15 Of The Latest Inspirational, Aesthetic K-pop Lyrics You Need
Many K-pop songs have great inspirational messages and quotes that are aesthetic. You probably know classic ones like BTS' Run but this list is an updated version with the latest lyrics that people love. These quotes are ones that you need but might not know you need since some are quite underrated. Indeed, they'll help you feel happy and good through life.
However, only English lyrics from K-pop songs are included so that when you hear the song, you can hear it and understand it. There are lots of great Korean lyrics translated into beautiful meanings but if I include them, you might not recognise them when you hear them in the song. So it's less confusing than the quotes you see of translated lyrics and you won't find these elsewhere - they're even different to the classic ones you see all the time.
Uniquely, these are so aesthetic that you can use them for decoration such as on your desk for motivation every time you're working. This can include writing it in fancy writing on a pop-up card or sticking it on paper on the wall or a board.
Alternatively, you can write it on a birthday card for your loved ones. I always like to write beautiful quotes from songs or movies on birthday cards for my friends or family as it's inspirational, poetic and something that they love.
Of course, the diverse range of K-pop songs proves to have many inspirational and aesthetic lyrics that fans love. I've selected some of my personal favourites. So, here are popular, inspirational K-pop quotes to cheer you up and satisfy your needs.
15 Best inspirational, aesthetic K-pop lyrics that are the latest hits:
1. "Freezing cold but I know we'll burn forever" - Thunderous by Stray Kids
One of the most popular songs right now is Stray Kids' Thunderous, which is from their 2nd album NOEASY. Released on 23 August 2021, Thunderous was highly anticipated and it was the comeback I was looking forward to the most this month.
Clearly, it succeeded as it has over 37 million views in the first 5 days. Of course, this is expected since Stray Kids is very well known and loved around the world. They're from JYP Entertainment, one of the biggest entertainment companies and part of the 'Big three'.
Thunderous shows unique, inspirational lyrics expressing that they're not sorry for being who they are and saying what they have to say. This part particularly strikes as memorable since it's at the start of the choruses. It's a great, inspirational message saying that they'll always be strong together even when it's tough. Moreover, I like the simplicity, visual image contrast between cold and hot and the popular metaphor of a flame burning strong like your soul.
Even the last line, "Keep on talking, we don't play by the rules", finishes it off nice and intensely.
2. "We going up there's no decline, so if you're aiming anywhere, aim high" - One (Monster & Infinity) by SuperM
Formed by SM Entertainment and USA's Capitol Records, SuperM is a supergroup that debuted on 4 October 2019 made from idols already debuted in other SM groups.
One (Monster & Infinity) is nearly all English and is the title track to the 1st studio album Super One released on 25 September 2020. Interestingly, I discovered that this song was a hybrid mix of their songs Monster and Infinity. It was another successful song that topped the daily Line Music Song Chart and has over 31 million views.
The song is a powerful beat that gets you dancing with a message of self-confidence, especially the above quote that is in the choruses. It's my favourite song by them and line as it's not only inspirational but also gives a strong, memorable melody to the common theme of aiming high.
3. "And living is wise, if you never ever think twice" - PTT (Paint the Town) by Loona
One of the hottest girl groups globally is Loona, who debuted on 19 August 2018 under Blockberry Creative. Their recent comeback was the title track PTT (Paint the Town) on 28 June 2021 which has over 40 million views and is from their 4th mini-album called &. With great visuals in the video, the song matches powerful choreography, vocals and attitude.
It's my favourite song by them as it's upbeat and shows an inspirational tone of self-confidence. Specifically, this quote says that you should live life to the fullest without thinking twice - just go for it since you live once. But I also love the chorus: "No way you can make us stop, we're about to paint the town". It's strong and has great imagery of painting the town.
4. "Fought off the wolves in sheep clothing, stood up for what I believed. Turn my mess into messages, learn from the lessons" - New Heroes by Ten
This sweet English song is a solo by Ten, an idol in the boy groups NCT (and its subgroups NCT U and WayV) and SuperM. He's known as one of the best dancers in the groups and indeed, he's one of my favourite dancers who also has a beautiful voice. New Heroes was released on 6 April 2018 and I think it's one of the most inspirational songs with deep meaning as fans agree.
It talks about working hard through many pains and struggles (especially those that idols face) and to keep going on to reach the day when "We're the new heroes". If you want something not as musically heavy, I highly recommend listening to the whole song as it has amazing lyrics and is great to sing along to. Moreover, you should watch the dance practice as I think he's one of the best dancers in this generation.
5. "Got no time for haters, to all the bad guys and the players (I'm like) la di da la di da da, la di da di da" - LA DI DA by Everglow
Everglow is a popular girl group under Yuehua Entertainment that debuted on 18 March 2019 and they have fans all around the world. Their 2nd mini-album -77.82X-78.29 was released on 21 September 2020 with the successful title track LA DI DA, which has over 100 million views.
Their songs are all memorable and strong just like their talent. LA DI DA is no exception as it tells a powerful message to ignore the haters. I think it's one of the best songs that conveys this common theme and it's an inspirational anthem as many people love it. The whole song is amazing and consistently energises you with the strength that makes you feel confident.
So, you should check out the whole song as it'll be stuck in your head.
6. "They tell me 'sky's the limit' but I'm up by satellites" - Celebrate by Cravity
On 19 August 2021, Cravity made a comeback with their 1st album Part. 1 - The Awakening: Written in the Stars, which had the title track Gas Pedal. While I loved the title track, I also enjoyed the b-sides, especially Celebrate. This song expresses a positive message about always being happy, smiling and forgetting about your worries while ignoring the haters.
The particular quote I like is the inspirational lyric in the bridge by Allen because it reminds me of common quotes about reaching for the sky or stars but it's different and new. Furthermore, it's really catchy and attention-grabbing at that part of the song. It's been randomly popping in my head every day for the past week and always makes me smile when it does.
While Cravity is more underrated, they're a talented rookie group under Starship Entertainment. So if you like Monsta X, you might like Cravity since they're the younger brother group of Monsta X and both groups have amazing rappers, vocalists and dancers.
7. "Shine, dream, smile, oh let us light up the night" - Mikrokosmos by BTS
Significantly, BTS are known around the world for their positive lyrics and messages of self-love and they're probably the most known K-pop group globally. It's hard choosing one inspirational quote from them when they have so many but this was my favourite from one of their more recent songs that I think is beautiful and poetic.
Mikrokosmos is from their 6th mini-album Map of the Soul: Persona released on 12 April 2019 with the title track Boy With Luv feat. Halsey. It tells the listener that they're there for you, everyone's special and you can find the light in the dark. This song is one I listened to whenever I felt sad or lonely. Clearly, with optimistic images and simplicity, many others also agree it's aesthetic.
8. "See me making waves and you don't like that. Driving through your puddles goin' splish splash" - Love to Hate Me by Blackpink
Love to Hate Me is an English b-side track from Blackpink's 1st full album called The Album, which was released on 2 October 2020 with the title track Lovesick Girls. Like their fierce, cool songs, Love to Hate Me is savage yet inspirational as it describes them ignoring their haters. Clearly, it's a great tune that makes us feel powerful, especially the chorus, "You ain't worth my love if you only love to hate me".
My favourite line quoted above is in the opening and already shows a nice, sassy attitude and metaphor. I think it's cool and unique how they compare themselves to a strong wave and the hater as a small puddle. Then, the humour is further shown with the image of them driving over the puddles, a.k.a the haters.
If you want a song that'll make you feel great and sassy, you should check out this one as it's also easy to sing along to in English. Indeed, it'll motivate you to not listen to those who put you down.
9. "'Cause in life sometimes we need a helping hand, you'll be alright. Just take it slow, one day at a time" - One Day At A Time by Ateez
A boy group that is known for powerful performances and has a lot of international popularity is Ateez, who is under KQ Entertainment. In their 5th mini album ZERO: FEVER Part. 1 released on 29 July 2020 with the title track Inception, it had the English song, One Day At A Time.
This song is a healing, motivational song telling you that everything will be alright and they're there for you so take it easy one day at a time. Notably, this song is perfect for people who love calm, slower songs or need something like a ballad to make them feel happy when they're sad so I highly recommend it. It's also easy and sweet to sing along to.
10. "Get better day by day, get better day by day" - Wind Flower by MAMAMOO
MAMAMOO, a girl group under RBW Entertainment known for their strong vocals, released the title track Wind Flower on 29 November 2018 in their 8th mini album BLUE;S. It's a meaningful breakup song with beautiful aesthetics even in the music video. Furthermore, a fan comments that it's "such a big mood".
Just as fans love this specific lyric, so do I as it's encouraging by saying that things will be fine. I think that the use of repetition also makes it more impactful in a mantra kind of way that you can repeat and reassure yourself. So you can listen to it when you want a motivating song about love, or just in general.
11. "We will make a culture and we will be happy" - No Matter What by Golden Child (Jangjun & TAG feat. Joochan)
A more underrated group is Golden Child, who debuted on 28 August 2017 under Woollim Entertainment. No Matter What is a unit song by the rappers Jangjun and TAG featuring the main vocalist Joochan, and it was released on 18 November 2019 in their 1st full album Reboot with the title track Wannabe. Therefore, it's a rap song saying that they won't give up no matter what and they'll keep working hard.
Being a powerful, inspirational song that gets you dancing, it's one of my favourite songs by them. Several comments in the lyrics video mention the line "We will make a culture" and a fan even said, "that's the line right here yo". Clearly, it's an iconic motto for fans. Although they may take it as fans following the boy group, I think it can broadly mean making your own life as you want with your loved ones.
All the lyrics are meaningful and motivational as fans comment that the song relates to them. So I think you should listen to this if you want a cool rap and dance song to make you feel inspired to not give up and it's different to other genres.
12. "I'll rise up like a giant, hold my head a little higher, so don't you doubt me when I'm fighting my lonely nights" - Giant by Yuqi (from (G)I-DLE)
One of the most popular girl groups around the world is (G)I-DLE, who debuted under Cube Entertainment on 2 May 2018. The Chinese member with a unique and deep voice, Yuqi, released a solo English song called Giant on 13 May 2021 and it's one of my favourite songs. Significantly, it's deep and meaningful since she wrote it herself.
The song talks about not letting people bring you down and overcoming difficulties by believing in yourself. All the lyrics are beautifully written and really touch your emotions - "I can be hurt but I'm not afraid". Moreover, it's a great reminder to always tell yourself to stand tall and strong.
I find it sometimes relatable so it's great to sing along to when you need something powerful to belt out. You'll feel much better with this inspirational song and it's all in English.
13. "West side, east side, it don't matter anymore" - PUMA by TXT
Formed by HYBE Labels (previously called Big Hit Entertainment), TXT (Tomorrow X Together) debuted on 4 March 2019. They're popular all around the world, just like their older brother group, BTS. Furthermore, a song that fans agree is meaningful is PUMA, which is about freedom. It was released on 4 June 2020 in their 2nd mini-album The Dream Chapter: Eternity with the title track Can't You See Me?
This song is inspirational and the music video is just as captivating. Notably, the line above shows that although you might not know where to go, you can go any way and to keep going now - "Tonight we ride". If you want an upbeat, unique song that is subtly deep with cool visuals, I strongly recommend it.
14. "Tired of being broken in the cold, trying to find a way to let it go, know I'll find a way to let it go" - Broken Me by BM
One of the most successful co-ed K-pop groups is Kard, which debuted on 19 July 2017 under DSP Media. BM is the main dancer, lead rapper and sub vocalist and one out of the two males. So, this English song released on 10 June 2021 is one of his solo songs that really hits hard and deep with painful meanings and I relate to it sometimes. Broken Me describes the feelings of being broken and alone.
Though it's a sad song that doesn't sound motivating, I think the end could really help encourage people to see that they don't want to be broken anymore. The way I like to interpret it is that you have to admit you're broken (like it says in the chorus) to want to make a change to be happy. I also like to think of that quote as letting go of the pain and believing in yourself that you can do that.
In conclusion, you should listen to this song when you're feeling sad or alone because it really helps to just shout it out and belt the lyrics as it's in English and relatable.
15. "We're going way up, we're going (yeah yeah yeah), on our way up, hello future" - Hello Future by NCT DREAM
An optimistic and positive song is Hello Future by NCT DREAM, which was released on 28 June 2021 as the title track of their 1st album repackaged, called Hello Future. It's a bright song that'll definitely cheer you up when you need it as it expresses that you should aim for your dreams even if there are hard times.
Additionally, I think the colourful visuals add to the creative lyrics of greeting the future by making us forget the tough struggles of life. But what I love most is the music as it builds at the end with one of my favourite lines, "Just keep looking to the stars", as it really gets your head bopping along and focusing on the future.