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The evolution still hasn’t stopped! K-pop tracks recommended for the Yutori generation

K-pop continues to dominate music charts around the world.

Even if you’re not a hardcore fan, you probably hear it often enough to feel just how popular it is in Japan as well.

In particular, many people in what’s called the “Yutori generation” may have watched its evolution in real time.

So this time, we’ve put together a list of K-pop tracks we especially want to recommend to the Yutori generation.

You’ll get a sense of the history that led to today’s popularity, so be sure to check it out!

Evolution still hasn’t stopped! Recommended K-POP tracks for the Yutori Generation (11–20)

BOOMBAYAHBLACKPINK

BLACKPINK – ‘붐바야 (BOOMBAYAH)’ M/V
BOOMBAYAHBLACKPINK

The debut song by BLACKPINK, a hit girl group from South Korea, swept music charts worldwide with its energetic beat and catchy melody.

Its lyrics portray confident young women celebrating freedom, resonating especially with younger generations.

With a girl-crush image, the track brought a fresh breeze to the K-pop scene.

It’s a powerful pop tune perfect for party scenes or moments when you want to embrace your true self.

Every Heart – Minna no Kimochi –BoA

A song by BoA, a South Korean singer known for her clear, translucent vocals and pop ballad sound infused with R&B elements, which was also included on her Japanese debut album “LISTEN TO MY HEART.” Chosen as an ending theme for the anime Inuyasha, this track’s lyrics convey a resolve to overcome sorrow and hardship and to seek inner peace, offering a warmth that feels close to the listener’s heart.

Released in March 2002 as BoA’s fifth single in Japan, it became a hit, reaching No.

10 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

I want to make you say you love me.IZ*ONE

[First Release] IZ*ONE – I Want to Say I Like You (Suki to Iwasetai) | IZ*ONE COMEBACK SHOW
I want to make you say you love me.IZ*ONE

The Japan–Korea joint 12-member girl group IZ*ONE’s Japanese debut single is a track that expresses the feelings of a woman in love who can’t be entirely honest.

Released in February 2019, the song proved its popularity in Japan by reaching No.

2 on the Oricon weekly chart.

The piece sings about the challenges faced in a loving relationship and the importance of expressing emotions, making it a recommended pop tune not only for those in love but also for anyone who wants to reaffirm their bond with someone special.

Don’t Wanna CrySEVENTEEN

[M/V] SEVENTEEN(세븐틴) – 울고 싶지 않아 (Don’t Wanna Cry)
Don’t Wanna CrySEVENTEEN

A song by the 13-member Korean boy group SEVENTEEN is making waves.

Released in May 2017, this track marked a turning point in the group’s musical direction.

Its lyrics portray the complex emotions after a breakup, and its sound is characterized by EDM elements.

The visuals, with members expressing their feelings against desert and urban backdrops, are also striking.

The choreography—combining hip-hop and contemporary styles—is another highlight.

It’s a heartfelt pop tune that conveys the pain of love and personal growth.

TTTwice

This is the song that cemented TWICE’s popularity, expressing a sweet yet bittersweet feeling of love.

Included on their mini-album “TWICEcoaster: LANE 1,” released in October 2016, its music video achieved the remarkable milestone of surpassing 100 million views in January 2017.

The catchy title, “TT,” which uses an emoticon to express a girl’s lovestruck feelings, is especially memorable.

Its pop melody, depicting both longing for the future and the struggles of romance, is likely to resonate with the yutori generation as well.

It’s a heart-thumping number packed with the charms of TWICE, the multinational Korean girl group.

DittoNewJeans

NewJeans (뉴진스) ‘Ditto’ Official MV (side A)
DittoNewJeans

NewJeans’ “Ditto” is one of their signature songs, released digitally in December 2022.

The choreography incorporates hip-hop elements and focuses on counts rather than lyrics, so maintaining rhythm that matches the song’s fast counts is crucial.

Every 1×8, movements using downs and isolations to keep the rhythm are repeated, making the choreography easy to memorize.

It’s a recommended track even for beginners, as you can work on it while learning the fundamentals!

Peek-A-BooRed Velvet

Red Velvet is a girl group that has been gradually gaining momentum lately.

From their name, you might expect them to be a stylish group, but they actually tend to release surprisingly catchy songs.

Peek-A-Boo is no exception—while it’s stylish, it’s crafted with an easy-to-sing melody.

The hook in particular leans heavily into a rap-like feel, and the range isn’t very wide, making it exceptionally easy to sing.

It’s a track that shines with style but also has plenty of moments to hype the crowd, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.

In conclusion

How was it? This time, we introduced K-pop tracks we’d like to recommend to the yutori generation. They’re all famous songs that any K-pop fan has probably heard at least once. Of course, we also hope this can serve as an introduction for those who aren’t very familiar with K-pop, so please take this opportunity to give them a listen!