There’s nothing like a good harmony to really make a K-pop song stand out from the crowd. A lot of times harmonies are hidden in the backing vocals, but they’re what give the song some kick! These K-pop tracks in particular stand out for just how stunning their harmonies are. If you have a good ear for music and love gorgeous vocals, this is the list for you!
ITZY – “Imaginary Friend”
If you’re wondering just what it is about this song that feels so haunting, it’s those harmonies! You have to listen for them a little to pick them out of the back track, but they’re so good they send chills down your spine. They’re perfect for this song!
SEVENTEEN – “Home”
If you’re wondering how it is that this song manages to feel so laid-back yet so memorable at the same time, it’s those harmonies! As expected from SEVENTEEN, the group brings some powerful vocals that don’t feel overbearing–and some stunning harmonies.
KISS OF LIFE – “Igloo”
The B-side that’s taking the internet by storm right now, KISS OF LIFE’s “Igloo” has some hip hop and R&B vibes that don’t quit. What makes the song stand out though is the way that the harmonies are layered on as the track continues!
TXT – “Devil by the Window”
There’s no better way to make a song feel spooky than by adding some slightly dissonant harmonies that tickle your ear just right—and that’s what TXT does with “Devil by the Window”! You can hear the harmonies particularly well thanks to the delicate vocals.
Red Velvet – “Chill Kill”
This track is basically just a tour de force in Red Velvet’s vocal prowess—on top of strong belt-style singing and light falsettos, the members also show off some truly gorgeous harmonies. There’s so much dimension in this song that you could listen to it 10 times and still miss some!
ZEROBASEONE – “Feel the POP”
ZEROBASEONE has some real power vocalists, but this song manages to stay light and refreshing without being boring! It surprises you by bringing in both octave duets and harmonies to change things up. The vocals are just right!
ILLIT – “Midnight Fiction”
In a total vibe contrast from TXT, ILLIT also makes good use of harmony in their B-side “Midnight Fiction”! You could argue that the backing vocals are almost the main focus of this track, since they add so much dimension and character to this song.
NCT DREAM – “Hello Future”
NCT DREAM has a good balance of rappers and vocalists, so much so that even their rap parts sometimes have harmony! It’s proof of how well they work as a team and also how well their voices blend. The harmonies in “Hello Future” are just too good!
IVE – “Accendio”
For a little more of an electronic take on a traditional harmony, IVE mixes unaltered backing vocals with digitally edited versions—creating a set of harmonies that feels unique! It’s what makes this song so captivating even when there are no lyrics.
BTS – “Black Swan”
BTS is a master of adding harmonic tidbits to make their tracks special, and “Black Swan” is the perfect example of that. The backing vocals are what make this song sound so unique in the K-pop world, especially with the way that the dissonance collides with the classical backtrack.
What are your favorite harmonies in K-pop? Tell us below!
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