In the 2010s, K-pop gained global recognition, serving as a key promoter of Hangul and promoting global interest in Korean culture and the Korean Wave (Hallyu). This has led to the “K value chain,” in which cultural content has reshaped industries, solidifying K-pop’s role as a cultural ambassador.
In the 1920s, K-pop aimed to expand its reach, moving from a niche genre for devoted fans to one appealing to a global mainstream audience. To achieve this, he adopted foreign producers and incorporated melodies and lyrics tailored to international tastes, gradually setting aside Hangul. This change has sparked debates between those who are concerned about K-pop losing its identity and others who see it as a natural evolution of musical expression.
Girl groups: 70% of lyrics in English
An analysis of the top 10 songs on the monthly Melon chart in 2024 found that girl groups’ song lyrics were on average 70.6% in English. The song with the highest percentage of English lyrics, “How Sweet” by NewJeans, was 84.48% English. Similarly, aespa songs “Drama,” “Supernova,” and “Armageddon” had an English average of 68.95%.
Other songs with high English lyrical proportions include KISS OF LIFE’s “Sticky” (77.16%), ILLIT’s “Magnetic” (80.47%), LE SSERAFIM’s “EASY” (72.73%), and “SHEESH” of BABYMONSTER (75.73%). These songs, designed for a global audience, were dominated by English.
Internationally popular songs such as NewJeans’ “How Sweet” are featured on numerous best-of lists, including those by NME and Rolling Stone, reflecting strategic decisions by entertainment companies to increase the use of English lyrics. Tracks like NewJeans’ “Supernatural” and LE SSERAFIM’s “Perfect Night” only had 20% Korean lyrics, demonstrating a deliberate focus on the overseas market.
In contrast, songs like (G)I-DLE’s “Fate” and IVE’s “HEYA” were rare exceptions, with a high percentage of Korean lyrics at 80.84%. Finding girl group songs with more than 50% Korean lyrics has become increasingly difficult.
Youth groups: Maintain the use of Korean lyrics
Boy groups tend to maintain a higher proportion of Korean lyrics, as their performance-focused music often appeals to dedicated fandoms rather than a broad audience. For example, TWS’s “Plot Twist” had 79.86% Korean lyrics and gained international recognition, ranking fifth on Billboard’s Best K-pop chart and the Billboard Global 200 chart for two months.
DAY6, known for recognizable lyrics, consistently used high proportions of Korean in their songs. Tracks such as “You Were Beautiful” and “Melting Down” contained 96.72% and 94.19% Korean lyrics, respectively, highlighting their role as advocates for the language.
Groups like Stray Kids have strategically balanced Korean and English lyrics, tailoring each track to specific markets. Their album “ROCK-STAR” contained an average of 51.84% Korean lyrics, with the title tracks using up to 67.5% Korean to emphasize their cultural identity.
BTS’ Jungkook experimented with entirely English lyrics in “Golden,” which ranked No. 80 on Billboard’s year-end chart. This strategic move is in line with BTS’ global position and aims to broaden their mainstream appeal, as seen in previous examples such as the all-English hit “Dynamite”.
Some songs with high English lyric content have attracted attention domestically but not abroad, such as G-Dragon’s “POWER” (78.1% English) and “SPOT!” of Zico. (70.6% English), none of which made Billboard’s year-end chart.
Is K-pop still K-pop without Hangul?
Analysis shows that Korean lyrics in girl groups’ biggest hits often account for less than 30%, raising concerns about Hangul’s role in K-pop identity. Critics warn that this trend dilutes the essence of K-pop, while others argue that it transcends language, defined by the fusion of genres, addictive melodies, intricate choreography and vibrant visuals.
As global markets take priority, K-pop’s distinctiveness seems to be fading. Hangul’s unique phonetic structure has historically shaped the identity of K-pop, with songs like those by BTS DNA proving its global appeal despite minimal English lyrics. However, the industry risks splitting into “American K-pop” and “Korean K-pop.”
Hangul remains a key cultural resource, setting K-pop apart from its competition. The industry needs to reconsider whether reducing Hangul’s presence is in line with K-pop’s long-term identity and success.
