K-Music Collaborations Part Two: Going International
Design by Makiya Jenkins
Last month, part one of our K-Music Collaborations looked at songs from artists across different K-Music genres - from K-Pop and K-Hip Hop, to K-Hip Hop and K-Rock - and more recently, you might have read our deep dive into Korean x Latinx crossovers that featured the likes of Super Junior feat. Leslie Grace and j-hope feat. Becky G. This time, we will be traveling further around the world with an even more extensive look at some global collaborations that have occurred between K-artists and musicians worldwide - from the UK to Indonesia to Denmark, and beyond. So, hop on our musical plane and discover new songs to add to your playlists.
UK and Europe
England:
“Don’t Look Back” - PREP feat. Shownu & So!YoON!
In 2018, four-piece British band PREP teamed up with K-Pop idol Shownu (leader of Monsta X) and singer-songwriter So!YoON! (soloist and member of the K-Indie-Rock band Se So Neon) for their mellow, jazz-fused R&B single, "Don't Look Back." Written and produced by PREP, “Don’t Look Back” combines the soothing vocals of Tom Havelock (PREP’s vocalist) with a smooth all-English verse from Shownu—So!YoON! provides backing vocals and an impressively smooth guitar background.
“SUGAR DIVE” - Wesley Joseph feat. DEAN
British singer Wesley Joseph deserves some praise for his single “SUGAR DIVE” as this single (released in February 2023) marked the return of K-R&B soloist DEAN, after nearly a two-year hiatus. DEAN lends his soulful vocals to the track to complement Joseph’s British charm. “SUGAR DIVE” perfectly displays a mix of musical styles, utilizing Wesley Joseph and DEAN’s different musical approaches with an integration of old-school R&B and futuristic Pop, and a backing of UK Garage alongside them.
Denmark:
“Fool For Loving” - DMEANOR feat. Kwamie Liv
Korean R&B artist DMEANOR may be more known for his K-Drama OSTs such as Are You Human? (2018), Voice 2 (2018), and Mystic Pop-up Bar (2020). However, his collaboration “Fool For Loving” with Danish-Zambian singer-songwriter Kwamie Liv is a must-listen-to for any K-R&B enthusiast. In this slow, sensual R&B track, DMEANOR and Kwamie Liv effortlessly depict the true tension and raw heartache of the song’s story through their impressive vocal deliveries.
Norway:
“Darling” - SURAN & Peder Elias
South Korean singer-songwriter SURAN collaborated with rising Norwegian artist Peder Elias for their 2022 single “Darling.” Led by an acoustic guitar melody, alongside SURAN and Peder Elias’ enchanting vocals, “Darling” plays as a sweet summer pop tune with loved-up lyrics perfect for any romantic setting.
“Wish I Was Right For You” - jens feat. YOUHA
“Wish I Was Right For You” is the hauntingly beautiful ballad from Norwegian singer jens and South Korean soloist YOUHA. From the get-go, “Wish I Was Right For You” feels emotional and heartfelt, with lyrics singing about a relationship drifting apart. These emotions are driven further by the soft, moving vocal connection between jens and YOUHA.
Sweden:
“A Brand New Day” - BTS & Zara Larsson
In 2019, Korean megastars BTS released the original soundtrack album BTS World for their mobile game featuring three collaboration tracks with international artists. One of these collaborations saw members V and j-hope team up with Swedish Popstar Zara Larsson on the song “A Brand New Day.” This song intertwines traditional Asian instrument sounds with a fresh Pop approach that is fun, upbeat, and perfect for both the K-Pop and Western-Pop markets. Of course, like any BTS or Zara Larson track, the vocals are immaculate!
North America
USA:
“SCAR (Prod. BOYCOLD)” - 24kGoldn & sokodomo
Korean rapper sokodomo joined American rapper 24kGoldn on the latter’s 2022 single “SCAR.” A bilingual track composed of English and Korean lyrics, “SCAR” fuses a Punk-Rock influenced vibe with Hip-Hop beats. Both sokodomo and 24kGoldn effortlessly rap over the genre-blending instrumentation.
“Remember” - KATIE feat. Ty Dolla $ign
Korean-born, New Jersey-raised singer KATIE brought American Hip-Hop and R&B artist Ty Dolla $ign onto a remix version of her 2018 debut single “Remember” in 2019. A sensually-soulful R&B track, mixed with EDM and fractions of alternative R&B, “Remember” displays simplicity and calmness as KATIE and Ty Dolla $ign reminisce about the intimacy of a relationship they are no longer in.
East Asia
China:
“Starry Night (With RYEOWOOK) ” - ZHOUMI feat. RYEOWOOK
In 2020, Chinese musician and actor ZHOUMI released his single “Starry Night,” featuring the vocals of Super Junior member and ZHOUMI’s Super Junior-M bandmate, RYEOWOOK. The harmonious vocal blend of ZHOUMI and RYEOWOOK against the angelic guitar-led instrumental offers warmth and tranquility like a romantic serenade or lullaby.
With ZHOUMI being Chinese and RYEOWOOK Korean, the artists released two versions of “Starry Night,” sung in their respective languages, both equally as sweet as the other.
Japan:
“Sleeping Beauty” - End of the World & Epik High
“Sleeping Beauty” is a blissfully sweet collaboration from two big names within Asian music: genre-blending J-Pop-Rock band End of the World and iconic K-Hip-Hop trio Epik High. Performed entirely in English by members Fukase and Tablo, “Sleeping Beauty” embraces a soft, romantic composition led by a melodic guitar arrangement that, along with the combination of Fukase and Tablo’s vocals, makes “Sleeping Beauty” a dreamy and easy listen.
“Don’t go” - CHANMINA feat. ASH ISLAND
South Korean-Japanese rapper CHANMINA collaborated with K-Hip-Hop rapper ASH ISLAND for “Don’t go” in 2022. Although a collaboration between two Hip-Hop artists, “Don’t go” integrates a Punk-Rock concept into the song’s Hip-Hop vibe, switching between the two genres through the instrumentals and CHANMINA’s vocals. The two artists offer a nice vocal contrast as CHANMINA sings with a more accentuated, gritty voice to ASH ISLAND’s softer and more breathier approach.
Southeast Asia
Thailand:
“Mirror Mirror” - F.HERO, MILLI feat. Changbin
In late 2021, Stray Kids member and rapper Changbin was featured on “Mirror Mirror” with Thai Hip-Hop artists MILLI and F.HERO, bringing together a strong Thailand meets Korea crossover. Each artist boasts strong Hip-Hop skills with their respective rap flows and visual presence in the music video. However, it is MILLI’s bilingual ability to rap in English, Thai, and Korean that has a strong impact on the song.
“FOREVER LOVE” - Mew Suppasit feat. BUMKEY
Multi-talented Thai artist Mew Suppasit collaborated with K-R&B singer BUMKEY on his track “FOREVER LOVE” in 2022. Released in July, “FOREVER LOVE” exhibits summer vibes with an airy Pop-R&B style perfect for any outside setting in the sunshine. Suppasit’s vocals are soft and comforting while BUMKEY showcases his ability to deliver separate standout rap and vocal sections.
Indonesia:
“These Nights” - Rich Brian & CHUNG HA
K-Pop soloist CHUNG HA lent her stunning vocals to 88rising’s album Head In The Clouds II as part of a collaboration with Indonesian rapper Rich Brian in 2019. “These Nights” plays as an alternative R&B concept with heavy retro, the ‘80s influences in the drum beats and synths—the song carries a lot of groove while simultaneously relaxing.
"Someday" - Raisa feat. Sam Kim
“Someday” is a beautifully slow R&B track between Indonesian singer-songwriter Raisa and Korean-American artist Sam Kim. The combination of Raisa and Sam’s vocals in “Someday” exude a deep soulful connection with them both being extremely talented R&B singers. With the contribution of Korean musician Jukjae, the instrumentation of “Someday” sets up a romantic and melancholic atmosphere with all-English lyrics that will resonate with many loved-up listeners.
Malaysia:
“So Right” - SHAUN feat. Yuna
Korean all-rounder SHAUN knows how to create the perfect summer track. His 2022 collaboration “So Right” with Malaysian singer Yuna is no exception to that! SHAUN and Yuna explore love at first sight in this feel-good EDM release, with a pleasing vocal balance between Yuna’s strong, low-tone, husky voice and SHAUN’s soft and high vocal delivery.
Philippines:
“Leaves” - Ben&Ben feat. Young K
In 2017, Young K (bassist and vocalist of K-Rock Band DAY6) joined Filipino Folk-Pop band Ben&Ben on a reworking of the nine-piece band’s single “Leaves.” A stunningly peaceful ballad track, “Leaves” reminisces the sounds of early 20Day600s Folk-Rock music with a heartwarming message of love, forgiveness, hope, and hardships. The soothing tones of the group’s harmonies, Paolo Benjamin (Ben&Ben’s vocalist), and Young K’s vocals, along with all of the instruments involved, are truly calming and pleasing to the ear.
Middle East
Saudi Arabia:
“Is It On” - AleXa & Bader AlShuaibi
Bringing Korean, English, and Arabic together, K-Pop soloist AleXa joined Saudi Pop singer Bader AlShuaibi on the track “Is It On” as part of Spotify's RADAR program in 2021. The song became the first-ever collaboration between a RADAR Korea and a RADAR MENA artist, uniting two cultures through music. “Is It On” embraces a Reggaeton beat fused with a distinctive K-Pop vibe that will have its listeners instantly dancing along from the first listen.
With so many amazing collaborations within the K-Music world, it would be impossible to name every single one. So, if you have a favorite international K-Music collaboration that wasn’t included in this list, please recommend them for us to check out in the comments below or by messaging HALSUG on Instagram!