When anyone aware of the genre thinks about what K-Pop sounds like, they often conjure up a bubblegum pop track with synchronized choreography and beautiful performers to really sell it. While this is sometimes true, like Western pop music, K-Pop contains multitudes. In fact, the Korean music industry is much more than K-Pop. Sure, K-Pop pays the bills, but there is also an incredibly talented assortment of artists under what’s been dubbedK-R&B.
This genre takes all the familiar elements of traditional R&B and simply adds its own flare. Depending on the artist, they may lean more into a laid-back instrumental with a smooth vocal texture or add some energy to it to get people moving. Some artists show off their strengths by interweaving Korean with English in their lyrics, while others let their clean production and seasoned songwriting experience do the talking.If you’re a fan of R&B artists like Victoria Monét, Brent Faiyaz, or SZA, the K-R&B world has what you’re looking for.
10DEAN
Versatile Golden Voice
DEAN is one of the most popular K-R&B artists, and the one who’s made the biggest splash outside of South Korea. His debut in 2015 was marked by a slew of collaborations with artists like Eric Bellinger, Anderson Paak, and Mila J, while his return home was marked by the single “Pour Up,” another collaboration, this time with Block B’s Zico. For his first few years, DEAN remained active, releasing his debut album130 Mood: TRBL, his breakout single “instagram,” and collaborations with other industry favorites like TAEYEON and Crush.
He took an extended break after such a packed debut run, but came back in full force with the uninhibited single “DIE 4 U.” Since then, fans have eagerly awaited his next full album, making now the perfect time to dive into his music.The effortless quality of his music makes it easily approachable and possibly addictive. If you’re unsure where to begin your dive into K-R&B, DEAN offers himself and his golden voice on a silver platter.
Required listening:“I’m Not Sorry” featuring Eric Bellinger,130 Mood: TRBL, & “DIE 4 YOU.”
9BIBI
Gritty Female Powerhouse
Represented under 88rising, BIBI is no stranger to the pressures of the spotlight. She debuted her fully English track “Best Lover” at Coachella during the iconic 88rising Futures showcase in 2022, was featured on thesoundtrack for 2021’sShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and sees her boundary-pushing performances go viral regularly. It’s possible you’ve already heard her voice before. Women in the South Korean music industry are often placed within a tight box where they’re expected to follow the standards set in place.
BIBI is no stranger to the pressures of the spotlight.
Outside the K-Pop umbrella,these women find agency in speaking their minds. BIBI’s versatile vocals have the power to make you obey her every command or swoon through a bittersweet breakup track, all while sounding like she recorded her lines in one take with little effort. Her music videos commonly follow a powerful woman (usually played by BIBI herself) as she navigates a world overrun by men’s selfishness and greed. Another one of her English tracks, “The Weekend,” is a perfect starting point for fans of SZA’s song of the same title.
8Colde
Easy Listening Accompaniment
Colde, known to K-Pop fans as a staple songwriter for vocal superstar Baekhyun, isa K-R&B talent whose sound adapts to every musical landscape. His smooth vocals float over every instrumental, providing the perfect accompaniment for your busy workday or daily commute. Colde’s career started off in the duo OFFONOFF under YG Entertainment’s sub-label HIGHGRIND, where he perfected a specific style of chill R&B for K-Pop audiences. As a soloist, his music touches on everything from soothing ballads to bouncy hip-hop.
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With features on albums by BTS' RM, CHUNG HA, and B.I., there are a dozen directions you may choose to start your journey through his music. His most recent project,YIN,spawnedYIN REMIX,where he gathered a handful of notable K-R&B artists (most of whom are featured on this list) to remake what was already a perfect project, making that a great place to start not only for Colde’s music, but to learn the voices of other artists you should know.
7Heize
Sincerely Mesmerizing Beauty
Heize is often regarded as many K-Pop idols' favorite artist to play during livestreams or otherwise on camera, making her songs recognizable to fans already active in that world. Her beautifully unique tone makes every word she sings cut straight to your heart. With a career that spans over 10 years, she has perfected her sound in a way that makes every new release feel special.
Her beautifully unique tone makes every word she sings cut straight to your heart.
Heize’s heartfelt lyrics showa woman with clear songwriting talents that speak to anyone who is lucky enough to listen. She possesses a musical range that spans from typical K-R&B to more of a fusion between K-Pop and hip-hop, giving listeners something to grasp with roots in all genres. Her voice feels timeless in its vulnerability and honesty, perfect for fans of H.E.R. or Kehlani.
6GEMINI
Forward-Thinking R&B Master
With his incomparably captivating voice and perfect discography,GEMINI would be the first recommendation I’d give anyone looking to get into K-R&B. As the first artist signed to AT AREA in 2020, he’s paved a path that may just allow him to become one of the most well-respected artists within the genre. GEMINI isn’t well-known globally beyond those following Korean music, but I believe that will change. He’s gone on multiple successful world tours, and there doesn’t seem to be anywhere for him to go but up.
His most recent project,In Too Deep, is his most honest work to date, while his previous projects include tracks like “UFO” and “Rollercoaster” with their catchy choruses and lyrics that are sure to have you randomly singing throughout the day. If there was ever a K-R&B artist who deserves to reach the level of fame only K-Pop idols know, it’s GEMINI, perfect for fans of Miguel and Lucky Daye.
5JUNNY
Flawless Dopamine Boost
In my opinion, JUNNY is one of the more exciting artists to come out of K-R&B. Although his career spans almost as long as DEAN, it feels like he’s found his permanent footing with his last few releases. His 2024 albumdopamineis an addictive collection of just six songs, each with a different element that keeps you coming back to find a new favorite with every listen.
Comparable to R&B artists like Omar Apollo or Leon Thomas, JUNNY’s music is heavily sensually-focused, something he seems to have mastered overtime.He has the kind of voice that you just can’t believe is real while listening to him sail over every beat imaginable, whether it be more chilled out like “Complications” featuring SOLE, or more hyperactive like “RUSH” featuring BOBBY, his voice leaves you wanting more.
4WOODZ
Traditional Idol Turned Star Soloist
WOODZ is an interesting case of a former idol turned soloist. There are plenty of those within all genres of Korean music, buthis solo music is enough to make you wonder why he ever started the journey to become an idol. As a former member of X1, a group formed on theKorean survival showProduce X 101which were barely active for a year until they disbanded, WOODZ didn’t see much in the way of line distribution and screentime among the 11-member group.
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As a soloist, however, WOODZ shines as one of the most unique voices in the industry. His music goes beyond K-R&B, also tapping into rock and hip-hop influences regularly. WOODZ’s earlier solo releases fall more into the atmospheric hip-hop landscape, something he’s since evolved from impressively, with recent releases leaning into the rock style that suits his unbelievable vocal range. If you appreciate an artist who seems to be good at everything, now is the perfect time to try out WOODZ.
Required listening:WOOPS!, OO-LI, & “BEHIND.”
3SUMIN
Songwriter Extraordinaire
Artists in the K-R&B genre are widely known to have much more of a say in the creation of their music than most K-Pop artists, mostly because they aren’t all under the large entertainment companies that control much of the industry. SUMIN is just one example of the clear good it does an artist to have control of how they present their artistry. After watching her music video for “Closet” featuring Uhm Jung Hwa, it’s near impossible not to want to know everything about her.
It’s near impossible not to want to know everything about her.
For starters, she’s written songs for K-Pop icons, including BTS, Red Velvet, and aespa.Her songwriting talents are invaluable to the industry, with many of my own favorite songs being products of her putting her pen down to paper. As a soloist, SUMIN has released two collaborative albums with fellow K-R&B artist Slom, as well as a flawless solo album,SICHIMI. For fans of SZA’s less traditional R&B-sounding side, give SUMIN a try.
2DeVita
Attention-Grabbing Vocalist
The voice of DeVita is one that will grab your attention from the moment you press play. In her impressive list of collaborations with artists like Colde, Yugyeom of GOT7, and B.I. (on his viral track “BTBT”), she nearly threatens to outshine the original artist every time.Her voice pairs like a dream with some of K-Pop’s most notable male artists. While crafting my own K-R&B playlist over the years, I’ve failed to notice DeVita as a common denominator of several of my favorite tracks.
Her debut mini-album,CRÈME, includes five equisitely sung tracks fit for an album named after the French phrase “crème de la crème,” meaning “best of the best.” Her voice sounds far too seasoned for an artist with less than a decade of experience. Anyone who’s a fan of Kehlani or Tyla will find something to sink their teeth into within DeVita’s discography.
Required listening:“Bonnie & Clyde,“American Gothic,& “Movies.”
1MIRANI
Complex Up-And-Coming Talent
As one of the smaller artists on this list, MIRANI deserves more attention. Her most popular songs on Spotify are her collaborations with GroovyRoom, pH-1, and Mingi of ATEEZ, but her debut album,The Drift,is a project full of grit found predominately in music by male K-R&B artists. “Candy”, featuring Leellamarz and Coogie, and “WOW” push MIRANI completely into the male-dominated worlds of Korean rap and hip-hop, giving them some real competition.
Her debut album, The Drift, is a project full of grit found predominately in music by male K-R&B artists.
Just as she seamlessly fits herself into this world of fiesty hooks and male energy,she switches her vocal style to reflect the more pop-leaning tracks on her most recent project,ME TIME. This range is something found in many women within K-R&B, but is equally impressive every time. MIRANI is a force to be reckoned with. Who knows what her next project will sound like?
