.
It’s included on ILLIT’s second mini album, “I’LL LIKE YOU.” The poppy sound that evokes the flutter of first love and the bold lyrics leave a strong impression.
The five members’ intertwined vocals create harmonies that capture listeners’ hearts and don’t let go.
The music video also features a unique concept themed around wisdom teeth.
You can feel their desire to get closer to their fans.
It’s a track packed with the charm of this fifth-generation idol group made up of members from Korea and Japan.
It’s sure to gently give a nudge to anyone struggling with love.
AttentionNewJeans
NewJeans is a five-member South Korean girl group that debuted in 2022.
They debuted as the first group from ADOR, a new label launched by Min Hee-jin, who has worked on album concepts for various artists.
Another notable feature is that they are a multinational group consisting of four Koreans and one Vietnamese member.
NewJeans’ “Attention” is marked by its chorus with beautiful harmonized long tones, which sets it apart significantly from other K-pop artists.
Even if you’re not a big fan of K-pop, this is a song worth giving a listen!