Valentine’s Day is here again, and whether you’re single, taken, or it’s complicated–there’s definitely a K-pop song out there for you on this special day!
K-pop is an extremely diverse genre with emotional ballads, bad bitch anthems, and songs that you’ll definitely want to listen to under “red (LED) lights,” and more, and this list covers all of the feelings you could be experiencing on the 14th of February.
If you’re single…
- “Answer: Love Myself” by BTS
What more do you need than to love yourself? Forget a relationship–all you need is self-love–and with lyrics that talk about moving forward in life and learning how to put yourself first, BTS perfectly captures the kind of love that so many people tend to forget about on Valentine’s Day.
- “Good Parts (when the quality is bad but I am)” by LE SSERAFIM
Similarly to BTS’ song, rookie group LE SSERAFIM sings about how it can be hard to love your bad parts along with your good parts. However, they gently remind their listeners that self-love is important and to remember that it is a long journey with many ups and downs.
- “Friends” by BTS
Another banger by BTS, members Jimin and V (Taehyung) sing about their close friendship and how their love for each other has only grown in the years that they have spent together. If you aren’t looking for romantic love on Valentine’s Day, spending time with your friends and nourishing your platonic relationships is just as valid!
- “Typa Girl” by BLACKPINK
A slightly different route from the self-love songs, this all-English song from Blackpink’s newest album talks about self-confidence and flaunting it! Just because you don’t have a date this February doesn’t mean there isn’t anyone out there crushing on you and your confident nature!
- “WANNABE” by ITZY
Iconic group ITZY states that their discography focuses on loving yourself and hyping yourself up! With their hit song “WANNABE,” they nail that concept right on the head, stating that they don’t want to be anyone else other than themselves. This is a perfect confidence booster and definitely something to make you look in the mirror and realize what a bad bitch you are.
If you’re missing someone…
- “Anti-Romantic” by TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)
The lyrics to this slow song by group TXT reflect the title perfectly: that is, being an anti-romantic because of bad experiences in the past. The five members seem to sing deeply from the heart as they recount how rom-coms and chocolates don’t matter, because love is pointless anyways…definitely a good song for when you’re in your feels.
- “Sorry, I Love You” by Stray Kids
Stray Kids is well known for their diversity within their discography, and although they have plenty of loud, fast-paced songs, they have lots of slower ballads, too, just like this one from their 2021 album “NOEASY.” The group’s main rapper, Changbin, starts off the song with his husky, sorrowful voice as he apologizes for liking someone that doesn’t like him in return. If you’ve ever experienced unrequited love, this song captures that sinking feeling perfectly.
- “Blame Me” by MONSTA X
Maybe a little more on the mature side, this song by MONSTA X seems to recount times with an ex-F.W.B. that’s moved on while they’re still grieving. The members ask how anyone could blame them for missing someone whom they still love, and it’s honestly a little too relatable when they sing about the fading texts…
- “Where Is This Love” by KIHYUN
MONSTA X member Kihyunsings from the heart as he talks about love that’s faded away in this stunning solo piece. Perhaps one of the most heart wrenching romantic experiences is when neither of you have done anything wrong, and you just fall out of love. “Where Is This Love” carries that hopeless realization that it’s over, and there is nothing you can do about it.
- “I can’t run away” by SEVENTEEN
What do you do when you don’t want to be heartbroken any more? Some people want to run away from those feelings, and that’s exactly what SEVENTEEN talks about in this slow song: running away from those feelings but keeping the good memories with you. It’s a heartbreaking tune that discusses seeing someone through rose-colored lenses, and what happens when those lenses are lifted.
- “I Loved You” by DAY6
In and out of the K-pop community, DAY6 is a band known for their heartbreaking ballads and incredible vocals. “I Loved You” is no exception, as they sing about the end of a relationship and how hard they loved, only for it to inevitably end anyways.
- “Love Scenario” by iKON
One of the most iconic songs in k-pop history, “Love Scenario” by iKON captured the hearts of fans with an upbeat tune but sad lyrics. Though you might think the song is about a happy relationship if you don’t understand Korean, reading the lyrics is an entirely different story as the band talk about coming to terms with the end of a relationship with someone they truly loved.
- “Daisy” by PENTAGON
Definitely conveying a more relatable tone than accepting a breakup, “Daisy” talks about hating your ex for how much they hurt you, and the struggle of still harboring feelings for them anyways. Towards the end of the song the mood shifts, and they grudgingly say that their ex should be happy, but a majority of the song reflects that pain and anger that one often feels after a harsh breakup.
- “Like We Used To” by The Rose
Another heartbreaking thing about breakups is when you’re so used to spending time with your ex that you can’t go on with your daily life without seeing bits of them everywhere. In this song, The Rose talks about good morning texts, matching outfits, and better times as they reminisce on things they used to do with their ex.
- “Ex” by Stray Kids
Arguably THE break-up song. The eight members of Stray Kids sing about how it was their fault, how they had feelings for other people and fell out of love, but that they still feel bad and they still love their ex. They want their ex to hate them, and beg for them to scold them and curse at them, reminding us that sometimes, apathy is a crueler fate than anything else.
If things are complicated (and maybe just a little toxic)…
- “Siren” by SUNMI
In this alluring song, SUNMI compares herself to a siren as she talks about someone wanting her but knowing it’s a toxic relationship at the same time. Definitely a good song for those who have been in a similar back-and-forth relationship!
- “Love Sick” by SHINee
Is a relationship that is doomed from the start even worth it? The group sings about a toxic relationship that had intense highs and lows up until the end, and that even after that they still think of their ex. We’ve definitely all been there, especially when our friends warn us about someone but we go after them anyways.
- “Pity Party” by JAMIE
Sometimes we have to acknowledge that we’re part of the problem too when it comes to breakups, and this song by talented singer JAMIE talks about throwing yourself a pity party and bouncing back after a particularly toxic breakup!
- “XOXO” by JEON SOMI
If you’ve ever been cheated on or found out there was “another” person in the relationship,this song is for you. SOMI sings a cheerful tune about her terrible ex that used her and cheated, and how she’s moving on by deleting his number and ripping up old photos.
- “I hate you” by WOODZ
Being neglected in a relationship sucks! Plus, it causes a lot of built-up resentment,which is where WOODZ is coming from as he talks about his ex who always ignored him and covered it up with lies.
If you’re experiencing puppy love…
- “Pretty U” by SEVENTEEN
Ever liked someone so much you thought of them when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night? So much that they’re the cure to your sickness, just as food cures your hunger? Those analogies are the literal lyrics of this cutesy song about wanting to tell someone that they’re just so pretty!
- “What is Love” by TWICE
An iconic bubblegum pop song by the most famous bubblegum K-pop artists in the industry! Is love like flying in the sky? Is it sweet like candy? They want to know! The sweetest and catchiest tune about wanting to fall in love.
- “#WYD” by iKON
A slower but still adorable song about asking your crush what they’re up to, and making excuses to talk to them just because. Though they’re the same guys that sang about heartbreak and trying to move on, it seems like they’re just as sensitive to falling in love as they are to falling out of love.
- “LIKEY” by TWICE
Another upbeat song from the queens themselves, “LIKEY” is a cute and repetitive song that talks about simply that: liking someone!
- “Talk & Talk” by fromis_9
What more could one want than a cute, girly song about talking to your crush over the phone? fromis_9 executed the concept perfectly, with upbeat lyrics and expressive singing as they gush about a simple phone call with someone they like.
If you’re in a happy relationship…
- “strawberry moon” by IU
IU’s beautiful vocals carry the listener through this sweet song as she talks about getting lost in love with someone, and feeling like she’s flying through the sky when she’s with them. Soft, romantic, and pretty, this song is a must for Valentine’s Day!
- “Home” by SEVENTEEN
When someone feels so familiar and comforting that just being around them is like being home: that is the feeling that SEVENTEEN tries to talk about in this song, a slower tune with sweet, comforting lyrics.
- “Darl+ing” by SEVENTEEN
Another sweet song from Seventeen, their first all-English single talks about wanting to talk everything out with a significant other, wanting to know everything about them so that you can understand each other better. A more mature, communicative approach to a love song, but just as cheesy and romantic!
- “Feel Special” by TWICE
The lyrics to this song might be a little sad, but it makes one think about the one person they can always turn to when they have a bad day. TWICE sings about that one particular person in their life that always makes them feel special, no matter how down in the dumps they are, and that’s beautiful!
- “Just One Day” by BTS
What would you do if you only had one day left to live? This oldie from BTS talks about all the things they would do with their partner if they only had one day left with them, from taking them shopping to having deep conversations about anything and everything. It’s soft, sweet, and very reminiscent of a cute new relationship.
If you’re feeling spicy…
- “Red Lights” by Stray Kids
Fairly self explanatory, but if you take one look at the music video you’ll see why it’s spicy…and with the common association of red LED lights and sexy times? They knew what they were doing here.
- “Love Talk” by WayV
The English version sounds much more explicit, but the original Chinese version has a different allure to it… Although this is technically C-pop, WayV belongs to K-pop group NCT, and they prove that this song is sexy in any language.
- “Love Shot” by EXO
Another fairly self explanatory song, especially if you watch the choreography paired with the sultry lyrics. Definitely a classic sexy song.
- “28 Reasons” by SEULGI
If a song starts out with the lyrics “I kiss your brother, I steal that heart…” you know it’s about to get interesting. SEULGI’s sexy lyrics talk about teasing someone that’s really into her, and the slow beat puts the song right underneath the spicy category.
- “TASTE” by Stray Kids
We all know what taste they’re talking about. 10/10 song and choreography.
BONUS
- “ALL ABOUT LOVE” by MONSTA X
Doubling as their first all-English album, this collection of love songs from MONSTA X has a song for every situation in itself. If I could have, I would have fit every song from this album onto the list, but it’s more productive to just recommend the album as a whole anyways. From friends with benefits to breakups to cheating, there’s a song for every situationship and relationship you could imagine.
- “Mixtape: On Track,” “B Me,” and “Mixtape: Oh, The View” by Stray Kids
An alternate universe written by Stray Kids themselves, these four songs follow a plotline full of heartbreak, friendship, and self love. When you read into the lyrics and the symbolism in the music videos, it only becomes more apparent. Especially the first installment in the series, “Mixtape: On Track,” these songs all give serious Valentine’s Day and lovey vibes.
But seriously: whether you’re single or taken, loving or hating, happy or sad, we hope that Valentine’s Day has something to offer you. (Even if all it is is this playlist on Spotify.)