Alright, let’s talk facts. You can be multi-stan, solo-stan, soft-stan, hardcore-stan, OT-whatever, but if you’re a K-pop fan, there are just some songs that have taken permanent residence on your playlist. Rent-free. No lease. Just pure banger rights.
These are the songs you:
- Know all the fanchants for
- Tried (and failed) to learn the choreo to in your room
- Use as the soundtrack for your main character life
- Can recognize in 0.2 seconds from one beat drop or ad-lib
So here it is — the ultimate list of songs every K-pop stan has, had, or secretly re-added to their playlist after pretending to outgrow it (we see you).
1. BTS – “Dope” (쩔어)
Because you’re not a real stan until you’ve screamed “Jeon Jungkook, Department of Dance!” at full volume.
Instant serotonin. That saxophone loop? Historic. The energy? Pure chaos. The choreo? Unreasonably hard for a debut-era banger. Every K-pop fan’s workout song, motivation anthem, and nostalgia trigger.
2. BLACKPINK – “DDU-DU DDU-DU”
The national anthem of looking hot and walking like you own the runway — even if it’s just to the fridge.
That beat drop? That Lisa rap? Jennie’s “Click-clack” moment?? Oh, we ATE this up. Whether you’re a BLINK or not, this one lives in your head forever.
3. TWICE – “Fancy”
Twice turned a corner with this one and took all our edges with them.
Elegant synth-pop with a sprinkle of glitter chaos. Every stan has at some point whispered “I love you” along with Nayeon and felt like the main character in a K-drama.
4. Stray Kids – “God’s Menu” (神메뉴)
“DU DU DU DU” — if you didn’t just yell that in your head, you’re lying.
This one SLAPS. Even people who “don’t stan SKZ” (yet) know this track. The energy? Unmatched. The confidence? Unbothered. The performance version? Hall of fame.
5. EXO – “Love Shot”
The hips don’t lie, and neither do EXO-Ls.
Even if you weren’t around during the peak EXO era, “Love Shot” lives in your playlist purely for aesthetic reasons. It’s sultry, it’s sleek, and the choreo made the internet unholy for months.
6. SEVENTEEN – “Very Nice” (아주 NICE)
The clapping part alone deserves its own Grammy.
This song is a festival. Even people who’ve never stanned SEVENTEEN still find themselves yelling “Ajoo NICE!” like their life depends on it. And if you’ve seen them perform it live? You know the endless encore chaos.
7. ATEEZ – “Say My Name”
You whisper “Say my name” once and suddenly you’re in a pirate ship full of emotions.
ATEEZ always goes hard, but this one hits different. It’s got drama. It’s got swag. And it makes you feel like a main character preparing to start a revolution. Peak K-pop energy.
8. NewJeans – “Hype Boy”
NewJeans said “vibe” and the whole fandom obeyed.
This isn’t just a song. It’s a lifestyle choice. From TikTok trends to aesthetic playlists, “Hype Boy” slid its way into every stan’s playlist faster than you could say “attention grabbed.”
9. ITZY – “WANNABE”
That shoulder move? Oh yeah. We all tried it.
ITZY gave us confidence, glitter chaos, and a sense of identity with “WANNABE.” If you’ve ever lip-synced “I don’t wanna be somebody” in the mirror like you’re on Inkigayo, welcome to the club.
10. Red Velvet – “Psycho”
This song isn’t on your playlist, it’s in your veins.
Red Velvet’s duality era popped off with this one. Psycho is one of those smooth, dark, kinda tragic but still hot songs that every playlist needs to feel complete. And that Seulgi x Wendy vocal layering? GORGEOUS.
11. NCT 127 – “Cherry Bomb”
“I’m the biggest hit on the stage” – facts only.
This one’s for the NCTzens, but also for the chaotic energy enthusiasts. It’s weird, it’s wild, it’s a beat drop that makes no sense and yet EVERYTHING makes sense. If you’ve ever hit the floor during the choreo, you’re one of us now.
12. STAYC – “ASAP”
You may not remember all the lyrics, but that little “du-du-du-du” lives in your head rent-free.
STAYC girls? Slay. And this song? A whole personality. You’ve 100% danced along in your room or lip-synced dramatically in the shower to this one.
13. BTS – “Spring Day”
You didn’t choose emotion. Emotion chose you.
This one sits on every playlist like a quiet ghost of your feelings. It appears when you’re sad, or need to cry, or when you see cherry blossoms and remember a time you weren’t even alive for. “Spring Day” just knows.
14. (G)I-DLE – “TOMBOY”
Rebellious. Loud. A little unhinged. And we ATE it up.
This one became a TikTok anthem, a confidence booster, and a fire track for anyone ready to burn the rules. Even non-NEVERLANDs were yelling “I’m not a doll!”
15. TXT – “CROWN” (어느날 머리에서 뿔이 자랐다)
“One day a horn grew out of my head” and suddenly we all felt understood.
The emotional rollercoaster of this debut track still hits years later. Bops aside, TXT’s music always feels like growing pains in musical form — and this one’s an OG fave in every stan’s “emotional K-pop” playlist.
Honorable Mentions That Live On Repeat:
- SHINee – “View” (OG aesthetic pop)
- LE SSERAFIM – “ANTIFRAGILE” (iconic TikTok + confidence anthem)
- SNSD – “Into the New World” (the anthem of rebirth and unity)
- SuperM – “Jopping” (yes, it’s chaos. yes, we love it.)
- ENHYPEN – “Drunk-Dazed” (the vocals?? the energy?? the eyeliner???)
Why These Songs Stick:
- Unforgettable intros
- Insane choreo moments
- Lines that punch your soul in the face
- Emotional breakdowns in the bridge (you know the ones)
- Dance practice videos that we’ve watched 349 times
These are the songs that made you fall in love, cry, dance, scream, or maybe all four at once.