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There are a wide array of popular Korean singers nowadays who have many dedicated listeners both within Korea and abroad. The K-Pop scene has dominated pop music even in western countries, proving its popularity and ability to cross borders. With the amount of tremendously skilled idols, eye-catching fashion, complex dances and high production value, K-Pop gains more and more fans each day.
However, popular Korean music stretches back across the decades and has seen the release of iconic songs that endure even today. As the current pop music scene continues to develop, many of the current younger generation may be unaware of some of these artists and their work.
Plenty of hot and active idols have covered beloved Korean songs from the past few decades. Looking up to their respectable seniors of the music industry, they always manage to do so to a high standard while letting their own colours shine too.
These are some of the best covers by K-Pop idols of popular Korean songs from the 1970s to 2000s.
1. Kang Susie’s ‘Violet Fragrance’, sung by IU
Kang Susie is a singer who was highly popular during the 1990s. She debuted in 1990 with her debut album, “Violet Fragrance”, and was loved by many for her sweet and tender vocal tones and beautiful visuals. ‘Violet Fragrance’ is a song that describes the enchanted feeling of meeting that special someone. It showcases her charming voice and even over 30 years after its release, many still love the song. IU, who is currently one of the most popular singers, is also known for her distinctly delicate voice and was able to keep the audience captivated as she covered the song.
2. Kim KwangSeok’s ‘About Thirty’, sung by INFINITE’s SungKyu
A legendary folk-rock singer of the 1980s and 1990s, Kim KwangSeok has been consolidated as one of South Korea’s music legends. He initially debuted in 1987 with the activist folk band, Noraereul Channeun Saramdeul (노래를 찾는 사람들). In 1988, he gained great popularity as a member of the band, Zoo (동물원). The following year, he released his first solo album and continued to see success throughout the 1990s. ‘About Thirty’ is one of his most iconic songs. Who better to cover it than INFINITE’s SungKyu with his clean vocals and distinct tone?
3. Patti Kim’s ‘Seoul’s Maternal Love’, sung by Xdinary Heroes
New rising band, Xdinary Heroes, covered Patti Kim’s ‘Seoul’s Maternal Love’ on Immortal Songs 2 as part of the Patti Kim special edition episodes that ran over three weeks. Originally released in the early 1970s, ‘Seoul’s Maternal Love’ describes the sights of Seoul, the memories and the sense of love and hope that the city brings. Xdinary Heroes managed to put their own rock twist on the song while maintaining the same yearning for Seoul. Patti Kim herself looked thoroughly impressed by the young band’s performance.
4. Buzz’s ‘Thorn’, sung with EXO’s Chen and BaekHyun
What is better than two vocal powerhouses of 3rd generation K-Pop coming together to sing one of Buzz’s most iconic songs with the lead vocalist of the band, min kyung hoonhimself? Buzz is a rock-ballad band that debuted in 2003. Even now they continue to win listeners over with their heartfelt music and Min KyungHoon’s unique singing. Chen and BaekHyun’s soothing voices with Min KyungHoon’s unique vocal style (as well as ChanYeol’s air drums and guitar) is not something to be missed.
5. So ChanHwee’s ‘Tears’, sung by BTOB’s EunKwang
So ChanHwee’s ‘Tears’ is known for its notoriously challenging high notes in the chorus. It is a song that has been sung by many great vocal talents since its release in 2000. BTOB’s EunKwang is one of these great vocal talents. He showed off his undeniable talents once more by pulling off the high notes with ease, amazing even his own group members.
6. Yoon JongShin’s ‘Uphill Road’, sung by PENTAGON’s JinHo and YeoOne
Yoon JongShin is a ballad singer who debuted in 1991. He is known for his comforting and sincere songs. His discography consists of iconic songs including ‘Like It’, ‘The Vertical’ and ‘Uphill Road’. As part of PENTAGON JinHo’s series on Youtube called ‘Magazine Ho’, he sang ‘Uphill Road’ with fellow member, YeoOne. JinHo and YeoOne are the perfect members to cover the song with their outstanding vocal abilities. This was a soothing and emotional cover that keeps listeners coming back.
7. Lee MoonSae’s ‘Flying, Deep In The Night’, sung by MAMAMOO
Lee MoonSae is another one of Korea’s music legends, emerging onto the entertainment scene as a singer in the early 1980s. His most popular songs include ‘Sunset Glow’, ‘Only The Sound Of Her Laughter’ and ‘Flying, Deep In The Night’. MAMAMOO, a girl group that is known for their superb vocals, covered his song ‘Flying, Deep In The Night’ on Immortal Songs 2. They pulled off the song while expressing their own vocal and performance style. Through this, they proved why they deserve their nickname of ‘Vocal Queens’.
8. YB’s ‘A Flying Butterfly’, sung together with NCT’s TaeIl, DoYoung, JungWoo and HaeChan
YB are a Korean rock band formed in 1996 and are known for their retro but modern sound, strong performances and Yoon DoHyun’s raw and classic yet edgy rock vocals. TaeIl, DoYoung, JungWoo and HaeChan performed YB’s ‘A Flying Butterfly’ with the lead vocalist of the band behind the song. The four vocalists of NCT set up a captivating performance with Yoon DoHyun for the “2021 MBC Gayo Daejejeon”. All five of them flaunted their individual voices to put together a great show.