15 heartwarming Korean love songs
Love is in the air… and we’ve got a list of some of the prettiest ballads and best confession tracks to get you in the romantic mood!
ZICO and IU in their “SoulMate” music video. Image: Block B/EQ Entertainment.
1. “Star Blossom” by Doyoung and Sejeong
With its lullaby-like nature, Parisian aura, and comforting vocals, NCT’s Doyoung and ex-Gugudan member turned soloist and actress Kim Sejeong came together for this beautiful SM STATION track. “Star Blossom” encapsulates the magic of being newly in love, and the simplicity of walking hand in hand under the stars.
Both Doyoung and Kim Sejeong demonstrate stunningly soft tones, harmonising delicately amid a jazz piano and string accompaniment to create a gloriously captivating K-Pop track.
2. “Heart Attack” by Chuu
One of the most beloved K-Pop idols of recent years is Chuu. Her effervescent personality has enraptured millions of fans, and this bubbliness spills over perfectly into her solo track “Heart Attack” as part of her initial debut in the girl group LOONA.
Despite its slightly festive sound, the song is well-loved all year round, and its confessional lyrics are perfectly suited to a listen on Valentine’s Day. “You’re my destiny”, “this must be what thrill feels like”, “there is a spark in my heart” — clearly an admission of love!
“Heart Attack’’’s music video has also become well-loved with the LGBTQ+ community thanks to its sapphic-coding; Chuu confesses her love throughout the video to (at the time) fellow LOONA member Yves, trying to win her affection.
Alternatively, if you’d like to support Chuu’s solo endeavors you can check out her YouTube ‘Chuu Can Do It’ here.
3. “Beautiful” by Crush
One of a number of K-Drama OSTs suited to this loved-up list, Crush’s “Beautiful” is an essential ballad for the romantic season.
It epitomises K-Drama love, as the soundtrack to the popular drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (also known as Goblin), with acting superstars Gong Yoo and Lee Dongwook. It’s delicate, poignant, and the perfect lyrical confession.
4. “Love is Love” by Jiae
Branching into the RnB side of the Korean music industry, we find solo artist Jiae (previously a member of the girl group Wa$$up). Jiae was on everyone’s lips back in 2020 when she came out as bisexual, one of the first idols to publicly do so.
She followed up the immense support she received with her solo debut “Love is Love”, the title track to her first full album.
The track is dark, intense, and almost sultry. It declares Jiae’s strength and celebrates her freedom as an out and proud bisexual woman while encouraging other LGBTQ+ people to love as they please: “I won’t hide away from myself anymore”, “love is love, say that you love me”, “walk into the light, only you can find your light”.
5. “Try Again” by Jaehyun and d.ear
Despite its moments of nonsensical lyricism, the “Try Again” SM STATION is an evergreen track that suits a romantic playlist to a tee.
On top of the fun fact that NCT member Jaehyun’s individual fans have often been dubbed ‘Valentines’, the ballad is beautifully romantic. Against a simple, jazzy, acoustic instrumental, the breathy tones of d.ear and the smooth vocals of Jaehyun can lull you into a state of love or slumber, whichever you’d prefer!
6. “YOUNG LUV” by STAYC
It’s a rarity that a B-side track is arguably stronger than the group’s title track, but in the case of STAYC’s “YOUNG LUV”, this is often claimed.
Despite the pop excellence of “RUN2U”, “YOUNG LUV” is utterly hypnotising and full of melancholy, demonstrating incredible vocal agility by all six members amid diluted guitar melodies.
Perhaps a track for the broken-hearted, the lyrics tell of the girls’ unrequited love and coming to terms with the fact that there are other fish in the sea at such a young age.
7. “She’s a Baby” by ZICO
In a surprising twist for the hip-hop rapper and Block B frontman, ZICO delivered a romantic essential with “She’s a Baby” back in 2017.
Accompanied by a music video that could be straight out of an art gallery, the track is simple, heartfelt, and endearing, with ZICO expressing his love and desire to care for his innocent crush: “This is the first time that I’ve poured out this much… All of my energy goes towards you… I’ll look after you”.
8. “Fairy of Shampoo” by TXT
Although not a love song in the traditional sense, “Fairy of Shampoo” gives us TXT’s magical take on a ‘90s Korean release, covering a song originally by Light & Salt.
The lyrics tell the story of a person who falls head over heels for the girl in a shampoo advert on TV, comparing her to a magical fairy thanks to her otherworldly beauty. The instrumental reflects this delicate scenario perfectly, embellished with twinkling synth runs and a clean sound that makes for a refreshingly unique interpretation of love.
9. “Some” by Bolbbalgan4
Originally a duo act, BOL4 were responsible for creating some of the most gorgeous indie songs in the Korean music industry, from “Travel” to “Galaxy”.
Coupling distinctive vocals with a folk-influenced instrumental, “Some” is an ode to a first love. Told from the perspective of a young girl dealing with a crush, the track is gloriously saccharine, and perfectly comforting in its innocent nature.
10. “Blooming Day” by EXO-CBX
The K-Pop industry has myriad sub-units, but (omitting the NCT groups) arguably none quite as popular as EXO-CBX. Composed of CHEN, BAEKHYUN, and Xiumin, the trio released the funk-influenced “Blooming Day” as the title track for their second EP.
With its addictive “can I be your boyfriend, can I?” hook, the track gives a disco/house spin on confessional love songs. It’s been described as “lithe”, and “groovy”, with a beat that “pulses with jolts of bass and deep house electronics”. No loved-up playlist would be complete without it.
11. “Coffee” by BTS
Despite being the biggest band in the world, BTS have a multitude of tracks that are often lost among their immense discography. “Coffee” is one such track.
Using metaphors to compare a missed ex to different caffeinated drinks — from caramel macchiatos to espressos — the BTS boys create a cosy, romantic, coffee shop atmosphere in this 2013 B-side.
Against the clink of cutlery and the murmur of customers, the lyrics reminisce about the initial dating period: the awkwardness, the nerves, the shy smiles. Sampling the co-ed group Urban Zakapa’s “Drinking Coffee” from just two years earlier, BTS create their own nostalgic love song that eases the pain of a breakup through fond memories and smooth melodies.
12. “FANCY” by TWICE
If you’re after an upbeat, quintessential pop song to put you in the Valentine’s mood, look no further than the girl group TWICE. Among a smorgasbord of love songs, “FANCY” is iconic in every sense of the word.
The dance-pop sound complements the optimistic, confessional lyrics as the girls proclaim their attraction; “I fancy you, I don’t want just anyone, hey I love you”. How better to feel hyped about love than with award-winning giddiness?
13. “POOL” by WOODZ & SUMIN
From UNIQ, to X1, to M.O.LA, to a solo career, WOODZ has truly done it all. And among all his incredible releases, “POOL” is a gorgeously vital love song.
Teaming up with soloist SUMIN, the song blends a lo-fi-style beat with two incredibly unique sets of vocals for a song that epitomises the word ‘chill’. Lyrically, a pool is used as a metaphor for the heart — their partner is ‘diving in’, ‘paddling’ to create endless heartbeats in an amazing visual for love.
14. “I.L.Y” by The Rose
Fitting the classic romantic ballad, The Rose deliver in full with “I.L.Y”. Simply admitting “I’m falling for you, I love you, our love is true” against a piano melody before kicking in, the song is starry-eyed and soothing.
The beauty of the track develops further with the band’s British-pop-rock inspired sound, marrying two distinct, globally separate music styles in one gorgeous, acronymic love song.
15. “SoulMate” by ZICO & IU
Yet another romantic track from ZICO. This time accompanied by superstar soloist IU, the two deliver the perfect coffee-shop love song.
The winner of the MAMA Award for Best Hip-Hop and Urban in 2018, “SoulMate” has a subtle jazz foundation that gives a comforting feel.
Lyrically, the duet is one of the most unique on this list, exploring the inevitable connection between two people, whether romantic or platonic. ZICO and IU have declared themselves as close friends since a young age, and this is reflected in the song’s fate-themed lyrics and music video.
This makes it a perfect choice for this playlist, celebrating love between soulmates of any kind, partners, or friends.
There are a million love songs in the Korean music industry, so let us know what you’ll be listening to to get loved up in the comments!
Edited by Molly Raycraft and Chelsea Cheetham.
