Summer is coming, and it’s a big time for k-pop. Whether you’re on a roadtrip with your friends, going for a walk, or hanging out by the pool, this playlist is sure to bring the vibes for the best summer yet.
1. Up! – Kep1er
“Up!” Is Kep1er’s magnum opus. This song is the freshest, poppiest, most summery track you’ll ever hear. The music video has such a bright and energetic vibe that makes you wanna get up and dance. The choreography is so unique and adds to the song. It’s so summery that it might be a bit overstimulating, but it’s a great song to keep you awake during a long drive.
2. Supernova – AESPA
AESPA broke the internet with “Supernova” last May. The synth and bass really give off a futuristic outer-space vibe. It’s not necessarily about love or anything in particular, but it does gives off messages of self-confidence and transformation. It’s a perfect upbeat song for your summer playlist.
3. POP! – Nayeon
“POP!” has a bright beat to it. The song is about the singer playfully teasing someone who has expressed their affection for her. In the song she talks about popping her lover’s heart like a bubble. Overall it’s a very cute song. This Nayeon’s first solo release and it slaps so hard. It’s such a great showcase of Nayeon’s vocals as well. If you like TWICE but haven’t heard this song yet, definitely give this a listen.
4. Queencard – (G)-IDLE
“Queencard” broke the k-pop world in the summer of 2023. This song is about self confidence and embracing it. The guitar gives it a bit of a rock undertone which really sells the message. I think all the members’ voices shine really well too. I especially like Yuqi’s voice in the second chorus. The hot pink outfits are so iconic and stand out so well.
The music video has a bit of a story itself. A sequel to their other music video from that album, “Allergy”, which was about feeling insecure and wishing so badly you could just look like your peers. In “Queencard”, however, the main girl played by leader Soyeon is on the operating table about to undergo plastic surgery. She dreaming about what her life will look like when she finally looks like the other girls.
Throughout the video she puts herself in other girls’ shoes and realizes that they have the same struggles as anyone else, and changing her appearance won’t make her life perfect. She quickly wakes up just in time and leaves the operating room. In the end, her phone blows up from a picture she posted the other night. The moment she had confidence, everything changed. That’s an excellent message especially for the summertime, where we’re supposed to be off of school and having fun.
5. Alcohol Free – TWICE
“Alcohol Free” is one of TWICE’s best tracks. It has a very tropical vibe that’s not too fast but not too slow. It’s about feeling so giddy about your crush or partner that you feel a bit tipsy, although you haven’t been drinking anything. It’s so relaxing and catchy that I could have it on loop for hours. Released the summer a year after COVID began, this was what we all needed to relax and forget about the state of the world. There’s even an English version if you’re interested.
Summer 2025 is just around the corner. It’s a happening time for k-pop, with many groups releasing music. There’s sure to be a lot more releases coming this summer to add to the list. If you’re a fan of upbeat pop tracks with the summer vibe, then this is the playlist for you.