SM Entertainment
Fall has arrived once again, and with Halloween just around the corner everyone is curating their playlists for the holiday. If you’re looking for something new to add to your regular seasonal rotation, look no further! Despite the general upbeat nature of the K-pop genre, many artists have released songs that explore more spine-chilling sounds and concepts. Songs like “TT” by TWICE and “Married To The Music” by SHINee often are associated with this theme due to their music videos, but this list focuses more on the sound than the visual themes. Whether you’re headed to the pumpkin patch, costume shopping, or gearing up for a Halloween party, this list has all your bases covered.
1) Favorite (Vampire) – NCT 127
The haunting whistle in the instrumental, lyrics about an all-consuming love, and vampire vibes. This is undoubtedly one of NCT 127’s best title tracks.
2) Cyberpunk – Ateez
Not particularly spooky, but the edgy techno and the chorus makes it fit into the list regardless.
3) Birth – ARTMS
A massive shift in style compared to their other music, and they pulled it off flawlessly.
4) Monster – IRENE & SEULGI
We need this subunit to come back and give us more instant classics.
5) Scream – Dreamcatcher
For people who had an emo phase growing up.
6)Bite Me – ENHYPEN
Another vampire-inspired banger.
7) Voodoo Doll -VIXX
VIXX are the original kings of edgy concepts, this should be required listening as a K-pop stan.
8) Chill Kill – Red Velvet
Dark and sickeningly sweet, no one does it quite like Red Velvet. This entire album could be included on this list, honestly.
9) Jekyll – EXO
EXO’s b-sides are a goldmine, but this one is both excellent and perfect for the season.
10) Zombie – PURPLE KISS
This has become a staple song in K-pop Halloween playlists, and it’s well-deserved.
11) Villain – KEY, JENO
A fun collab between NCT Dream’s Jeno and Key of SHINee, the campy feeling ties in well with the 80’s horror theme of the album.
12) ALIEN – LEE SUHYUN
Cute and funky, one of the more upbeat picks for this list.
13) VILLAIN DIES – (G)I-DLE
(G)I-DLE are no stranger to darker sounds, but the ominous lyrics and horror soundtrack-style instrumental earned this song a spot on the list over the others.
14) Bewitched – PIXY
Nugu excellence, PIXY truly deserves more recognition.
15) Dracula – f(x)
A 3rd gen throwback that’s essential for the holiday.
16) Strawberry Cake – Xdinary Heroes
A melodramatic hit with plenty of eerie elements from the lyrics to the sound.
17) WICKED LOVE – YENA
This cute and creepy pop-rock track is a perfect fit for the season.
18) WITCH – xikers
A more fresh pick than most other songs on the list, this boisterous track is one of the most on-theme on the list between the direct references to Halloween imagery and the sinister instrumental.
19) Nightwalker – TEN
One of the best releases of 2024, TEN is really in his element here.
20) GHOST – DreamNote
A haunting and criminally underrated seasonal track. The post-chorus will make you feel like you’re ascending.
21) LAST WALTZ – TWICE
TWICE’s discography doesn’t have many tracks that fall into the category of being dark or edgy, which is shocking with how well they pull them off.
22) VENOM – Stray Kids
3RACHA were firing on all cylinders when they created this.
23) Monster – SEVENTEEN
Vernon’s intro alone earns this a spot on the list.
24) Intro: Boy Meets Evil – BTS
A standout track in BTS’s discography. You just had to be there when this dropped.
25) Crazy Over You – Blackpink
An unserious anthem for crazy girls, Jisoo’s repeated “e-e-e-e” at the end of the chorus is a fun and campy way to drive the theme home.
26) Frost – TOMORROW X TOGETHER
One of TXT’s most unique songs (and one of the closest things to nu metal you’ll hear in K-pop).
27) WITCH – TRI.BE
Dramatic string arrangements in an instrumental will never get old, and they’re always perfect for curating a chilling vibe.
28) 28 Reasons – SEULGI
Incredibly strong solo debut, dark concepts suit Seulgi very well.
29) Mr. Vampire – ITZY
Another more upbeat choice, but Halloween doesn’t have to be entirely doom and gloom. (Last vampire-related song, I promise.)
30) PHOTO – VERIVERY
Probably not at all intended to be a song associated with Halloween, but the dramatic nature of it makes it fit right in honestly.
31) ZOMBIE – EVERGLOW
Wrapping up the list with a haunting track full of despair and zombie imagery, EVERGLOW tells a tale of being emotionally bled dry by someone until you’re unrecognizable.
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