8 K-Pop Songs That Reference Other K-Pop Songs
K-Pop songs at times make pop culture references in the lyrics, with the song’s choreography, or in the music video.
For these eight K-Pop songs, the lyrics, and for some, the choreography, reference other K-Pop songs. Check out the list below!
1. NCT’s Taeyong, Jeno, Hendery, YangYang & aespa Giselle’s “ZOO”
For SMTOWN’s 2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express album, NCT‘s Taeyong, Jeno, Hendery, YangYang & aespa‘s Giselle collaborated on the catchy track “ZOO.”
Giselle was credited as a lyricist on the track and included a shout-out to her group’s song “Savage” during the rap.
Don’t you know that I’m a savage? (Savage)
— aespa Giselle’s rap in “ZOO”
2. Red Velvet’s “Birthday”
In Red Velvet‘s most recent song, “Birthday,” the members referenced two of their previous tracks; one reference was for “Ice Cream Cake,” their 2015 track.
Sugar sweet ice cream cake.
— Red Velvet Yeri’s line in “Birthday”
Another reference was to their debut song, “Happiness,” repeating one of the lyrics from the song in their latest release, “Birthday.”
We rock the world.
— Red Velvet Wendy’s line in “Birthday”
3. TREASURE’s “JIKJIN”
TREASURE‘s 2022 hit track “JIKJIN” included a special reference to their fellow labelmate BLACKPINK‘s Lisa.
Several TREASURE members were credited as lyricists on the track, and member Yoshi included a tribute to Lisa by including lyrics, “Eojjeol su eopjana, wassup!“ from her rap in BLACKPINK’s 2020 hit “How You Like That.”
4. Somi’s “XOXO”
In Somi’s second solo single, “XOXO,” she references BLACKPINK Jennie‘s debut solo track “SOLO” in both the lyrics and choreography.
Glowing as a solo.
— Somi’s “XOXO” lyrics
5. DAWN’s “DAWNDIDIDAWN” (feat. Jessi)
In DAWN‘s track “DAWNDIDIDAWN” featuring soloist Jessi, they both reference HyunA‘s “Bubble Pop.”
Bubble pop Bubble pop Bubble pop pop
HyunA told me make your booty drop— Jessi’s rap in “DAWNDIDIDAWN”
DAWN also included a tribute to his company CEO at the time, PSY, when he referenced the veteran singer’s debut album, Psy from the Psycho World!
Psycho like Psy bro
— DAWN’s line in “DAWNDIDIDAWN”
6. (G)I-DLE’s “Allergy”
(G)I-DLE recently dropped the pre-release track “Allergy” from their 6th mini-album, I Feel, which included a shout-out to NewJeans‘ viral song “Hype Boy” as well as their own hit song “TOMBOY.”
I also want to dance ‘Hype Boy’
But in the screen, I’d look like ‘TOMBOY’— (G)I-DLE Shuhua’s line in “Allergy”
7. BIGBANG G-Dragon’s “The Leaders” (feat. CL & Teddy)
BIGBANG‘s leader G-Dragon collaborated with longtime in-house YG Entertainment producer and 1TYM leader Teddy Park and 2NE1‘s leader CL to bring to life “The Leaders” in 2009.
The confident track referenced Girls’ Generation‘s hit song “Gee,” which was released the same year.
My name is G G G G baby babyG D G D baby baby
— G-Dragon’s rap in “The Leaders”
8. 2NE1’s “Falling In Love”
In 2NE1’s 2014 hit song “Falling In Love,” CL references multiple of their past hits in her rap. Her rap covered references to “In The Club,” “Ugly,” “I Don’t Care,” “Can’t Nobody,” “Fire,” and “Hate you.”
Yeah in the club, it’s getting ugly, I don’t care
Can’t nobody stop the fire, let them haters sit and stare— CL’s rap in “Falling In Love”
Check out more K-Pop songs that reference other K-Pop songs in the article below!
10+ K-Pop Songs You Didn’t Know Referenced Other K-Pop Songs
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