Nothing says summer like music that makes you want to dance, sing out loud, or just lie back and daydream under the sun. And when it comes to feel-good summer vibes, K-pop does it so well. From beachy melodies to lyrics that hit you right in the feels, there’s no better way to enjoy the season and learn some Korean along the way.
Let’s take a look at some iconic K-pop lyrics that are packed with summer vibes and must-know Korean expressions. So, let’s hit play and learn Korean the fun way, through songs you’ll love on repeat all season long!
1. SISTAR – ‘Touch My Body’
Starting off with the summer queens- SISTAR!
‘Touch My Body’ is a fun, confident track about playful romance and sizzling summer energy that makes you want to dance under the blazing sun.
Lyric: 푸른 하늘 보다 높이
Romanization: pu-reun ha-neul bo-da nop-i
Meaning: “Higher than the blue sky.”
Useful Expressions:
- 푸르다 – to be blue (often describes skies or oceans)
- 하늘 – sky
- 높이 – high / highly
Example:
오늘 하늘이 정말 푸르고 예뻐요.
(o-neul ha-neul-i jeong-mal pu-reu-go ye-ppeo-yo.)
→ The sky is really blue and beautiful today.
2. SEVENTEEN – ‘Our Dawn is Hotter Than Day’
A song about the youthful fire that burns brighter at night, perfect for long summer nights.
Lyric: 우리의 새벽은 낮보다 뜨거워, 아침이 올 때까지
Romanization: u-ri-ui sae-byeok-eun nat-bo-da tteu-geo-wo, a-chi-mi ol ttae-kka-ji
Meaning: “Our dawn is hotter than day, until the morning comes.”
Useful Expressions:
- 보다 – than (used for comparisons)
- ~까지 – until
- 뜨겁다 – to be hot (emotionally or physically, not for weather)
Example:
이 커피는 저 커피보다 더 뜨거워요.
(I keo-pi-neun jeo keo-pi-bo-da deo tteu-geo-wo-yo.)
→ This coffee is hotter than that one.
3. Red Velvet – ‘Red Flavor’
Not adding this one would probably be a crime against summer playlists. A bright and fruity track that captures the joy and curiosity of summer love.
Lyric: 내가 제일 좋아하는 건 여름 그 맛
Romanization: nae-ga je-il jo-a-ha-neun geon yeo-reum geu mat
Meaning: “What I like most is the taste of summer.”
Useful Expressions:
- 제일 좋아하는 – favorite (literally “the most liked”)
- 여름 – summer
- 맛 – taste/flavor
Example:
저는 매운 맛을 좋아해요.
(jeo-neun mae-un ma-seul jo-a-hae-yo.)
→ I like spicy flavors.
4. OH MY GIRL – ‘Dolphin’
You can’t help but smile when this song plays; it’s bubbly, fun, and totally addictive. A song that compares fluttering feelings to dolphins jumping.
Lyric: 또 물보라를 일으켜
Romanization: tto mul-bo-ra-reul i-reu-kyeo
Meaning: “Creating a splash again.”
Useful Expressions:
- 또 – again
- 물보라 – splash, water spray
- 일으키다 – to stir up / create / cause
Example:
아이들이 수영장에서 물보라를 일으켰어요.
(a-i-deul-i su-yeong-jang-e-seo mul-bo-ra-reul i-reu-kyeot-seo-yo.)
→ The kids made a splash in the swimming pool.
5. ZICO – ‘Summer Hate (feat. Rain)’
A fun, relatable song about the not-so-fun side of summer, those sweltering summer days when the heat is just too much!
Lyric: 서둘러 찾아야 돼 태양을 피할 방법
Romanization: seo-dul-leo cha-ja-ya dwae tae-yang-eul pi-hal bang-beop
Meaning: “Gotta hurry and find a way to avoid the sun.”
Useful Expressions:
- 서둘러 = quickly/in a hurry
- 태양 = sun
- 방법 = method/way
Example:
비를 피할 방법이 없어요.
(bi-reul pi-hal bang-beop-i eop-seo-yo.)
→ There’s no way to avoid the rain.
6. SHINee – ‘View’
A dreamy summer vibe with chill beats and poetic lyrics, ‘View’ feels like a refreshing escape into the season’s most beautiful moments.
Lyric: 너무 아름다운 다운 다운 다운 view
Romanization: neo-mu a-reum-da-un da-un da-un da-un view
Meaning: “Such a beautiful view.”
Useful Expressions:
- 너무 – too / very
- 아름답다 – to be beautiful
Example:
오늘 하늘이 너무 아름다워요.
(o-neul ha-neul-i neo-mu a-reum-da-wo-yo.)
→ The sky is so beautiful today.
7. TWICE – ‘Dance the Night Away’
Finally, a summer playlist is incomplete without a TWICE song. A feel-good summer anthem about letting go and enjoying the moment with friends by the sea.
Lyric: 저 바다 건너 들릴 듯 소리 질러
Romanization: jeo ba-da geon-neo deul-lil deut so-ri jil-leo
Meaning: “Shout loud like it could be heard across the ocean.”
Useful Expressions:
- 저 바다 – that sea (far away)
- 건너 – across
- 소리 질러 – shout out (yell)
Example:
친구에게 소리 질렀어요.
(chin-gu-e-ge so-ri jil-leoss-eo-yo.)
→ I yelled at my friend.
Learn Korean While You Vibe to K-pop
Who said learning has to be boring? Whether you’re vibing by the beach or chilling indoors, these summer hits are more than just catchy; they’re mini Korean lessons.
The lyrics teach you useful grammar, natural expressions, and vocabulary in a way you’ll never forget. These are just seven picks from a sea of amazing summer tracks out there. We’ve only just scratched the surface, and we’ll be back with more to keep your playlist sizzling!
So press play, sing loud, and keep learning.
여름엔 K-POP이지! (yeo-reum-en K-POP i-ji) – Summer = K-pop, right?
다음에 또 만나요! (da-eum-e tto man-na-yo!) – See you next time!
Written by- Surabhi
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