If you’ve been active in the Korean pop (K-pop) stan community this year, you may have seen clips of the show KPopped on your timeline a few times.
The Apple TV original series, hosted by Psy and Megan Thee Stallion, brings iconic K-pop idols and legendary Western pop stars together on one stage.
As teams, they perform “K-pop style” remixes of chart-topping hits that have defined generations. The star-studded team-ups on KPopped include:
- ATEEZ and Kylie Minogue,
- Kep1er and Vanilla Ice,
- ITZY and the Spice Girls, and
- STAYC and TLC, to name a few.
The show’s resounding success is a tell-tale sign of how the K-pop industry has solidified its global status. Collaborations between idols and Western artists used to be a far-fetched concept, but now they’re everywhere, constantly making headlines around the world.
Photo: MAX, 24kGoldn/Instagram
Many of these record-breaking and chart-topping international crossovers still pop up in our minds and timelines today. ARMYs probably still remember when BTS and Halsey collaborated on “Boy With Luv,” while BLINKs haven’t forgotten the day BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez released “Ice Cream.” And who can ignore the major Last Song Syndrome (LSS) that Bruno Mars and BLACKPINK’s Rosé gave us with “APT?”
In recent years, K-pop has opened more doors for similar intercontinental collaborations. Each one has explored genres and cultural influences outside the pop music scene. If you enjoyed KPopped, these original songs and remixes by K-pop idols and Western artists are also worth a listen:
“Physical” – Dua Lipa, Hwasa
In 2019, MAMAMOO member and prominent solo artist Hwasa introduced Dua Lipa at the MNET Asian Music Awards (MAMA). A year later, they reunited for a remix of “Physical,” one of the lead singles on Dua’s Grammy Award-winning album, Future Nostalgia. We’re blessed enough to exist at the same time as this stellar collaboration, which screams pop excellence on all levels.
“Close to Me” – Ellie Goulding, Diplo, Red Velvet
You can’t talk about hidden gems in K-pop without mentioning this sensational pop and EDM fusion. It’s not easy to sing Korean verses that still rhyme and flow smoothly with English lyrics, but Red Velvet and Ellie Goulding pulled it off wonderfully. To this day, we still don’t know why this song never got a music video, live performance, or any proper promotions.
“Talkin’ About It” – Jihyo of TWICE, 24kGoldn
This upbeat collaboration is a feel-good balance of fun, flirty, and carefree. Jihyo’s and 24kGoldn’s soulful vocals make “Talkin’ About It” a solid B-side track that fits the powerful vibe of Jihyo’s debut album to a tee.
“Don’t Need Your Love” – NCT Dream, HRVY
NCT Dream served campus crush realness with English singer-songwriter HRVY in this special single. In a bright and youthful music video, the boys share their musings about heartbreak, as well as the bittersweet act of moving on and cutting ties with someone you tried to love, but couldn’t see eye to eye.
“Break My Heart Myself” – Bebe Rexha, ITZY
In 2022, ITZY members Yeji and Ryujin danced to Bebe Rexha’s single, “Break My Heart Myself,” for a special performance that now has over 70 million views. Bebe was so impressed, she included the two in a remix of the song. Yeji, Ryujin, and Bebe performed this new rendition of “Break My Heart Myself” that same year at KCON in Los Angeles, California.
“Stupid In Love” – MAX, Huh Yunjin of LE SSERAFIM
American singer-songwriter Max Schneider, better known as MAX, traveled all the way to South Korea to meet LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin and make this feel-good collaboration possible. In 2024, “Stupid In Love” became the theme song for couples worldwide who hard-launched each other online, celebrated their anniversaries, and got engaged. When MAX visited the Philippines that same year, he performed the song with Alexa Ilacad on ASAP Natin ‘To, and they hit all the right notes.
“I Can’t Stop Me” – TWICE, Boys Like Girls
No, your eyes don’t deceive you. In 2023, TWICE collaborated with Boys Like Girls, the same nostalgic pop punk band that turned us all emo in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Needless to say, the two groups rocked our world. This reimagined version of TWICE’s hit song, “I Can’t Stop Me,” is part of the girl group’s special seven-track remixes album. The album features TWICE’s other well-loved singles, such as “Alcohol-free” and “Moonlight Sunrise.”
ALSO READ: 6 K-pop Variety Shows and Talk Shows to Watch In Your Free Time
What are your favorite collaborations between K-pop idols and Western artists? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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