With the long rainy season behind us and the air finally beginning to slowly cool, the artists at Weverse are listening to some of their favorite city pop songs. Join them and see if it helps you welcome the cool weather yourself!

“Maybe It’s Not Our Fault” (Yerin Baek)

SAKURA (LE SSERAFIM): Someone recommended this song to me when I was taking vocal lessons. It really shows off Yerin Baek’s voice and what city pop sounds like, and it’s really catchy, so I listen to it a lot. It’s my favorite song by her. Her voice goes perfect with city pop, so when I want to listen to city pop, I go right to her songs first.

“Plastic Love” (Mariya Takeuchi)

SUNOO (ENHYPEN): I’m recommending this because it feels like a classic and it’s nice and refreshing to listen to when taking a drive at night! Everybody should listen to this song and take a cool summer night off!

“Blinding Lights” (The Weeknd)

BAEKHO: Some people will probably already recognize this song once they hear the melody. I listen to this song in the car a lot and it’s a good pick-me-up song before you go out or when you’re off to see someone. It’s great for a late-night drive, too, so maybe try giving that a shot.

“Midnight Pretenders” (Tomoko Aran)

Jihoon (TREASURE): This song comes from songwriter-turned-singer Tomoko Aran’s album Fuyü-Kükan and was sampled on the Weeknd song “Out of Time.” I think it’s a good start for people who are new to city pop. I also want to recommend “I’m in Love” from the same album, which YUKIKA translated into Korean and covered.

“Grace” (ADOY)

BEOMGYU (TOMORROW X TOGETHER): City pop’s always a good choice when you’re taking a drive around or for listening to at night, so I’m always listening to it. Lots of the songs have fantastic lyrics, too. I especially love all the lyrics about wanting to be together in the song “Grace,” like, “Will you take me to the show? / To the places that we know?” I like ADOY’s music in general. They have so many good songs with amazing lyrics, so I hope all of you will give them a listen, too.

“Kakurenbo” (Yuuri)

Hayoung (fromis_9): I love the way the intro is just vocals, so I was like, What is this song? I went ahead and found it and now I listen to it all the time. The way you can hear him breathing sometimes makes it impossible not to get lost in the emotion. It’s a really emotional song from start to finish. I think it’s a good song when you’re feeling emotional, or when you’re taking a walk, or just before bed!

“Mayonaka no Door (Stay with Me)” (Miki Matsubara)

SUNGHOON (ENHYPEN): I like how classy retro city pop sounds and feels. That’s why I picked this one.

“Lady” (Yubin)

YOOHYEON (Dreamcatcher): I’m going to recommend “Lady” by Yubin! This is one of the first K-pop songs that comes to mind when I think of city pop. The music video is great too and feels really retro. Everything from the outfits to the dance moves are completely city pop.

“Strangers” (Roosevelt)

Yuki (PURPLE KISS): This is one of my favorite city pop songs. I heard this song at a place I go to and searched for it since it was so good. I want to recommend it because the vibe is so cool and fits the season perfectly. I usually listen to it in the car. Wouldn’t it be great to listen to it in a convertible with the wind blowing past you? If you do, take me with you! Let’s listen to city pop and enjoy the last warmth of summer!

“Weekend” (TAEYEON)

SAKURA (LE SSERAFIM): I like the city pop feel of this song and the chill melody. For me, this song keeps me feeling good and takes the edge off on those super hot summer days. The lyrics make me want to go out on a cool summer weekend, so I listen to it whenever I want to get into that mood.

“Chou Freeway” (Yumi Arai)

Asahi (TREASURE): This song’s from 1976, so it’s already been several decades since it was released, but it still sounds beautiful, and so do the lyrics and all the chords. Everything all comes together to make it so good that I listen to it all the time. I hope all of you listen to it and have a great day!

“Pisces” (Yerin Baek)

KAZUHA (LE SSERAFIM): I feel like Yerin Baek’s beautiful vocals can cure anything you’re feeling. I think this song’s about wanting to say something to somebody important in your life who always knows why you do the things you do and can understand you without you having to say anything at all. I think it’s nice to listen to this song just staring up at the clear blue summer sky, so I’m recommending it here.

“I Want to Be Closer to You” (Nami)

Jihoon (TREASURE): If I could only recommend one Korean city pop track, it would definitely be this one. There’s also a remix by Jeon Yonghyeon that millennials and Gen Z are probably more familiar with. You could get twice the mileage out of this song by listening to that upbeat remix during the day and the emotional original at night.

“STAY TUNE” (Suchmos)

Asahi (TREASURE): You could argue this is the best example of what city pop singers are up to these days. I chose this one because I can still remember how shocked I was by how original it sounded when I first heard it. It’ll give you a sense of the trendy urban sound of Japanese city pop.

“Out of Time” (The Weeknd)

HEESEUNG (ENHYPEN): I’m recommending this song for its easygoing sound and mellow melody. A great listen when you’re having coffee.