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Every year even before the compliments of the new year can be shared widely, the Valentine’s Day gifts are already lining the shelves of stores. From chocolates, to stuffed animals, to spa treatments; everyone is on the lookout for the best kind of gift for their significant other or romantic interest.
For those who are aromantic, or simply not in the lovey-dovey mood, it can be a little bit hard to witness. Fear not, however. Even though Valentine’s day is over, the HallyuTones team is here to bring you a playlist of some Writer’s Picks that’ll have you feeling all loved up, but this time… there’s a catch.
We challenged the team to see if they could pick songs from different generations of Korean entertainment debuts. Let’s see what everyone was able to come up with:
Vince
2nd Gen – KARA – I do I do
This second generation group still makes genuine k-pop hits the old fashioned way. “Let’s go one more time, We’ll be together, magical this way,” they sing out in this magical comeback. There is a sweet, bubbly devotion in the lyrics, and while it can be liberally interpreted as either being towards a lover or their fans. Wholeheartedly embracing the joy they associate with their subject, they find themselves committing to a love and feeling they promise to cherish.
3rd Gen – Weki Meki – Crush
One of the third generation’s last groups, Weki Meki blasted onto the scene far ahead of their time with their teen crush concept, and what absolutely stands the test of time is their unabashed directness in their songs. Within Crush, they demonstrate a directness towards their, well, crush, with member Suyeon singing out in the bridge “I need you in my heart,” showcasing their own blossoming feelings. Weki Meki was a lot of things, and completely all in on their feelings is quite possibly the best way to describe them.
4th Gen – Nina – Love Like This
It’s been a long time since she’s released a song, and with a track as perfectly crafted as this in her discography, it’s hard not to miss this artist’s unique voice. With a fully English track, this CAP-TEEN winner makes a song worthy of standing among the biggest of the 4th generation’s music thanks to its simple but impactful production and Nina‘s wonderful voice. “Cause I can’t find no love like this,” she proclaims in the song’s chorus, a declaration that rings true throughout the rest of the song.
5th Gen – Soorin – Boys Can Be
A fifth generation soloist making her debut under ONEUL entertainment, also home to JooE of Momoland, this singer dropped her debut single album ‘Boys Can Be’ with the title track of the same name. With her debut title track, Soorin gleefully plays with her subject’s feelings, inviting them to be open about their feelings towards her. Despite what the title says, the song has a universal yearning, asking “Boys, can’t you love me, girls, can’t you love me,” and with a song this gleefully upbeat, it’s impossible not to feel the infectious drive for affection.
Tshego
5th gen – BBGirls – Love2
This fifth generation girl group (yes, they’re fifth gen) has gone through every possible high and low in their journey and still stands audaciously on stages amongst their colleagues. At the time that ‘Love2’ was released, it was likened by fans to ‘Ditto’ by NewJeans, but for a more adult audience. For this release, the Summer Queens presented a story about a love that feels warm no matter what season it may be. A symbolic message for their own journey, the song is full of hope that when the stars align, the opportunity for something long lasting, and fulfilling will arrive.
BBGirls brings a breath of fresh air with them whenever they return to the stage with new music. The members recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their debut as a group. This is proof that the industry is opening up its hearts to the prospect of long, fruitful careers for performers even as they grow older. We know that Lee Hyori and artists like BoA have often been seen as exceptions to the short lifespan of female K-pop idols but I am very hopeful that even fifteen years from now we’ll be celebrating their hard work.
Yeju – Doesn’t It All Sound Wonderful?
This choice is a nod to one of our upcoming guests who has a full length album on the way. This song is as hopeful as the title makes it seem. With light bouncy strings and Yeju’s unique tone leading the way, this song is the perfect backdrop to daydreams of a carefree love. The song starts off strong with “Can we just quiet the noise…” and continues to paint a vivid picture of sunlight and colourful laughter in summer memories that will keep you going through the hardships of adult life.
This song captures not only the singer’s own infectious positive energy, but also hope that feels needed now more than ever. It often feels childish to want a stress-free, buoyant love. It seems almost like people feel like suffering is an inevitable part of falling in love. Yeju acknowledges that “maybe when we’re old enough to know everything a grown-up’s gotta do, We’ll have too much to lose”, but the dreams we’ve come up with in the three minutes and forty-seven seconds of this song all sound wonderful, don’t they?
2nd Gen – Peach – IU
In the song ‘Peach’, IU seems to be describing her perfect type. Someone with a beautiful face, pretty legs, and a smile that drives her crazy. At first glance it’s easy to wonder whether she’s speaking romantically. However, as the K-pop community came to learn, this song was written about the intense affection and heartswell that knowing and loving her dear friend Sulli brought IU.
For my second generation choice I’m throwing back to some themes covered in the ‘S is for Spring, and Sappho’ piece published during October Pride Month. IU is an artist who has always worn her heart on her sleeve. Whether through her vocal timbre or the profound way she words the conversations in her lyrics, IU has always spoken about her very human life and experiences. In this song, she doesn’t shy away from having thought about marrying Sulli because “all the words of the world are probably not enough” to say what this love means. ‘Peach’ is a fine description of Sapphic love and fits perfectly into this list for its meaning. Apart from that, the song also draws the picture of a couple shyly walking up to each other with hearts racing; it’s a layered labour of love.
1st Gen – S.E.S – Dreams Come True
While others may point at the aespa version as their top pick, I fear I have to give the first generation their flowers when it comes to this song. The flute intro alone is enough to get on my feet and dance. The only way I can explain my affections for this song outside of genuinely enjoying its structure, is that it reminds me of a early 2000s Sunday afternoon at my family home in South Africa.
While many look at the breakdown as a rap that makes little grammatical sense, I would put it forward that that’s precisely the point. The song is follows someone who’s been swaying back and forth between confessing and not, they’ve been swept up in the “funny” feelings they’re suddenly feeling. So of course they’re going to bumble and stutter when they get to saying what they have to.
Zed
5th Gen – LATENCY – It Was Love
After Latency graced HallyuTones with their presence, I developed a new found appreciation for this song — reading through their interview answers swayed me into becoming a fan. I love rock music especially with an emotional undertone and hard hitting lyrics; ‘It Was Love’ ticks all those boxes. Members zzone (pronounced jee-jeewon) and Haeun participated in the songwriting – the lyrics focus on hindsight and the clarity that comes after distance from a relationship – an interesting correlation with the band’s name ‘LATENCY’. The members chose the name to mean “Our dream was delayed, but eventually it will be heard”.
4th Gen – NMIXX – Blue Valentine
I will try to bring up NMIXX in any given opportunity, and this is as perfect of an opportunity; ‘Blue Valentine’ explores a bittersweet love story. The ‘blue’ in the title suggests sadness, while ‘Valentine’ evokes romance, this juxtaposition creates an oxymoron that defines the whole song. The members sing about choosing to embrace love’s ups and downs even if it hurts. I love this song’s powerful vocal delivery and dynamic production shifts in usual MIXXpop style.
3rd Gen – EXID – I Love You
If you haven’t guessed from the title, the song is about loving someone. It is an open declaration of bold, brazen love. What I love about this song is how the first verse is solely comparing love to different foods. The addictive “I love you like, lalalala” voice is also a key part of what I like about this song. While the sample is common, it stands out here thanks to the powerful vocals of the group’s members. Unfortunately, EXID has not been active as a group since their special single album ‘X’, which they produced independently, in 2022 but they have left behind a legacy of bangers for listeners to enjoy until the next one.
2nd Gen – f(x) – 4 Walls
A captivating song about the intense, consuming nature of love. The title represents being enclosed by love, the lyrics describe love as a ‘mirror maze’ where the only reflection is their affection from their lover rather than reality. I wasn’t familiar with the garage/house music genre but I really enjoyed this song — just like the ‘4 walls’ theme about meeting a new person and wanting to embrace them — I got a lot more into the genre thanks to this song.
Nate
2nd Gen – 2NE1 – Missing You
2NE1 are one of the cornerstones of the 2nd generation of K-Pop, bringing electro-pop, hip-hop and powerful stage presence together into a superstar sized package.
‘Missing You’ wears its message on its sleeve. A slower tune compared to their typical sound, the song is perfectly accentuated by the quartet’s emotional vocals.
Not every love song is happy, and the lyrics of this song perfectly capture the melancholy feelings associated with a painful breakup, where someone is struggling to move on from their past feelings.
Altogether, this song is perfect to play on long, lonely nights (reference intended) to let those sad feelings out.
3rd Gen – Dreamcatcher – You And I
Love is not always a soft ballad or unspoken whisper, it can also be loud and exciting. Most of Dreamcatcher’s music fits this description, blending elements of rock, metal and power pop together to rouse a strong listening impression.
‘You and I’ is a musical masterpiece. With an orchestral vibe, the track blends guitars, keyboards, and layered vocals to great effect. JiU’s vocals start the track off with a soft and welcoming embrace before the song gradually swells to a bombastic chorus.
The lyrics are passionate and heartfelt , discussing dreams being fulfilled as they summon their loved ones. Additionally, the song has an almost magical feel, touching on themes of finding certainty through light in the darkness, like they are escaping from a spell.
If love for you feels enchanting and mysterious, this is the song for you.
4th Gen – STAYC – I’ll Be There
STAYC are well renowned for their instantly memorable songs, with distinctive vocal lines and industry defining choruses. But for all their chart-topping hits like Stereotype and ASAP, they also have many varied and interesting B-side tracks.
‘I’ll Be There’ takes a step away from their usual sound and towards a more low-key acoustic performance. The members each get a chance to shine, speaking candidly about one of the universal truths of love: a promise.
Love isn’t just about romantic gestures, or obligations. It’s a consistent commitment, whether to a friend, a family member, or a partner. At its core, it really is rooted in that one phrase, a promise that no matter life’s trials and tribulations, you are never alone.
STAYC takes this concept even further through the lyrics, exploring this idea through multiple lenses. The story of the song focuses on the girls reflecting on a relationship, the key moments and memories as they process their feelings.
The members reassure themselves of the validity of their emotions, justifying their sentiments and fighting against the naysayers. Their love is unwavering, and nothing will dissuade them.
5th Gen – Gyubin – Really Like You
Gyubin is a multitalented artist bringing a fresh and hand-crafted approach with her music. As a singer-songwriter, she has a direct input in the lyricism, themes, and sound of her songs. ‘Really Like You’ was her breakout hit, bringing a refreshing vibe that brings to mind the innocence and whimsical feelings of a developing crush.
With an acoustic guitar, sweet vocals and versions in multiple languages, this song has instant appeal. Love is a universal concept, and for all its intensity, challenge and passion, we must never forget that initial spark.
As Gyubin questions whether she likes the person as more than just a friend, the song carries through the message of hope; a dream of feelings being returned and the beginning of a new relationship.
Dani
2nd gen – 2PM – Love Song
2PM debuted in 2008 and quickly became one of the pillars of the second generation. Love Song, released in 2013, is about that love that shows up when you least expected it, when you had already given up on the idea of falling for someone again. And then this person appears like rain after a long drought, and suddenly you find yourself wanting to hold their hand, kiss them, stay by their side until the sun comes up. It is a song made for someone special, because everyday words simply are not enough. Even after Valentine’s Day, this is the perfect song to dedicate to whoever made you believe again.
3rd gen – GOT7 – Love You Better
For the third generation, we are going with GOT7, the group that debuted in 2014 and has been stealing hearts ever since. In 2020 they reached a whole new level of heartmelting with Love You Better. The song is about that love that cannot wait, that drops everything and shows up at the person’s window in the middle of the night just because the longing would not let them sleep. It is the kind of love you read about in books and think does not exist. It does, and who has never dreamed of being loved like that?
4th gen – P1Harmony – Fall In Love Again
Have you ever been afraid to fall in love again after being hurt? It is normal, we have all felt that at some point, haven’t we? But P1Harmony wants to make you love again without fear. The group that debuted in 2020 released Fall In Love Again in 2023, almost entirely in English to capture broken hearts around the world. The song is a direct invitation to anyone who has shut their heart down, with the whole group showing up and saying that not everyone is the same, that it is still worth taking the chance. And it is exactly that feeling of hope, of wanting to convince someone that love can still be beautiful, that makes this song so special.
5th gen – One Pact – Rush In 2 U
Everyone wants someone who loves with the same intensity, who shows up with the same energy you give. One Pact debuted in 2023 with the album Moment, and Rush In 2 U is one of the b-sides that stole the heart of everyone who heard it. The song is about an urgent and straightforward love, from someone who does not want to wait anymore and promises to rush to wherever you are, when the cold wind blows your way, when tears fall without you even knowing why. Even if it is not the most romantic song on this list, the melody and the vocals make all the difference, and together they guarantee that this song stays on repeat while you cannot stop thinking about that one person.
We hope that this playlist has made our readers feel the warmth and love that all humans deserve to feel. Whether partnered or single, everyone is worthy of a love that is fulfilling and makes them believe in a world where romantic love isn’t the only form of love that exists, nor the only form worth cherishing.
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