K-pop unrequited love songs you’ll totally relate to! Tracks that won’t let the heartache and excitement stop

이상형(Ideal Type)CATCH THE YOUNG

CATCH THE YOUNG ‘이상형(Ideal Type)’ Music Video

This is a digital single released in June 2025 by Catch The Young, a band that champions “youthful pop rock.” Riding on a refreshing sound that fuses synth-pop with classic rock, it portrays a love that’s awkward yet earnest.

After singing about a journey of adventure on their album “Catch The Young: Fragments of Odyssey,” here they reveal a new side: the racing heartbeat of first love.

You may find yourself relating to the nervousness of facing your crush and the frustrating inability to put your feelings into words.

It’s the perfect companion for a summer drive or stroll, sure to evoke that sweet-and-sour feeling of youth.

Once againNCT 127

[HOT] NCT 127 – Once again (여름 방학), 엔씨티127 – Once again Show Music core 20160709

An irresistibly love-at-first-listen number that captures summer romance with a breezy retro-pop sound! Featured on NCT 127’s 2016 debut album “NCT #127,” this track shimmers with refreshing melodies and upbeat, positive rhythms that wrap you in a pleasant coolness.

The lyrics, filled with the sweet-and-sour emotions of youth, are equally captivating.

Perfect for summer drives or special moments spent with friends!

ElevatorBAEKHYUN

백현 (BAEKHYUN) ‘Elevator’ MV

In May 2025, Baekhyun released a track that skillfully blends pop and R&B elements.

Using the up-and-down motion of an elevator as a motif, the song expresses both the exhilaration and the instability of romance, and was created in collaboration with the popular Korean artist Colde.

Featured as the title track of the mini-album “Essence of Reverie,” it showcases Baekhyun’s delicate sensibility and expressive vocals, gently embracing the subtle emotions of being in love.

It’s a perfect song for those in the midst of a relationship, accompanying feelings where fluttering excitement and tender heartache intersect.

Jelly BeanCRAVITY

CRAVITY ‘Jelly Bean’ Official Audio

The nine-member boy group CRAVITY delivers a song that captures the sweet-and-sour feeling of first love.

Set to be included on their Japan 2nd EP releasing in March 2025, the track stands out with its fresh, poppy sound.

It likens the irresistible pull toward someone’s charm to the sweetness of jelly beans.

You can feel the momentum of a group that took first place on ROAD TO KINGDOM: ACE OF ACE in 2024.

It’s perfect for moments when you want to find excitement in everyday life or revel in the feeling of being in love.

Bursting with youthful energy and the glow of adolescence, its uplifting melody will give you a boost.

Small TalkKim Sung Kyu

[Official MV] 김성규(Kim Sung Kyu) ‘Small Talk’

When you’re rejected by someone you have a crush on, it leaves you with such a bittersweet, aching feeling, doesn’t it? That feeling is vividly portrayed in “Small Talk.” It’s a release by Sungkyu, also known as the leader of the boy group INFINITE.

This mid-tempo hip-hop track expresses heartache as a sense of suffocation, and listening to it makes your chest tighten, too.

The music video—depicting that suffocation as a packed commuter train—is also a must-see.

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JealousyMONSTAX

[MV] 몬스타엑스(MONSTA X) – JEALOUSY

This “Jealousy” is a hit song released in March 2018 by MONSTA X, a popular Korean boy group.

While it carries an ’80s-inspired vibe, it blends elements like trap and future pop, resulting in a level of quality that still holds up perfectly well in the 2020s.

As the title suggests, the lyrics candidly depict a man’s jealousy, which many listeners might find both bitterly relatable and empathetic.

What’s especially interesting about “Jealousy” is that it actually mentions the name of a certain member in the lyrics; despite dealing with a downbeat theme, the way they slip in that playful touch shows real finesse!

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Gimme LovePOW

POW (파우) ‘Gimme Love’ M/V

POW has delivered a song that portrays the sweet yet bittersweet feelings of love.

They are a five-member group that debuted under GRID Entertainment in October 2023.

In this release, members Yochi and Jeongbin took part in writing and composing, candidly expressing their own experiences and emotions.

The track blends pop and electronic music, with a gently resonant melody that melts into the sound and wraps you in warmth.

Paired with visuals featuring red balloons floating in a blue sky, it’s a perfect song for when you want to honestly convey your feelings to someone.