K-pop is known for its catchy beats, fierce performances, and incredible choreography. But believe me, there’s so much more beneath the surface. There are songs that have been a safe space. They help me process emotions, remind me of where I've been, and comfort me when I'm not sure where I'm going.
If you’re looking for a playlist to help you reflect, here are 10 K-pop songs have become my personal comfort songs. They’re the ones I turn to when I need to reflect on life, to get grounded, or just to feel like someone understands me.
1. SEVENTEEN Vocal Team – Cheers to Youth
“Cheers to Youth” by SEVENTEEN feels like a mirror to my own journey. That line, “It just so happens that it’s our first time living today,” stays with me. It reminds me it’s okay to not have everything figured out.
The song captures the quiet struggle of growing up, the self-doubt, and the moments when the world feels too much. But even then, it gently says: look for the small things that make you smile. It’s become my reminder that growth doesn’t have to be perfect, just honest.
2. ATEEZ – Turbulence
“At the end of this road, where should we be? What should we become, in what form?”
This line has stayed with me ever since I first heard it. It perfectly captures the confusion and pressure of not knowing what lies ahead, of trying to figure out who you're becoming. “Turbulence” doesn’t offer a clear path or solution, but that’s exactly why it resonates. It mirrors the moments when everything feels uncertain and heavy.
But even in its chaos, the song reminds me I’m not alone in feeling this way. It’s okay to question, to pause, and to not have it all figured out. That’s what makes this song feel like a safe place.
3. DAY6 – Happy
“Algorithms only apply to good people.”
That line hit hard. As someone trying to make content that matters, it’s frustrating watching the algorithm favor the already-popular while creators like me feel invisible. It often feels like no matter how genuine or consistent you are, it’s not enough unless you’re already known.
This song puts into words the quiet hope I carry - that maybe, just maybe, I’ll have a day where things finally go right. A day where I don’t have to second-guess every post or overthink every idea. “May I be happy?” It’s not just a lyric - it’s a real, ongoing question.
And in the middle of all that, “I just want to live simply and easily.” Don’t we all?
4. XDINARY HEROES – Save Me
“Save Me” by XDINARY HEROES speaks to anyone feeling overwhelmed by the weight of their past and uncertain about their future. The line “Please God, save me, the memories are killing me” perfectly captures the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of hurt, with no clear way out.
Living in South Korea, pursuing my dreams, this song feels especially relevant. There are days when the pressure of everything seems too much, and I can’t help but feel like I’m stuck, trying to navigate a foreign world. “Pain makes you stronger,” but in moments like these, it feels more like the pain is too much to bear. “Don’t try to break me, ‘cause I’m already broken” is a plea for it all to stop, a wish for some relief.
Yet, even in these moments of despair, the song reminds us that it’s okay to ask for help and to hold onto the hope that tomorrow will be better.
5. JJ Project – Tomorrow, Today
JJ Project’s “Tomorrow, Today” captures the heart of feeling uncertain and overwhelmed by the decisions we face, day after day. “Again today, there are questions I don’t know, I’m trying to answer but I’m not confident” - this lyric hits hard. It’s that daily struggle of having to make choices without feeling entirely sure about any of them.
We’ve all been there - facing two paths and wondering, “Is it this way or that way?” The pressure to make the right choice, to know the outcome, can be suffocating. “I’m afraid of my decision, with an anxious heart, heart, heart, heart” - it’s a feeling of standing on the edge, unsure which direction to take, overwhelmed by the weight of those decisions.
Every day feels like I’m standing in front of a new choice, one that leads to a path I’ve never been on before. It’s not just one decision, but a constant series of moments that require us to make choices, even when we don’t have all the answers. And the fear of making the wrong choice? It’s real. But in these moments of uncertainty, we’re reminded that it's okay to not have everything figured out.
6. Woozi – What Kind of Future
Woozi’s "What Kind of Future" captures the uncertainty we all face in life. The song opens with a sense of denial, wishing that our struggles were just a dream, hoping for a different reality. “As if nothing happened, I told myself it was all a dream,” expresses the way we often cope with the weight of difficult moments.
The lyrics explore the feeling of not having everything figured out. “Our past that didn’t line up” reflects how life doesn’t always go as planned, and we question whether we can ever move forward. The song’s chorus, “Although I don’t wanna see you, I miss you, although I hate you, I miss you,” represents the emotional conflict we face when dealing with change - feeling torn between moving on and holding onto what we know.
The post-chorus “What kind of future is come before us?” reflects our constant search for meaning, even when the path ahead is unclear. Ultimately, the song highlights the confusion and uncertainty of life, and the need to move forward even without all the answers.
7. Woozi – Simple
Listening to Woozi’s "Simple" always makes me think about how much I long for a simpler life. Some days, it feels like happiness is just a dream, and I can’t help but want things to slow down. The line “I just want it simple, simple” really resonates. Sometimes I wish life wasn’t so complicated, and we could find peace in the small, simple moments.
There’s so much noise and pressure in the world, and I often feel like I’m just trying to find my way through a maze. But Woozi’s reminder that “Even if everyone says I’m wrong, I hope we can all smile when the night is over” brings some hope. At the end of the day, maybe it’s about letting go of the complications and appreciating the simplicity in life.
8. BOL4 – To My Youth
“How painful must it have been? How high must my hopes have been?”
This song feels like a heartfelt conversation with my younger self, someone who often wished to disappear, feeling lost in the world. “To My Youth” reminds me of those dark moments when happiness seemed so far away, and I felt disconnected from the world around me. But like the song says, time truly is a healer. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of pain, we can find a way to rise.
The line “I couldn't fall asleep peacefully for a single night, because maybe if I keep trying to get up like this, I will find myself” speaks to that quiet hope, a reminder that healing takes time and that finding peace is a process. Despite the struggles, it reassures me that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
9. DAY6 – I Wish
Listening to "I Wish" by DAY6 really resonates with me on those days when I feel like I’m not enough. Like the lyrics say, “I wish I was happier,” it’s that same feeling of wishing for more, yet not knowing how to make it happen. I catch myself wishing for happiness every day, but sometimes I don’t know how to get there. It’s frustrating, especially when you feel like you’re constantly fighting an internal battle, trying to express emotions that get stuck inside.
Like the song says, “Nobody can treasure me more,” and it’s easy to forget that I’m the one who needs to start valuing myself more to find that happiness.
10. SEVENTEEN - Yawn
"Yawn" by SEVENTEEN really makes me reflect on the times when I’ve tried so hard to hold on to something or someone, only to realize that letting go is sometimes the best choice for my peace. The lyrics, “Don’t hate yourself, you know it was a good choice,” hit home.
There are moments in life when making tough decisions feels so painful, but deep down, I know it’s for the better. It reminds me that sometimes we carry pain alone, not realizing that it’s okay to let go, even when it hurts. It’s a reminder that I shouldn’t feel sorry for choosing myself or making choices that bring growth, no matter how hard they may seem.
A Personal Take
These songs are more than just tunes to me. They’re my emotional anchors, my comfort when life feels overwhelming. Whenever I need to feel understood or find some peace, I turn to these K-pop tracks.
What are your personal comfort songs? Let me know in the comments. I’m always looking to expand my playlist with tracks that offer a little comfort.
