K-pop Summer Playlist

As seen in Cherry Chu Magazine.

Every year we scavenge for new music, ask our friends for recommendations, and listen to a million people saying they’ve found the “song of the summer.” Meanwhile, more often than not, the perfect songs have been abandoned in our phones while the cold winter months consumed our lives. Luckily, we’re here to remind you of all the fantastic, bubbly, and beachy songs you need to enjoy summer to the full. 

1. “Low Low” by WayV TEN & YANGYANG

Not only is this song filled with that addicting early 2010s boy group sound, but the lyrics are fun, flirty, and easy to memorize. Lyrics that are easy to memorize are easy to sing, and what’s better than driving home from a long tanning session while singing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs? Close to nothing!

2. “MANIAC” by VIVIZ

Maybe it’s because they sound like beautiful sirens, but we’ve been hooked on this song since its release and have been anxiously awaiting summer for the perfect time to listen to it. The beat is energizing and easy to follow while the chorus is incredibly catchy. We may be using the music video as our styling inspiration as well.

3. “Dropkick” by &TEAM

It’s hard to listen to this song without smiling and clapping along. Especially knowing about &TEAM’s bond, this song is definitely one to listen to while at parties and bonfires surrounded by your closest friends. A tip for the best listening experience: lighting sparklers and dancing around like crazy will only make this song sound better.

4. “Dolphin” by OH MY GIRL

Many summers have passed and yet we’re still singing this song every time the weather loses its chill. If we could visualize this song it’d look like a bright pink sunset, vividly green grass, and the bluest crystal water.

5. “Memories” by RIIZE

We most definitely did not get to love this song enough last year during its release at the end of the summer, so it is a must to bring back. While RIIZE has continued on to make vivacious house music and playful hip hop songs, for summer, it will always be “Memories.” 

6. “FOREVER 1” by Girls Generation

After a song is around for so long, it gets different memories of tanned skin, hair blowing around in the car, and sitting in the heat of summer nights all attached to it throughout the years. With the incredibly infectious positive beat of “FOREVER 1”, no matter the memory, we know it’s going to be amazing. 

7. “WORK” by ATEEZ

Whether it’s a full-time job or summer job, we know that working during the sunny days can sometimes get gloomy. Luckily, ATEEZ dropped a boss babe anthem just in time for everyone to have some money making motivation.

8. “ASAP” by STAYC

You know those scenes in early 2000s rom-coms where two friends are singing into their hair brushes, dancing around the room to perfectly memorized choreography, and are having the most epic slumber party? If there’s one song we’ll be living out that scenario to, it has to be “ASAP” by STAYC.

9. “Up to You” by PRETTYMUCH (feat. NCT DREAM)

We had to include a couple songs for those who love a little summer romance. No matter what the situationship, there’s most definitely a song for it and if you start to feel your cheeks heat up and have been a bit of a giggly mess recently, then this might be the song for you. 

10. “To you” by SEVENTEEN

You’re buckled in, your carry-on is above you, your personal item is below you, and the plane is taking off. Where are you off to? Who knows, but what we do know is that it’s bound to be beautiful. Even if you aren’t taking a vacation, this song will make you feel like you’re already on one.

11. “Feel the POP” by ZEROBASEONE

Though all of ZEROBASEONE’s songs sound like they have a bit of summer in them, we’d forgotten how fun balloons and bubbles were prior to rewatching this music video over and over. Plus, the concept for this comeback is a little bit undecided, showing us that we can be whoever we want, wherever we want.

12. “Glow” by Big Ocean

From the cover art to the group and song name, this screams summer and we plan on singing it nonstop. The only thing that would make this summer better is even more releases from Big Ocean (and maybe if we were listening to them on a beach).

13. “Bubble Gum” by NewJeans

Ever since NewJeans debuted in 2022, a NewJeans release is almost essential for the perfect summer. Everything looks brighter, there’s a sparkle in the air, and it gets a bit harder to hold back on breaking out into a little dance every now and then.

14. “THRILL RIDE” by The Boyz

The moment this song starts playing, we’re transported to an amusement park, cotton candy in one hand, a dripping ice cream cone in the other, running down the hot pavement with friends to line up for the next ride. The friends in this scenario also may be 11 guys known as The Boyz. 

15. “Summer Breeze” by SF9

This song encapsulates so much summer feeling that they put it in the name. Jumping around, listening to SF9, and just having fun. What more could we really ask for when it comes to the perfect summer?