K-pop unrequited love songs you’ll totally relate to! Tracks that won’t let the heartache and excitement stop
There are many artists with distinctive and captivating vocals in K-POP that really draw you in.
We’ve picked out one-sided love songs that perfectly fit those “heart-wrenching” and “fluttering” K-POP emotions!
Not only the bittersweet melodies and beautiful vocals, but also the relatable lyrics that make your heart race will pull you in emotionally.
Here are songs that let you deeply feel the ache of unrequited love and gently accompany you through a range of feelings.
May you find a song that fits your heart—and may your love come true.
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K-pop’s must-relate unrequited love songs! Tracks that won’t stop the heartache and butterflies (11–20)
방백 (Aside)SHINee
It’s a song released in 2013 and included on the third album “Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You.” It’s a cute love song with a sweet melody about wanting to be together, but the more he thinks about “you,” who seems to grow ever larger in his mind, the more his heart aches—such bittersweet lyrics! The title carries the meaning of “aside” or “monologue” in Japanese, conveying an inner voice.
It captures the feelings of a man who falls for a woman who already has a boyfriend.
Love brings joy, but it also reveals the anxiety of not knowing what comes next.
If you ever find yourself falling for someone who’s already taken, put this one on heavy rotation.
SceneryV
“Scenery” is a solo song by V from the Korean male idol group BTS.
It’s a ballad about thinking of someone you love while gazing at the scenery reflected in your eyes.
The piano, and the clear, soaring high notes in the chorus, evoke a tender sorrow that feels like your heart is being squeezed.
Those experiencing a bittersweet love may even be moved to tears.
DKDKfromis_9
A cute upbeat number by fromis_9 with a sparkling melody and adorable tones that feel so pleasant.
It’s the title track from their 2018 album “To.
Day.” The lyrics—featuring contributions from members Song Hayoung, Park Jiwon, and Lee Seoyeon—are a must-see, too.
The title, which in Korean is “Dugeun Dugeun,” means “thump-thump,” like a racing heartbeat, perfectly capturing the exhilarating excitement that syncs with your pulse! It’s a song that especially resonates when you’re living your everyday life dreaming of that perfect date moment, or when you can’t focus because you can’t stop thinking about the person you like.
I LOVE YOUEXID
The group EXID made headlines in 2020 when all the members terminated their contracts with their Korean agency.
Although there wasn’t any particular trouble, they are now mostly inactive in Korea and are currently promoting in Japan because they still have one year left on their contract with a Japanese agency.
It’ll be interesting to see what they do next.
One of their popular songs, I LOVE YOU, released in 2018, portrays a slightly provocative romance.
It’s recommended for those who love upbeat dance tunes.
기다리다yunha (yunna)
Younha is an artist active in both Japan and South Korea.
Her Japanese is very good, and it’s said she taught herself the language from a young age.
She’s knowledgeable about Japanese music and apparently respects artists like Ringo Sheena and Ayaka Hirahara, something you can sense in her vocal style.
Her song “기다리다” (Waiting) is a popular piece about unrequited love, and its lyrics, which portray an unattainable romance with realism, are highly praised.
If you search for it, you can easily find Japanese translations as well, so be sure to check those out.
취향저격(MY TYPE)iKON
This is a recommended love song for when you want to listen to a chill unrequited-love track.
iKON, the hip-hop group known for the classic “LOVE SCENARIO” and considered BIGBANG’s younger brother group, released this song in their debut year, 2015.
It might hit just right when you’re in that sweet spot of more than friends but not quite lovers.
It wraps you in a slightly emotional vibe that mixes the happiness of time spent together with the frustration of not officially dating yet.
K-pop’s utterly relatable unrequited love songs! Tracks that won’t stop tugging at your heart and making it race (21–30)
CHEER UPTwice
A song that further boosted the popularity of the hit girl group TWICE.
It sings about the feelings of a girl engaging in a little push-and-pull with a guy who’s just about to become her mutual crush.
She delays replying, holds back from meeting him, and puts on an act to hide how much she likes him—an adorable track portraying a girl trying her best to make the boy fall for her even more.