Koreaboo Staff Music Picks: Favorite Holiday Songs

The holiday season is not only filled with Winter weather, family, and friends, but also with plenty of holiday songs to enjoy. In Korea, artists tend to release either full Winter-themed albums or holiday singles. Throughout the years, there have been hundreds of holiday-themed songs released in Korea by a variety of artists. 

Some popular examples of holiday-themed Korean songs and albums include EXO’s “Miracles in December” album as well as SMTOWN’s numerous Winter and Christmas-themed family albums throughout the years. Other examples include MBLAQ’s “White Forever” and INFINITE’s “Lately.”

Just this year alone, there have been many holiday releases. EXO released “December, 2014,” on December 19th and BTOB will release their new album, “The Winter’s Tale,” on December 22nd. Starship Planet released a family song titled, “Love Is You,” and Teen Top released a special track titled, “Snow Kiss.”

Because there are so many holiday and Christmas songs that have been released in Korea, the staff of Koreaboo decided to share our favorites, which include songs by IU and Thunder, Kanto featuring As One, BoA, BTOB, EXO, and more! Check out our favorite holiday song picks below, and be sure to tell us which holiday songs are your favorites as well!

Steph – Yoseob & Daniel’s “First Snow, First Kiss,” INFINITE’s “Lately,” and Kanto’s “Before The Snow” featuring As one
“Yoseob and Daniel’s ‘First Snow, First Kiss’ will forever be my favorite Winter/Holiday song. The lyrics combine with the sweet melody of the song to create a unique track. No matter how many times I listen to this song, it never loses its attraction and always brings a smile to my face. It’s the song that I listen to when I need motivation and encouragement at any point of the year. I’m thankful for this song. ”

Flowsion – BoA’s “Merry-Chri/Meri Kuri” and “Winter Love”

Ginnie & Alanna – EXO’s “Miracles In December”
Ginnie: “A unique take on the normally upbeat outlook towards Christmas and romance, this song highlights the vocal talents of the members as well. It is a really expressive track, although sad, but overall, it’s a good listen.”

Sam – IU’s “Merry Christmas in Advance” featuring Thunder

Joyce – Yoseob & Daniel’s “First Snow, First Kiss”
“I heard this song on the first Christmas that I celebrated after listening to K-Pop. Till this day the cheerful melody brings back feelings of nostalgia to me.”

Isabelle – Eric Nam’s “Melt My Heart”
“This song is all about the happiness of being in love even through the cold first snow. It’s upbeat, catchy, sweet, and just makes you want to find your own winter romance when you listen to it!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj5BePOy-CM

Alexa – DBSK and Super Junior’s “Show Me Your Love” and SHINee’s version of “Last Christmas”
“Show Me Your Love”: “Yes, I know this song was released back in 2005 but no matter how many times I listen to it, it never fails to bring a smile to my face! Re-watching this music video and seeing how young and energetic DBSK and (newly debuted) Super Junior were is quite endearing, haha (especially since they are both presented with more mature concepts nowadays).”

“Last Christmas”: “A SHINee twist on one of my favorite Christmas songs? Yes please! I liked how they were able to add their own style in this revamped 2011 cover. This is definitely one lighthearted song you want to listen to this holiday season!”

Kristine – BTS’s Jungkook & Rap Monster, 2AM’s Jo Kwon, 8eight’s Joo Hee, and Lim Jeong Hee’s “Perfect Christmas”

Stacey – DJ DOC’s “Winter Story” and Shin Seung Hoon’s “Christmas Miracle” ft. Kim Jo Han
“Winter Story”: “This is one of the oldest Korean songs I’ve grown up listening to and I still enjoy playing this every holiday season! It’s a story about winter and the sadness the [singer] is feeling about how he will never see the love of his life again after this cold winter because she is breaking up with him. Although the lyrics of the song are a bit sad, it’s bittersweet because it’s conveyed through such an upbeat song. All of DJ DOC’s voices are perfect for the holiday season so I think many Koreaboo readers will enjoy this song’s exciting beat during the holidays!”

“Christmas Miracle”: “This is such a gorgeous song! Shin Seung Hoon’s voice is so gracious and pure in this lovely Christmas track where he’s confessing to the woman of his dreams, ‘when the world is covered white on Christmas~ when the lights are bright on Christmas~.’ This 2002 song has a surprising English hook, so many international fans may enjoy it a lot. Kim Jo Han’s featuring in the background makes the song so much more beautiful as well. It’s a track that will keep you smiling with happiness–it’s one of those songs you want the man of your dreams to sing to you on Christmas day or a song you’d like to cuddle up with in your bed while drinking a hot mug of hot chocolate.”

Raquel – EXO’s “Christmas Day”
“The perfect romantic Christmas song <3.”

Eva – INFINITE’s “White Confession (Lately)” and BTOB’s “You Can Cry”
“Lately”: “A song that would make your heart flutter when you listen closely to the lyrics, and feel like you’d want to be in love and spend the Christmas festive season with someone special. Complementing the smooth lyrics is the concept of the MV, filmed in Tokyo, where INFINITE walked down the streets of unique Japanese shops for presents. Especially, I find the “Merry Christmas” whisper by Sungyeol attractive, which was incorporated into the song.”

“You Can Cry”: “A really different Christmas concept song to take on, as they sing about how lonely Christmas can get for those who are still single. The lyrics sing out to me especially, since I’m single as well (sadly), but somehow the song provides me comfort and gives me a warm feeling that I’m not the only one feeling that way. They may not seem like an extremely viral or outstanding group just yet, but fans who notice them would realize that their vocals, rapping, and entertainment skills make them a well-rounded group, as one can see from the MV.”

Let us know what your favorite holiday songs are and don’t forget to vote for your favorite artists in the 2014 International Hallyu Awards!