Learn Korean with Pop rock Music with these 16 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)

Pop rock
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning Korean with Pop rock is a great way to learn Korean! Learning with music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. So music and song lyrics are a great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning Korean!
Below are 16 Pop rock song recommendations to get you started learning Korean! We have full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs recommended below, so check out all of our resources. We hope you enjoy learning Korean with Pop rock!
CONTENTS SUMMARY
1. What Can I Do
DAY6
너에게 나는 도대체 뭔 거니
내가 맘에 있기는 하니
만날 때마다 다른 넌
알다가도 모르겠어
What am I to you, after all
Am I even in your heart
You're different every time we meet
I think I know you, then I don't

DAY6 turn adolescent uncertainty into an electrifying pop-rock confession in “What Can I Do.” The narrator is hopelessly caught off guard by someone whose mood changes every time they meet, leaving him spinning with questions: Why do you pull me close then walk away? Why do I chase you even when I know it hurts? Every fleeting smile she shows becomes a new reason to stay, even while he scolds himself for falling deeper. The repeated cry “What can I do?” captures that dizzy mix of excitement and frustration that comes with a first intense crush.

Underneath the crunchy guitars and sing-along chorus, the lyrics sketch a tug-of-war between head and heart. He lists everything he should do—stop overthinking, stop following her around—yet each time he tries, her image pops back in his mind. In the end, his simple wish is disarmingly honest: I just like being with you, even if I have no answers. It is a relatable snapshot of anyone who has ever felt powerless in the face of unpredictable love, wrapped in DAY6’s signature energy.

2. Before The Stars
DAY6
어딘지도 모를 낭떠러지에 난 떨어졌고
점 하나같은 빛을 따라 내딛기 시작했어
몇 날, 몇 년을 걸어도
어둠투성이였었던 지난날
I fell off a cliff to who-knows-where
I started moving, chasing a speck of light
I walked for days, for years
My past was soaked in darkness

Before The Stars by South Korean band DAY6 is a sonic sunrise after a long, lonely night. The lyrics paint a cinematic journey: the narrator tumbles into an unseen cliff, wanders for what feels like years in total darkness, and finally spots a single pin-prick of light. Step by step, that flicker grows into a sky-wide explosion of starlight, so brilliant it stops him in his tracks. Overwhelmed, he breaks into song, watching the cosmos itself dance along.

At its heart, this track is a celebration of perseverance. Every star represents a hard-won hope, every note a reminder that even the smallest glimmer can guide you out of despair. After countless silent nights of self-comfort, the singer arrives at a moment he once only dreamed of and wishes it could last forever. It is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt lost yet kept walking, believing that somewhere ahead the sky would finally open and pour down light.

3. Sweet Chaos
DAY6
무너지기 시작해
나 어떡해
너 때문에
It's a sweet chaos
starts collapsing
What do I do
Because of you
...

"Sweet Chaos" captures that dizzying moment when someone new crashes into your life and turns everything upside-down… in the best way possible. DAY6 describe a world where right feels like left and left feels like right, where carefully laid plans collapse like sandcastles, yet every second feels electric. The song’s narrator admits that schedules are ruined, thoughts are tangled, and the future is suddenly unpredictable, but he cannot help smiling because the chaos is sweet—it is the proof that he is alive, feeling, and changing.

Rather than running from the confusion, the lyrics celebrate it. Each swirling guitar riff mirrors the rush of bumping into crowds on a busy street, while the chorus repeats that pivotal phrase: “It’s a sweet chaos.” In other words, love (or a powerful crush) can feel overwhelming, even scary, but it is also thrilling, refreshing, and inspiring. By the end, the narrator decides he would rather live inside this beautiful mess than return to his tidy, predictable life. The message? Embrace the storm, because sometimes the greatest growth—and fun—happens when everything spins out of control.

4. Maybe Tomorrow
DAY6
뭘 해도 똑같고 변함없잖아
그래도 뭐라도 하긴 하지만
나를 에워싼 아픔이 가실 기미가 안 보이지
지금이란 게 영원히 계속될 것 같아
It's all the same no matter what I do
Still, I keep doing something anyway
I see no sign the pain around me'll fade
Feels like this moment's gonna last forever

Maybe Tomorrow finds DAY6 standing on a cold, grey day, shoulders weighed down by worries that refuse to budge. The lyrics confess, “뭘 해도 똑같고 변함없잖아” - whatever I do, nothing changes - and paint a scene of tears brimming while the world blurs. Still, even in this bleak snapshot, the band keeps its gaze lifted, scanning the hazy horizon for a single glimmer of light.

That light is the promise of tomorrow. Each chorus flips the calendar page with quiet determination: wounds will sting less, the biting wind will soften, and lost smiles will return with the warmth of spring. By repeating Maybe tomorrow like a hopeful spell, DAY6 reminds us that we do not need certainty, only a sliver of belief - the idea that the next sunrise can be kinder than today - to keep moving forward.

5. Dream Bus
DAY6
몇 번의 알람에 기상
시간 보니 비상
내달려 탄 버스에 난 구겨진다
힘겨운 엔진의 소리
Up after a few alarms
See the time—panic mode
I sprint onto the bus and get crumpled
The engine groans

Dream Bus puts you right in the middle of a crowded morning commute, only the real destination is your dream. DAY6 turns the rattling engine, stale air, and cramped bus ride into a vivid picture of everyday struggle. While the singer is literally being “crumpled” between seats, he’s also squeezed by doubt and routine that threaten to fold his ambitions. The repeated alarms, the race to catch the bus, and the comparison with flashy cars all highlight how easy it is to feel left behind.

Yet the chorus flips that frustration into fierce determination. Gripping the swaying bus handle becomes a rallying symbol: no matter how much life jolts or staggers you, refuse to let go of your goals. With upbeat resolve, the song invites listeners to ask themselves whether they’re still chasing or already shelving their dreams. By the final line, DAY6 paints a hopeful image of finally arriving at the place you’ve been imagining all along—proof that even the roughest ride can lead to something extraordinary if you just keep holding on.

6. Take All My Heart
DAY6
거짓 사랑에 홀려 있다 풀린 너의 두 눈
두 뺨을 타고 끝도 없이 내려가는 눈물
더는 볼 수 없어 닦아주고 싶지만
난 너의 비극에 그저 관객일 뿐
Your dazed eyes, hypnotized by a fake love
Tears slide down both cheeks nonstop
I can't watch anymore; I wanna wipe them away
But I'm just a spectator to your tragedy

Lights up, curtains rise—and DAY6 invites us into a heartbreaking play where love itself is the script. Take All My Heart paints the scene of someone stuck in a toxic romance, eyes glazed by lies and cheeks streaked with endless tears. The narrator watches from the audience, aching to jump onstage, wipe those tears, and rewrite the story. Every line frames love as theatre: the spotlight, the hushed sighs, the lonely figure curled up at center stage. Yet this is no tragedy in the making; it is a plea for a casting change. The singer begs for a role, promising, "Give me a single line, and I’ll turn this into a happier ending."

The chorus bursts with unwavering devotion. If that false love keeps hurting you, I’ll make you smile. If heartache feels too heavy, don’t you cry. Grant me a place by your side, and I’ll safeguard your heart forever. It is an anthem of rescue and steadfast support, brimming with hope and courage. DAY6 transforms anguish into a soaring promise: let me love you right, and I’ll shield you until the final bow. One listen and you can almost see the velvet curtains closing on sorrow, opening on a brand-new act filled with healing, loyalty, and boundless heart.

7. Our Season
DAY6
사랑에 빠졌고 봄은 찾아왔지
얼었던 내 맘에 싹을 틔워냈지
때론 무더웠고 거센 비도 맞았지
그때 네가 있어서 추억이 됐지
I fell in love and spring came
Buds sprouted in my frozen heart
Sometimes it was scorching, we got drenched by fierce rain
Because you were there, it all turned into a memory

“Our Season” captures the journey of a love that rides through every twist of the calendar. DAY6 liken romance to the changing weather: it blooms like spring buds, swelters under summer heat, gets drenched by autumn rain, and even shivers in winter chill. No matter how fierce the wind or how many times the leaves fall, the pair keep finding their spring again. The message is crystal-clear: when two people hold on, time can loop, storms can roar, yet their personal “season” of love flows on without end.

Listening to this song feels like flipping through a colorful scrapbook of shared memories. You sense first-date butterflies, midsummer laughter, and cozy nights that thaw the cold. Every chorus is a promise that next year, and the year after that, the cycle will repeat and their bond will stand firm. It is a warm reminder that real love is less about perfect weather and more about staying side by side, umbrellas up, hearts wide open.

8. Dream Rider
DAY6
(Ten) 꿈에 그려왔던 계속 기다렸던 그게 오늘이야
(Nine) 아득해 보였던 잡히지 않았던 끝이 코앞이야
(Eight) 될 리 없다 무시하면서
(Seven) 비웃던 모두를
(Ten) The dream I pictured and waited for is finally here today
(Nine) The finish line that once seemed distant is right in front of me
(Eight) Brushing off “no way that’ll happen”
(Seven) Everyone who snickered

Ready for liftoff? “Dream Rider” opens with a dramatic 10-to-1 countdown, then blasts straight into a cosmic anthem about chasing your dreams at light-speed. DAY6 paints the image of a rocket fueled by self-belief, roaring past the doubts of everyone who once sneered. Flames fly, hope soars, and the singer straps all of his hard-earned experience onto that rocket, determined to surprise the world.

At its core, the song shouts a message of unshakable confidence: trust your own vision, ignite your passion, and shoot for galaxies no one else can see. As the “Dream Rider” disappears into the stars, the listener is invited to leave behind tangled worries, break free from old patterns, and become a brilliant new point of light in the sky. It is an exhilarating reminder that with enough fire in your heart, even the impossible is just another countdown away.

9. Sun, Stay Asleep
DAY6
밤이 깊어 가고 있어
거리에 그 많던 사람들은 집으로 다 갔지만
우린 이제 시작됐지
사그러들기는커녕 더 불이 붙기 직전이야
Night's getting late
Everyone who filled the street's gone home
But we're just getting started
Instead of fading out, we're about to catch fire

Sun, Stay Asleep sweeps you into that electric moment when the city streets have emptied, the neon is still buzzing, and two people are falling for each other under a lone streetlamp. DAY6 captures the head-rush of late-night love: synchronized footsteps, starry glances, and a fire that only grows brighter the deeper the night gets. Every second feels precious, so even the blink of an eye seems like wasted time.

The chorus turns that craving into a playful plea – “Sun, please don’t rise!” If dawn never comes, the magic of this night can last forever. The glowing skyline becomes their spotlight, the streetlight their candle, and the city itself cheers them on. It is a celebration of youthful romance that refuses to fade when the clock strikes morning, shining with the belief that as long as the night endures, love will keep burning beautifully.

10. So It’s The End
DAY6
숨 막히는 모험 끝에 여기까지 왔다
까마득해도 쉼 없이 달렸다
전쟁 같은 하루하루 이제서야 웃는다
안도의 한숨을 쉬고 눈물을 훔친다
After a breathless adventure, I've made it here
Though the end looked far, I ran nonstop
After war-like days, I'm finally smiling
I breathe a sigh of relief and wipe my tears

“So It’s The End” feels like rolling movie credits after an epic adventure. DAY6 paints a vivid picture of a hero who has sprinted through breath-stealing mountains, raging fires, and snow-covered fields, clenching their teeth through every wound. Now, at last, the battle is over: the screen fades to black, the audience exhales, and our protagonist trades tears and worries for smiles and relief.

In this uplifting finale, every scar becomes a badge of glory and every painful memory turns into history. The song celebrates resilience—reminding us that no matter how many twists, turns, and plot twists life throws our way, there is a moment when hardships fade, hope takes the spotlight, and happiness calls our name. Press play, imagine your own credits rolling, and enjoy that satisfying feeling of “I made it!”

11. I Loved You
DAY6
난 너를 원망해
또 너와의 시간을 미워해
너를 잃어버린 난
모든 게 무의미해
I resent you
I hate the time with you again
I'm the one who lost you
Everything's meaningless

Ever wished you could press delete on a memory that refuses to fade? "I Loved You" by South Korea’s rock band DAY6 dives head-first into that very struggle. Over driving guitars and aching vocals, the narrator admits he was once head-over-heels, yet now finds himself stuck in a loop of love, hate, and helpless nostalgia. He tries to convince himself, “I don’t even miss you”, only to confess moments later that every corner of his world froze the second she walked away.

The song captures the messy middle ground between heartbreak and healing. He tells himself he wants to forget, but the love was so real that forgetting feels impossible. The harder he pushes the memories away, the more they claw back, turning affection into frustration. It’s a raw, relatable snapshot of post-breakup denial: loving so intensely that even resentment can’t mask the lingering devotion. By the final chorus, you feel his tug-of-war—still really loving her, hating himself for it, yet knowing that’s exactly what makes him human.

12. Letting Go
DAY6
할 말 있어
보자 하곤
아무 말 없이
마주 앉아
I have something to tell you
You said "let's meet," but
Without a word
Sitting across from each other

🎸 DAY6 – “Letting Go”

DAY6 turns a break-up into an explosive rock anthem packed with raw honesty. “Letting Go” follows a narrator who sits across from someone he still loves, wrestling with the painful truth that he can no longer make them happy. Even though memories of carefree laughter flood his mind, he decides the kindest thing he can do is release them: “Noha, noha, noha” – “Let go, let go, let go.”

This is not a selfish goodbye. It is a selfless act of love. By pushing away the person he once clung to, the narrator hopes they will someday smile again with someone new. The song captures that bittersweet mix of gratitude for the past and courage to face an uncertain future, all over pounding drums and soaring guitars that echo the emotional storm within. Press play, feel the ache, and learn how powerful it can be to say goodbye for someone else’s happiness.

13. Shoot Me
DAY6
쉬운 일이 절대 아냐
네 앞에 서는 건
스릴러 한편이야
잘 나가다가도
It's absolutely not an easy thing
To stand in front of you
It's like a thriller movie
Even when things go smoothly

"Shoot Me" turns a breakup into a dramatic standoff. DAY6 compare cruel words to bullets, painting a scene where the two lovers face each other like duelists. One partner pulls the verbal trigger again and again, while the other—the singer—stands his ground, daring, “Go ahead, bang bang, just shoot me.” Rather than dodging the attack, he exposes his chest, showing how every sharp syllable lands straight in his heart.

Beneath the bold challenge lies raw vulnerability. The chorus’s repeated request to be “shot” shows how toxic familiarity can make pain feel almost normal: if hurting each other is all that’s left, let’s get it over with. The song mixes defiance, exhaustion, and sorrow, illustrating that sometimes love’s final phase is a reluctant surrender to emotional crossfire. It’s a powerful reminder that words can wound like bullets—yet choosing to stay and take the hit can hurt even more.

14. I'm Serious
DAY6
도대체 난 매일 밤
천장만 바라보다가
아이 아이야 너 땜에
애만 태우는지
Honestly, every single night, I
Just stare at the ceiling
Ay, ayeeya, cause of you
I'm only worrying myself

"I'm Serious" is DAY6's upbeat pop-rock confession booth. The singer has reached that hilariously desperate stage where every look, every sigh and even the blush on his cheeks spell I like you, yet the crush stays blissfully clueless. He stares at the ceiling at night, rehearses what to say, and keeps asking, "Why don't you feel it?" The frustration grows, but so does the sincerity: he is not playing around, his heart keeps getting louder, and the words I can't stop loving you burst out like a chorus he cannot mute.

Underneath the energetic guitars lies a relatable tug-of-war between courage and hesitation. The lyrics paint a picture of someone teetering between giving up and doubling down, caught in that exciting yet nerve-racking limbo of unspoken love. Whether you have ever practiced love confessions in the mirror or tried to read mixed signals, DAY6 wraps those feelings in a catchy melody that makes you nod, smile and remember that moment when you, too, were “serious.”

15. All Alone
DAY6
난 외롭지 않아
밤하늘에 대고 힘없이 말해
오늘은 괜찮아
라고 내게 되물어주는 듯해
I'm not lonely
I speak weakly toward the night sky
Today, I'm fine
it feels like it's asking me back

Ever spent a night telling yourself you’re fine while secretly wishing someone would say it for you? That is exactly where DAY6’s "All Alone" meets listeners. Over gentle pop-rock melodies, the singer talks to the night sky, congratulates himself for making it through the day, and repeats honjaya ("alone") like a sigh. The lyrics paint a relatable picture of dressing loneliness in brave words — claiming, "I’m not lonely," even as the cold air becomes his only companion.

Yet the song is not just a midnight lament. Inside the quiet yearning there is a spark of hope: the belief that someone, somewhere might be staring at the same moonlit sky, ready to offer the comfort he craves. "All Alone" turns solitude into a shared experience, reminding us that behind every closed bedroom door there may be another heart beating to the same rhythm, waiting to say, "You did well today."

16. I Smile
DAY6
오랜만이야
먼저 연락이 올 줄은 몰랐어
시간 나면 우리 잠깐 얼굴이라도 보자는
말을 내가 어떻게 거절해
It's been a while
I didn't think you'd call first
Saying, if you have time, let's at least meet for a moment
How could I refuse those words

DAY6’s “I Smile” captures that thrilling and nerve-wracking moment when you bump into an old love and try to look perfectly fine. The lyrics paint a picture of surprise: an unexpected call, plans to meet “just for a moment,” and the singer’s heart juggling excitement with fear. He still aches for the other person, but he worries that showing it will make him look weak. So he rehearses his best performance—acting like life is great, flashing a bright grin, and promising himself that he will definitely smile, even if it feels forced.

Beneath that cheerful mask lies bittersweet honesty. “I Smile” reminds us that sometimes a smile is both a shield and a silent confession. It is a song about maturity, pride, and quiet vulnerability—choosing to meet hurt with kindness, choosing hope over bitterness, and proving that courage can start with something as simple as curving your lips upward. Listen closely, and you will feel the subtle tug of longing wrapped in an upbeat melody, encouraging you to keep moving forward while carrying precious memories with grace.