25 K-Pop Songs For The Spotify Playlist You Cry To

If you're like me, you have a million Spotify playlists for pretty much anything and everything. From working out to extremely specific forms of synesthesia, I have a playlist for almost everything, even if they are not entirely universal. However, almost everyone has that one playlist they put on after a break up or whenever they've had a stressful day at work and just need to cry.

A good sad song does not only have sad lyrics, but the entire vibe will often feel sorrowful. Whether it involves more than two string instruments or has a BPM under 60, there are several ways that artists create the ultimate sad song worthy of any Spotify playlist curated specifically for crying.

K-pop may not be traditionally associated with sad song, but there are some songs out there that will make even those who do not know any Korean cry. Sad songs are universal and here are 25 K-pop songs perfect for your sad Spotify playlist.

#1: eight by IU (Prod. & Feat Suga)

No perfect curated crying K-pop playlist is complete without IU. I've chosen her song "eight" because of the meaning behind the song. It is dedicated to two of her friends who were also idols--Jonghyun of Shinee and Sully of f(x)--both of whom died by suicide.

Despite what may seem like an upbeat song is deceitful when you hear IU's longing vocals and come to understand the meaning behind the song. It is a beautiful tribute that makes even the most hardened K-pop stan cry.

#2: Blue & Grey by BTS

BTS is good at creating sad songs, but this is probably one of the saddest from an objective point of view. Using two colors commonly associated with depression, "Blue & Grey" was released in the middle of pandemic and relates the hopelessness many of us--including BTS--felt. Now, knowing that they never planned to release this album at all due to overwork and burn out and enter the military around the end of 2020, it creates the perfect vibe for the type of depression that creeps up on you.

#3: She's In The Rain by The Rose

One of the quintessential sad K-pop songs by one of the most underrated K-pop groups. "She's In The Rain" is a ballad that feels like walking in the rain after a break up, but does take solace in finding another person walking in the rain, tears and raindrops mixing together.

Beyond the meaning of the song, this song is absolutely beautiful and tells a story. You may cry simply from the music itself.

#4: Fine by Taeyeon

Taeyeon is the vocal queen of second generation K-pop and her voice is perfectly suited for a melancholy ballad. "Fine" is a classic and one which I think touches on a type of universal sadness.

#5: Goodbye by 2NE1

Disbandment songs have a reputation of being sad, particularly for the fans of the group. However, 2NE1's disbandment song remains well known and made more than just their fans emotional. Personally, the lyrics remind me of "Spring Day" by BTS (which is not on this list because I already had too much BTS and I think it's just as hopeful as sad).

There is an undercurrent of hope in this song too, but it focuses more on the worries and anxiety that come with leaving people you love and making a major change.

#6: The Last by Agust D

On first listen, this may not seem like a sad song. However, reading the lyrics and listening to the song, it creates an intense experience. I cried the first time I listened to this song and it remains a meaningful one to me today. The song could be triggering as it deals directly with themes of depression and suicide. To me, it is raw and sad, especially since it comes from personal experience.

#7: Gone by Rosé

A classic break up song this song is probably one of the least sad on the list, but I also think it's one that is approachable and relatable. If you're sensitive to sad songs, this is the one to start with.

#8: The Astronaut by Jin

I tried to avoid putting songs that were sad to only a specific group of people on this list. For example, many BTS songs are really only sad to the fandom and may not be percieved as sad outside of it. However, I've somewhat made an exception for Jin's solo, "The Astronaut."

As his farewell as he goes to serve his mandatory military service, this song not only means a lot to BTS fans, but I believe it did impact the entire K-pop community.

#9: If You By Big Bang

A regretful breakup song, "If You" is a classic. Again, it probably won't have you crying your eyes out in agony (unless you literally just went through a break up), but it is generally somber.

#10: The Truth Untold by BTS

Based upon a tragic Italian story, "The Truth Untold" is one of the saddest songs. No matter the interpretation: unrequited love, loneliness, a prisoner yearning for the outside, someone hiding within themselves, there is a deep melancholy.

#11: Pray (I'll Be Your Man) by BTOB

Okay, this one is if you're feeling sad and a little angry. It's an intense song, but sometimes that's exactly what we need to get those tears out.

#12: Sorry, I Love You by Stray Kids

Deciding to tell someone you like them is scary, but when it leads to an ending friendship, that is the stuff that keeps people from confessing in the first place. This song plays that out in a way that will make your heart ache.

#13: Wonder by Eric Nam

A song about "the right person, wrong time" but with mental health and substance abuse issues mixed in.

#14: Stay Alive by Jungkook (Prod. Suga)

The song carries a narrative quality that feels like a warrior telling his love interest to run and stay alive while trying to save their life. It also can be interpreted in other ways that are a little darker. Thus, giving this song a lot of depth.

#15: Hate That... by Key (feat. Taeyeon)

A touch jealousy and regret give this breakup song the edge it needs to truly feel sad. Like a couple of other songs on this list, it's not the most tear jerking, but it may be in just the right situation.

#16: uhgood by RM

Based on the idea that we always tell each other we are fine when we are not, this song dives into that dichotmy. This entire album has a theme of sadness and depression. This song has gotten me through a few things and almost helps you sit with your sadness more

#17: Wish You Back by Han (Stray Kids)

While I do not know the back story for this song, it feels like grieving and wishing you could have your loved one back. Of course, it could be a break up song, but it has complexity that make it a song about missing someone and grieving whether they are dead or alive.

#18: Let Me Out by Jonghyun

Sometimes we keep our sadness bottled away for the benefit of others. Yet, all we want is for someone to notice it.

#19: Lost One by Epik High (feat. Nell)

If you know anything about Epik High and Tablo, this song likely has some context for you. Even without this context though, the song is about not wanting your child to follow in your footsteps and wanting them to have an easier life. While that doesn't sound sad, it comes with disparaging yourself to shreds.

#20: Our Page by Shinee

The death of Shinee's Jonghyun shook the K-pop industry and made companies, idols, and fans look at the culture that breeds untreated depression among idols. The members of Shinee's next album came out roughly a year following his death and contained this beautiful tribute to Jonghyun and their time together. I can't listen without crying.

#21: You Were Beautiful by Day6

This song seems shallow at first. However, it goes deeper than just regretting a break up because their partner was beautiful. It contains raw emotion and I think takes a genuine look at how break ups feel immediately afterward.

#22: Butterfly by BTS

We have all tried to help a friend struggling with mental illness. It is scary and filled with uncertainty in the worst of times. This song is both examining being the hand to reach out and being the hand held.

#23: Gone Away by Stray Kids

The lyrics of this song are sad, but not the saddest on this list. Yet, the actual music itself is sad and hard to listen to at times. It is beautiful and I think shows how we can show saddness and expression through more than just words.

#24: I Quit by CL

Sad and angry come to mind for this song. This isn't an aching sadness, but a frustrated one.

#25: Maze In The Mirror by TXT

Many TXT songs have sad elements, but this song's lyrics are among the saddest I've come across. There's nothing like feeling like you are the one to be reflecting, but not reflected and understood.