Disclaimer: This list was last updated December 2019.
Have you ever started listening to your favourite Kpop group only to discover that the unintelligible language they’re speaking is slightly different from the unintelligible language that you’re used to? Well fear not Kpop netizens, the same thing has happened to us all one time or another. In fact, the very song that hooked me into Kpop was BIGBANG’s Tell Me Goodbye--a Japanese release by the iconic boyband.
For decades now, Kpop groups have been experimenting with a variety of Asian languages. Japanese is by far the most popular option, but there have been many Kpop idols that have explored other regions as well. Groups like EXO has always released music in both Korean and Cantonese, and 4Minute even sang a version of Volume Up in Hindi! In this modern age of Kpop, we’re seeing our favourite idols pursue the Western markets with English and Spanish serving as target languages for many idol-group hits.
It’s easy to understand why music companies would want to extend their influence throughout the continent and beyond. The opening of markets is vital to the continuation of Kpop as it rockets towards world domination. Thus, I decided to create a list of some of the best songs that I feel embody these efforts most. But, before you read on, please note that this list will include songs that are not only performed in another language, but also songs that idols have translated themselves from another language, but performed in Korean. With that in mind, here are my picks for the Top 10 Non-Korean songs by a Kpop idol group.
Kara - Mister (Japanese)
Kara was the first Kpop girl group to perform dome tours due to the monster success of songs like Mister (along with Step, Go Go Summer!, and Jet Coaster Love). Furthermore, the only official version of this song is the Japanese version. Kara’s Mister was iconic in that it proved that a song by a Kpop group in another language market could cross over successfully. With Kara’s undeniable talent, and successful Japanese debut, it’s no surprise that their Japanese discography is as rich and entertaining as their Korean one.
EXO-M - History (Mandarin)
EXO-M will always hold a special place in my heart for being the first incarnation of EXO that I came to love. While many kpop fans are already familiar with EXO-M and EXO-K, some may not know that in the beginning there were two EXOs. They performed the same exact songs--though not as a supergroup that we recall with their breakout hit Growl. Instead, EXO-K performed the Korean version of a song, while EXO-M performed the Mandarin version. EXO-Ls basically got two songs for the price of one. As for History, EXO-K’s version is good, but something about EXO-M’s version just hits better for me. Personally, I felt that EXO-M was the all-around stronger version of EXO at that time, which is likely why I preferred their version to EXO-K’s.
Lunafly - A Ti (Spanish)
Before KARD and Super Junior became Latin-pop groups, Lunafly were the Spanish corner of the Kpop market. Due to their success in South America, they became the first Kpop idols to create music entirely in Spanish. A Ti is a gorgeously haunting ballad over a simple instrumental. The emotional vocals carry the song and they carry you away in the process.
Monsta X featuring French Montana - Who Do You Love? (English)
This song didn’t need the “rapper” French Montana. There, I said it! This is honestly one of THE best songs Monsta X have ever released and is probably the best English song by a Korean idol group. The vocals? Check. The funky chorus? Check. The ad libs? CHECK. Honestly, Who Do You Love? just deserves.
Girls’ Generation - The Great Escape (Japanese)
Girls’ Generation has had massive success in Japan, and it’s no wonder when you listen to their Japanese discography. Many, like myself, feel that it’s stronger than their Korean discography. The girls were allowed to be stronger and sexier by the time they set their sights on Japan and it shows with songs like Lips, Animal, Flower Power, T.O.P, etc. But really, I think we can all agree that The Great Escape is their best song. Period! Watch it live and then try to argue with me.
4Minute - Volume Up (Hindi)
While I also ADORE Love Tension, there’s something just odd about the music video for this version of their smash hit song, Volume Up. I will note that the guy fake-playing the saxophone in the music video and the random dancers are very confusing choices. That being said, Volume Up is lit in any language.
*WayV - Moonwalk (Mandarin)
Now, WayV is technically not a Korean group but they promote in Korea rather than in China so they count! There’s something incredibly smooth and sexy about everything WayV releases. They feel more New Edition than Backstreet Boys if you know what I mean? The chorus of Moonwalk is where the song peaks and I am dying for more vocals with less rapping from this version of unit of NCT.
BIGBANG - Monster (Japanese)
There’s something incredibly haunting about the way this song starts and that feeling continues throughout the song. TOP and GD rapping to the melody and growing more aggressive along with it was a genius choice highlighting their musicality. The rest of the guys follow their lead to create a pretty extra song about a girl they love whose feelings have changed.
Miss A - Love Alone (English)
This song is simple, yet it highlights how strong the members of Miss A were as a group. Frankly, they sound better in English here than they do in many of their Korean tracks because the unqualified ‘it’ factor is all over it. Most singers don’t get that it can truly come down to the way you choose to sing a word or note and that is not a problem for this former quartet. Ultimately, I just wish they had performed this live more.
Jonghyun – Y Si Fuera Ella (Spanish)
Only listen to this song if you want to break down in the corner of the shower afterwards. No other male idol singer can lock you into a note or a melody the way that Jonghyun did and he always did this so effortlessly. You know that he truly loves and believes in the music he provided to the world and he completely smashed this performance out of the park. Brb going to cry.