How to learn Korean fast: 8 best K-pop songs for beginners

Want to know how to learn Korean fast? If you enjoy listening to K-pop songs, you are in luck, as this is one of the best ways to master the language.

Grooving to oh-so-catchy tunes and bopping to beats, it turns out, is a great way to learn the language of one of the most exciting countries in the world today.

Research has shown that music can boost memory and how we learn, creating new pathways in your brain that aid in learning a new language.

Many already know this and are making the most of how our brains are wired to understand Korean.

According to a study by LTL Language School, many are mastering Korean through K-pop songs, using repetitive lyrics to learn and remember new words and pronunciations.

Why is the Korean language so popular?

The Korean language has boomed in popularity in recent years — a trend that’s set to add to its current count of almost 82 million speakers of the language in the world. \

According to Duolingo, it is the sixth most popular language to learn globally.

But why is the language becoming so popular? Is it the K-dramas, K-pop hits or Korean skincare that have caused this surge?

Aside from all of it being really good, according to Stanford News, many have gotten hooked because of how widely available and accessible it is.

The plot that keeps you on your toes to the catchy songs that you can’t stop singing, combined with the good-looking celebrities, has caught the world’s attention.

Bands like BTS, BLACKPINK and EXO have become household names and as such many are eager to learn the language so they can understand their new favourite hits.

Of course, let’s not forget the man who started this interest in Korean songs. Psy’s Gangnam Style took over the internet in 2012, paving the way for more K-pop songs to find success outside of their native home.

So enduring is this mega-hit that it is still one of the most popular videos on YouTube, with over five billion views.

That’s equivalent to everyone in a country with a population more than triple the population of India watching it once.

Since Psy took over the world by storm together — with seemingly everything else made in Korea — this has grown the number of people eager to learn the language.

In 2009, there were only about 8,449 students studying Korean in the US. However, in 2021 this number jumped to 20,000 students, nearly three times more in the span of around a decade.

A similar increase was seen in Australia, with the number of students enrolled in beginner Korean courses at the University of Western Australia increasing by 66% between 2015 and 2022.

How to learn Korean fast

When it comes to learning Korean, starting with the basics is key.

Begin by familiarising yourself with essential words and phrases like “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye”.

Understanding the Korean alphabet Hangul is also important as it makes reading and forming simple sentences easier.

With only 24 characters, Hangul is quite easy to learn, especially compared to other languages like Chinese, for which you need to know around 2,000 to 3,000 characters to read the newspaper.

You can learn Hangul through language learning apps such as Duolingo and Memrise, which offer interactive lessons and pronunciation exercises.

There are many other ways to learn Korean fast:

1. Watch movies and TV shows with subtitles
2. Travel to South Korea
3. Get a Korean boyfriend or girlfriend
4. Label objects in your home using Korean words

Can you actually learn Korean through K-pop songs?

When learning Korean, using K-pop songs can be a fun alternative to books, but the question is whether it is really effective.

When listening to K-pop songs, you definitely will be able to pick up some new words as you sing along to the catchy tunes.

However, don’t expect to magically become fluent in Korean, as these songs can’t teach you the ins and outs of grammar.

You might be able to impress your Korean crush with your newfound vocabulary, but when it comes to speaking, you’ll probably fall short.

But not to worry as Korean is one of the easiest Asian languages to learn. The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, is made up of 14 consonants and 10 vowels.

Plus, Korean is not a tonal language. This means, that regardless of your accent or pronunciation, one tone only has one meaning.

8 best K-pop songs that will help you learn the language 

1. Just One Day by BTS

As the biggest K-pop group in the world, it is no surprise that BTS takes the number one spot on the list of best K-pop hits for learning Korean. 

As you listen to the song, you’ll find it easier to follow along with the lyrics, thanks to BTS’s enunciation. 

Through repetitive listening and singing along, you’ll gradually pick up vocabulary, grammar structures, and even cultural nuances embedded within the lyrics. 

While the song is called “just one day,” BTS doesn’t actually say it in the song instead they say it in Korean, which is “haruman.”

The phrase “naege siganeul jwo” means “give me time” and is repeated throughout the song, allowing you to become familiar with the pronunciation and use of the word.

2. Love Scenario by iKon

Love Scenario by iKON is one of the best K-pop songs for those looking to learn Korean. Released in 2018, this song launched iKON to stardom and remains their most famous track. 

The repetitive chorus not only makes it easier to grasp and remember the words but also helps in practising pronunciation. 

As you listen to the song, you’ll find yourself picking up common vocabulary and phrases used in everyday conversations.

“Neowaui gieogeun ijebuteo sijagiya” is repeated multiple times throughout the song and means “our memories start from now on”, helping you remember the phrase and understand its meaning.

3. Solo by Jennie

You may be familiar with BLACKPINK, but did you know that one of the singers, Jennie, has released her own songs? 

Not only has she branched out on her own, but one of her songs has even made it to the list of best K-pop hits to learn Korean. 

“Nan meoljjeonghajana solo” which translates to “I’m doing fine, solo.” The repetition of “solo” makes it easy for you to catch onto this phrase and its meaning.

4. Lilac by IU

Lilac by IU is a K-pop hit that not only entertains but educates listeners as well. 

With its slower tempo, “Lilac” allows you to easily follow along with the lyrics, making it easier to pick up new words and phrases. 

You can easily pick up Korean words from the lyrics.

For example, phrases like “진하게 색이 드는 벚꽃 향기” (The intense scent of cherry blossoms) introduce you to vocabulary like “벚꽃” (beotkkot), meaning cherry blossoms.

5. Next level by aespa

If you’re looking for a K-pop song to amp up your Korean learning journey, “Next Level” by aespa is the perfect pick. 

What makes “Next Level” a great choice is its fusion of contemporary sound and pop culture references. 

Through this song you can pick up words that are used in daily conversations such as:

• nuguna – This means “everyone” or “anyone”
• modeun – It translates to “every” or “all”
• sesang – It translates to “world” or “society”

6. Hello Future by NCT Dream

If you’re eager to learn Korean through K-pop hits, “Hello Future” by NCT Dream should be at the top of your playlist. 

Its upbeat tempo will have you tapping your feet and singing along. 

Here are some examples of words from the song’s lyrics that can help you learn Korean:

• apeuro – This word which means “future” is repeated throughout the song, especially in the chorus
• neowa na – Which means “you and I,” is repeated in lines like “너와 나의 모든 순간” (every moment of you and I)

7. Dynamite by BTS

Making it to the list with a second song is none other than BTS. If you’re eager to learn Korean while grooving to the beat, look no further than BTS’s “Dynamite.” 

This upbeat anthem took the world by storm, and its simple, repetitive lyrics make it a great choice for those learning Korean. 

The chorus has a phrase that goes “환하게 불을 밝힐거야 다이너마이트처럼” (hwanhage bul-eul balghilgeoya daineomaiteucheoleom) which translates to “I’ll light up brightly like dynamite.”

8. Fantastic Baby by BigBang 

If you are interested in the Korean language and looking for a catchy tune to boost your learning, BigBang’s “Fantastic Baby” should be at the top of your playlist. 

 The song has a mix of catchy phrases and commonly used phrases. Here are some examples:

• “빨리빨리 빨리 나와요” (ppalli ppalli ppalli nawayo): This translates to “Quickly, quickly, quickly come out” and is repeated multiple times in the song
• “다 같이 놀자 YE YE YE” (da gat-i nolja YE YE YE): This translates to “Let’s all play together YE YE YE”