Remakes are a gamble no matter what; they either reach the mark or they don’t get there, primarily when the original track comes with its fans who have seen it done better. The stakes are just so high in terms of living up to the legacy of the original, and any tweaks or changes are under scrutiny. Of course, when it comes to popular Kpop remakes, however, some do strike that perfect balance where a classic becomes even more fantastic with new and captivating twists. These remake songs are not only a payback to the classics but also breathe new life into them, giving old fans something to enjoy and new listeners something to latch onto.
So, are you guys ready to dive in? Here are eight of the most popular K-pop songs, that are not only strong in their own rights but as tributes to the predecessors, each with each track full of a mix of nostalgia and innovation.
Check Out the List Of Popular Kpop Remakes
Rover by KAI
In 2023, EXO’s KAI remake Rover, which Bulgarian pop star DARA performed as “Mr. Rover” in 2022. He, being the epitome of suave stage presence, took it and made something sultry out of the catchy dance-driven number-into a sleek, vibe-laden single for his smooth vocals and great dance moves. “Rover” now is synonymous with KAI; a homogenization of the vibrant, catchy DARA core infusing chic sensuality only he can pull off.
Chicken Noodle Soup by J-Hope (feat. Becky G)
This explosive collaboration from BTS’s J-Hope and Becky G took this beloved hip-hop classic into the modern world of K-pop and has a fierce, bilingual twist. Originally by Webstar and Young B, the hook in “chicken noodle soup” was the first anthem of New York’s hip-hop underground back in 2006. J-Hope, a long-time fan of this song, adopted it with his own energetic style, adding Korean verses while Becky G held it up with her Spanish verses. Together, they mixed two cultures that are as irresistible as the original.
Next Level by aespa
The cinematographic track Next Level, originally by A$ton Wyld from the Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw soundtrack, is K-pop’s shift into introducing such tracks. But the remake by aespa turns it on a gear with strong electronic beats and futuristic voices which give it a very different feel that can only be distinctly given to them. The remake sweeps you off into this version of the multiverse of SM Entertainment, blending the aura of the original into aespa’s dangerous narrative. Very familiar and yet very new; an anthem that supports the majesty of the original but adds some fresh layering in the K-pop sense.
Fairy of Shampoo by TXT
Not your run-of-the-mill K-pop remake, TXT’s beguiling Fairy of Shampoo is nothing if not a nod to the ethereal, almost dreamlike quality that was once characteristic of 1990s ballad kings of the Light & Salt pair. In using airy vocals and layered instrumentals to restore that quality to its former glory, TOMORROW X TOGETHER pay homage to something special indeed.
Be Natural by Red Velvet
Red Velvet sultry rendition of the 2000 K-pop goddesses S.E.S. masterpiece song Be Natural. SM Entertainment did a nice tribute to pay homage to S.E.S. by transforming the soulful vibes of the original into simply the most captivating R&B number. Here’s Red Velvet’s Be Natural, a visual and musical tribute to a K-pop legacy revitalized with a sleeker beat, all jazz and hip-hop.
Coffee by BTS
Extremely sharp cut off O!RUL8,2?, BTS remake of Urban Zakapa’s Caffé Latte, Coffee is a delicate sentimental, sweetly reminiscent of that love long past as the coffee taken speaks and inspires memories of that old flame grown now so familiar. This remake captures the essence of warmth and heart as the original, weft into an individual bittersweet interpretation by BTS that truly reflects the group’s youthful appeal and reflective nature.
Hello by Joy (Red Velvet)
Even fans that stick closely to Red Velvet could not even have wished for much more from the solo cover done by Joy in 2021 when she unveiled Hello, a remake of Park Hye-kyung’s hit way back in 2003. Under Joy’s voice and her vibrant, heartfelt rendition, the good vibes that flowed from the original still relate to the world at large but now feel much more buoyant. This version keeps the carefree happiness in the rendition of Hye-kyung but this time, it features her showcasing her special bright side.
Candy by NCT Dream
No K-pop remake list is ever complete without NCT Dream’s Candy, the 2022 revival of H.O.T.’s iconic 1996 hit. A classic in K-pop history, the original song came back to life with a colorful, young energy by NCT. Capturing that H.O.T. light-heartedness, NCT Dream pours their own Gen Z sparkle into the rejuvenated hit and infuses an exciting, nostalgic flavor into the melody, breathing newfound life into K-pop history’s connectivity.
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