From BTS to TWICE and many more, these K-Pop groups and idols gave memorable covers that are a must-watch for any fan.
If there is one thing that you can expect K-Pop groups and idols to deliver, it’s a great performance. After all, they don’t spend years as a trainee for nothing. Strong vocals, crisp dance moves, and commanding stage presence are some of the things these K-Pop idols bring on stage. While we love to watch these idols perform their own songs, we don’t mind an occasional cover here and there. This is something idols have done on occasion and for some of them, they have done covers that are absolutely phenomenal. Here are 12 times K-Pop groups and idols covered Western songs and blew us away.
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BTS – Fix You by Coldplay
BTS are no strangers to covering Western songs. Some have even led to collaborations with the actual artist, but among the covers they have done, their cover of Fix You by Coldplay is truly one of their best. Performed during their appearance on MTV Unplugged earlier this year, their cover of Fix You is a much watch, ARMY or not. Their vocals are on point and the mixing of lower-pitched members with higher-pitched members is great. Jin, though, stands out in this performance and proves once again why his vocals should not be slept on. The performance was simple production-wise, but was so memorable because BTS really brought out the emotion in the song.
TWICE – Born This Way by Lady Gaga
TWICE has covered their fair share of Western songs, but for a truly unforgettable cover, it has to be their cover of Born This Way by Lady Gaga. Performed by Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Mina, and Chaeyoung during TWICE’s 2019 world tour, their cover hits all the right notes, both musically and message-wise. They did the choreography of Born This Way, but still gave it their own twist to make it unique to them. Nayeon’s tone, Jeongyeon’s powerful voice, Mina’s deep voice, and Chaeyoung’s deep rap are all on display in this song. To have one of the biggest girl groups in the world sing a song about love and acceptance of people no matter who they are or where they come from was a special moment.
NCT’s Doyoung – breathin by Ariana Grande
As the main vocalist of NCT 127, expect NCT’s Doyoung to always bring the vocals every time he sings. His covers of Western cover songs are no exception. Among those he has done, his cover of breathin by Ariana Grande is a standout. He sounds heavenly on this cover and if you close your eyes, you might think that an angel is singing to you. The piano arrangement by Kun and the smile Doyoung does at the end makes the cover even better.
NCT’s Jaehyun – I Like Me Better by Lauv
This iconic cover is familiar to a lot of NCTzens and k-pop fans in general, and we had to put it on the list because it’s that good. Jaehyun is mainly known for two things, his sensual vocals, and his outstanding good looks and you get both of that in this cover. The fact that Lauv himself commented on the video should tell you all you need to know. If this video had an alternative title, it would be: “POV: Your boyfriend takes you on a date around London and Paris.”
Girl’s Generation-TTS – Cater 2 U by Destiny’s Child
If you consider yourself a K-pop fan, you must know who Girl’s Generation are. In many ways, they are trailblazers and one of the foundations for modern K-pop. The group has had many subgroups over the years including their first one, TTS comprised of members Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun. This subgroup delivered a phenomenal cover of Cater 2 U by Destiny’s Child. They didn’t dance and there wasn’t any over-the-top production. It was just the three girls in matching black and plaid outfits singing their hearts out. They sound great individually, but their harmonies are what brings this cover to the next level.
Blackpink’s Lisa – Say So by Doja Cat
During Blackpink’s The Show earlier this year, all four members had solo stages and it was Lisa’s solo stage that proved to be one of the highlights of the show. She did a cover of Say So by Doja Cat and killed it. Vocals were clear, dancing was smooth, stage presence was on display, and the fact that she made her own rap *chef’s kiss*. Her performance was Lisa at her best.
EXO’s Chanyeol – Creep by Radiohead
EXO’s Chanyeol may be the main rapper of the group, but with his voice, he can honestly pass off as the main vocal. Rapping is what he is most known for in the group but Chanyeol has an amazing voice and that is on display in his cover of Creep by Radiohead. Flanked by J.Y. Park and his fellow members, Chanyeol sings an acoustic version of the song while playing the guitar and swoons the entire audience. The only thing that is wrong with his cover is that it’s too short.
MONSTA X – Versace on the Floor by Bruno Mars
Versace on the Floor is actually a song they’ve covered a few times on tour, but it was usually just between members Shownu and Jooheon. Their cover as a full group though is the best cover they have done. All of them sound great and their harmonies are so soothing to hear. It’s commendable that even though it is a cover, they still gave their own spin to the song such as coming up with their own choreography, having IM do a rap in Korean, and doing a dance break near the end. And let’s not forget Jooheon’s high note in the beginning, the main rapper of the group did that!
Taemin – Despacito by Luis Fonsi
Performed when Music Bank filmed in Chile in 2018, Taemin’s cover of Despacito is incredible. Despite being alone on stage, he killed the performance and it felt like the song was his own. He sang the song in Spanish and sounded quite fluent. He wasn’t even dancing and was just standing on stage, but the audience practically fell in love with Taemin, and we did, too.
A.C.E – Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi
A.C.E is arguably one of the most underrated boy groups currently active. Their songs are complete bops, their choreography is intense, and their covers are exceptional. Among all their covers they have done of Western songs, their cover of Someone You Loved is their best work. Performed by members Jun, Donghun, and Chan, their vocals will give you goosebumps. From start to finish, their voices are so beautiful, both when they sing solo and together in harmony. You can feel the emotions of the song emanating from their voices.
Jessi – Dance Monkey by Tones and I
You may know Jessi mainly as a rapper, but what you don’t know is that she has an incredible voice. When she debuted, she was originally a vocalist and after all these years, she still got it. Jessi is serving vocals in her cover of Dance Monkey. Her dark and husky voice also suits the song so well. Jessi could pass off Dance Monkey as her own song and we wouldn’t be mad about it at all.
Hyolyn – Rockabye by Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie
When Hyolyn was a member of SISTAR and even now as a soloist, she is more remembered for her looks, but she is an exceptional vocalist. Underestimate her at your own peril. Her cover of Rockabye is proof that she is one of the most talented female vocalists in K-Pop. She ate this live and acoustic version of Rockabye up and left no crumbs. Her voice is spectacular, and she owned the song like it was her own.
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