Your K-pop winter playlist
To combat the coldest of seasons, here’s some essential Korean tracks to warm you up — so get cosy!
Kwon Jin Ah’s “This Winter” sets a relaxing mood in the festive season. Image: Kwon Jin Ah Winter Special Single Promotional Poster. Image: ANTENNA MUSIC.
“INSOMNIA” — YUKIKA
If you’re looking for a wintry K-pop song with a city-pop twist, look no further than the queen herself: YUKIKA. Sonically decorated with twinkling embellishments and a fairy-soft vocal tone, “INSOMNIA” brings to mind festivities under the bright lights of the city, and is perfect for a frosty night-time drive to a Winter Wonderland.
“Winterfall” — DPR IAN
DPR IAN is known for his unique visuals and distinct style, but has also cultivated a sound that sends listeners on an emotional rollercoaster. “Winterfall”, a B-side from the MIITO album, is no different. With its echoing vocals, eerily empty production, and stirring crescendos, it’s very easy to picture yourself stood underneath the delicate snowfall of winter before the icy wind begins to whip around you.
“Ice Cream Love” — Whee In
Back in 2021, MAMAMOO’s Whee In delivered the perfect coffee shop track for the colder days with “Ice Cream Love”. The ballad’s lyrics poignantly ask a partner to stay, to hold her until dawn breaks. “It's too good to be real, hold me now, my heart is burning”. A great choice to warm listeners up as they sit by the fire!
“From Home” — NCT U
Starring multiple of NCT’s 20 plus members, the vocal talents are off the charts with this R&B power track. Four different languages explore the members’ own journeys to fame, and finding a new home in their group members and fans.
This, coupled with the emotional grandeur, is perfect for those celebrating in the festive season, whether that’s with family or friends. Our favourite version to listen to is the MAMA rendition from December 2020!
“snowy night” — Billlie
Another for the winter coffee shop playlist is Billlie's “snowy night”. Described as “whimsical”, “heartwarming”, and “groovier than expected” for a winter track, the girl group are able to blend everything from city-pop to R&B and jazz for this comforting song that asks “Where are you, Christmas?”
“This Winter” — Kwon Jin Ah
Korean music outside of K-pop also offers some great tracks for winter. One such track (blending pop, indie, R&B, and soul into a ballad) is Kwon Jin Ah’s “This Winter”. Whilst punctuated with classic festive sounds like jingling bells, the song can set a relaxing mood all season long. Jin Ah’s distinctive tone and angelic harmonies breathe warmth into those frosty days, scored by a slow, heartbeat-like instrumental.
“Impurities” — LE SSERAFIM
LE SSERAFIM’s 2022 release might not be a go-to choice for December to February, but “Impurities” works great! The song is a ‘90s influenced ode to the intimacy that comes with vulnerability and imperfection. The lyrics feel like a comfort, and offer parallels to the beauty of the sharp, icy weather: “Show you the real me, the light growing dark red. Intensely sparkling, glittery things… So natural, beautiful”.
The song is gorgeously delicate and dreamy, captivating listeners with falsetto melodies and a glimmering production perfectly suited to winter.
“Miracles in December” — EXO
You don’t get more wintry than K-pop royalty EXO, thanks to their power vocals and extensive winter discography: namely Miracles in December, SING FOR YOU, and Universe.
It’s the former EP that gifted us with the eponymous title track, “Miracles in December”. Rousing, powerful, and featuring an epic orchestra, this song is a clear showcase of the vocal talents of members BAEKHYUN, D.O, and CHEN. Reminiscent of classics like East 17’s “Stay Another Day”, the EXO song is an absolute essential for the month of Christmas.
“LAST GOODBYE" — AKMU
The Korean title for this gorgeous AKMU track translates as “Long Day, Long Night”, and the song is perfect for the long nights of winter. It lyrically reminisces about a past love, all sung in the beautiful harmonies of the sibling duo Chanhyuk and Suhyun.
“Last Goodbye” feels like a comfort in the cold of winter, merging elements of folk, indie, and even country and classical (including an interpolation of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major”). The blend of vocal tones envelopes the listener, making you feel cosy in under five minutes.
“Into the New World” — Girls’ Generation (SNSD)
This 2007 throwback has established itself as a K-pop anthem, thrusting Girls’ Generation to stardom in the industry’s second generation with its celebratory tone. Perfect for any Christmas or New Year’s festivities, “Into the New World” feels made for singing on a night with friends, or under the stars in the city countdown to the 1st of January. Driven by its emotional ascension and “polished pop beat”, the track is truly timeless, and suits the fresh start that winter provides.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
