There are only a few days in a year that can ignite the kind of trepidation, excitement and unfaltering hope like Valentine’s Day can. Come February 14, big plans are made. From romantic candlelight dinners to cosy movie dates, from heartfelt letters to roses and chocolates, every grand gesture makes it to the to-do list.
This year, as you plan the perfect day for your Valentine (or soon-to-be one!), remember that after all is said and done, there is one time-tested love potion you cannot do without — the perfect playlist of romantic songs. Music connects two hearts as few other things can. Often, a song is the best way to convey what is left unsaid. If this has made you scramble to curate a playlist, fret not. Here are some unique suggestions to spare you the hard work. While we are sure that artistes like Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift will probably make it to your list, here are a few Korean love songs for you and your special someone. If you thought that there were no more words left in your vocabulary to confess your love, think again, because now you get to do it in one more language. All hail the gods of love, we say!
Stay with Me by Chanyeol and Punch
There’s no way we are starting the list with anything other than this epitome of a love song. A gem from the OST of the K-drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (a masterpiece itself), Stay with Me is about those wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Vulnerable and heart-touching, the track captures the euphoria and apprehension that anybody in love experiences. But it is not just the lyrics that take our breath away. The melody drips with a beautiful poignancy and lures the listener in. The incredible guitar riff that begins the song is iconic — a fan-favourite among K-drama lovers. Add to the mix Punch’s raspy, dreamy voice and the crisp vocals of EXO’s (K-pop boy band) Chanyeol, you have yourself a love song that is unforgettable.
Dream by Bae Suzy and Baekhyun
Can we all agree that we need more of Suzy-Baekhyun love songs because this vocal pairing is just chef’s kiss? The sweethearts of the K-pop world, Bae Suzy (former member of K-pop girl group Miss A) and Baekhyun (of K-pop boy band Exo), came together to gift all music lovers this absolute beauty of a jazzy melody in 2016. Dream is as dreamy as a love song can get. The mellow melody and soft-spoken utterance of the lyrics make it seem that the track is a lover whispering sweet nothings. There is something so cosy, warm and intimate about Dream and that’s probably the X-factor that makes the song so memorable. If you were trying to let your sweetheart know how it all seems like a “sweet dream”, this is your song.
Friday (feat. Jang Yi Jeong) by IU
There’s a reason why IU is so hugely popular as a K-pop artist. Her honey voice and adorable idol image are a magic combo and in Friday, we get a glimpse of both. A part of her album Modern Times — Epilogue (2013), Friday is a track that will resonate with all, especially if you have just found your Valentine. When newly in love, even a day without the other person seems like an eternity. The weekdays seem to come in the way of frequent meetings, but Friday brings a sweet reunion. This is the perfect song to dedicate to a budding romance and a Valentine you cannot wait to go on dates with.
You are my Everything by Gummy
What’s a romantic song that doesn’t let your beloved know of your all-consuming love? You Are My Everything by Korean singer Gummy is one of those tracks that you want to slow-dance to in your living room, with the soft glow of fairy lights in the background. A part of the OST of the K-drama Descendents of the Sun (another to-binge K-drama to bookmark!), this song is brimming with a multitude of emotions that those in love inevitably experience. If you feel like you have finally found your star-crossed lover, You Are My Everything is one song that’s tailor-made for you. Beautifully melodious, the track has minimal musical accompaniment and one can feel the raw passion and intensity in Gummy’s voice that reaches a sensational climax in the end. If you had any doubt that cosy date night at home might not turn out to be a success, just put this song on and let the music take over.
Rose by D.O.
The quiet pursuit of love is an incredible sensation. Being smitten with someone, all the while nurturing the hope of winning them over with your blooming love is something every young lover has gone through and that makes this track by K-pop boy band EXO’s D.O. super relatable. A track from D.O.’s Empathy (2021) album, Rose is an adorable ode to someone special you are yet to call yours. If planning the perfect confession has put you out of ideas, just let the other person listen to Rose. There is hope, there is pining and the promise of a beautiful love if only that person says ‘yes’. In tandem with the lyrics, the track’s music and rhythm are youthful, jovial and upbeat and make for the perfect background score to an evolving love story.
Make it Right by BTS
Make it Right by BTS
We can’t really leave out our Bangtan boys when talking about Korean music, can we now? While love songs are peppered throughout BTS’ discography, there is something about Make it Right that hits us right in the feels. BTS usually goes all out in most of its tracks but there is a certain simplicity in Make it Right that pulls on our heartstrings like few other love songs. The song flows as easily as a conversation between two lovers who have been through it all. If love were nothing but an unwavering reassurance that everything is going to turn out fine, it is this track that perfectly captures this magical sentiment. The pre-chorus is arguably one of BTS’ best and the lyrics beautifully encapsulate what love actually is all about. After all, all we need at the end of the day is someone who, in spite of everything going wrong, ‘makes it right.’ If that isn’t the spirit of Valentine’s, we don’t know what is!