2020 was meant to be a promising year for a lot of people. So many of us set plans, scheduled dates, booked flights and bought concert tickets. Eleven months and a few days later, we are now nearing the end of a rollercoaster ride of breakdowns, losses, missed opportunities, deferred hopes, and cancelled plans. This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for so many of us and we can all do with some healing for our souls.

The K-Pop industry might not be a pioneer in raising and cultivating mental health awareness. But there is no denying the plethora of artist contributions to the advocacy through speeches, programmes, social media posts and heartfelt songs. Some artists narrate their personal struggles with depression, anxiety, and mental health in general through their songs. Many fans (and even non-fans) turn to these songs in sad and hard times; it is assuring to know that someone they look up to understands what they are going through and encourages them to keep going despite the odds.

This year has been full of odds, which is why right now is a good opportunity to stop, take a step back and let ourselves breathe. Here are 10 songs to listen to (and maybe cry yourself to sleep again to) and be reminded that even if 2020 is almost over, it’s still okay to not be okay.

1. Zombie by DAY6

Superband DAY6 released Zombie in May as the title track of their sixth mini-album The Book of Us: The Demon. This song was released at a time when people all around the world were struggling to adapt to “the new normal.”

The upbeat rhythm of the song contrasts the hard truths in its lyrics, a signature style of the band. Zombie has a Korean and an English version, but both translations resound the same message of feeling stuck and of being alive but not really, just like how many of us may have been feeling this year.

2. To My Youth by BOL4

Not necessarily an ode to one’s younger days, To My Youth is a song to listen to when you want to reflect on the “beautiful days” that were also filled with pain.

Paired with BOL4‘s melancholic voices, the track is a glimpse of the pressure young people feel from their families and peers, the feeling of constantly wanting to give up or disappear, and the hope that pushes them to keep going. It’s the perfect song to keep you company when all you can say is “what do I do?” 

3. Tomorrow, Today by JJ Project

In answer to “what do I do?”, JJ Project begins the song Tomorrow, Today with another introspective question all of us ask ourselves — “why must I decide about tomorrow, today?”

GOT7 Jinyoung and Jaebeom sing of the indecisiveness we feel every now and then, especially during these uncertain times, as well as the anxiety these times bring. The track reflects our longing to know what lies before us but also reminds us that it’s okay to not decide for our future today.

4. Dear Me by Taeyeon

The public witnessed Taeyeon’s victories, struggles, and growth since her debut in Girls’ Generation in 2007. But there were also parts and instances in her life that people know nothing about and only get glimpses of through her track releases.

Dear Me is a song filled with Taeyeon’s sad and personal thoughts, things she wants to tell herself as the title suggests and the lyrics imply. Although her emotional voice adds to the melancholy of the song, the track is also a mantra of self-love — “I love myself, I trust myself, I have myself by my side, I will become a spreading light and fly.”  

6. I’m All Ears by GOT7 Youngjae and Jamie Park 

This collaborative song by GOT7 Youngjae and soloist Jamie Park was birthed as part of the youth suicide prevention campaign in South Korea called “Ready To Listen” last 2018.

The song seeks to comfort those who struggle with dark thoughts and mental health issues. It was paired with the launch of the “I’m All Ears” counseling system.

In their social media posts, Youngjae and Jamie reiterated the track’s message to their fans and followers — “Don’t think that you are alone. You can talk to me. I’m all ears.”

6. That’s Okay by EXO D.O.

“You’re just as you are and it’s alright, it’s okay…”

That’s Okay by EXO’s D.O. was released on the day of his military enlistment on July 1, 2019. It was thought to be a farewell gift to EXO-Ls as he wrote the lyrics. A year after the release, the song still comforts heavy-hearted fans and listeners with D.O.’s warm voice telling us it’s okay to let go of painful emotions and that time can heal the hurt. 

7. Grow Up by Stray Kids

Stray Kids is no stranger to producing personal songs in their albums. In fact, most of their releases talk of their struggles as individuals or as a group.

Grow Up is Stray Kids’ way of assuring each other and their fans that it’s okay to make mistakes and that we all need to go through fallbacks as part of growing up. They remind listeners to just keep their pace and to trust themselves — “you’re doing fine”.

8. Feel Special by TWICE

More than just a cheery pop track, Feel Special is actually a heartwarming song that tells of the power of friendship and companionship in times of hardship.

TWICE admitted on various occasions how the song and the entire album felt personal to them individually and as a group, especially after Mina experience mental health issues firsthand. Feel Special is a song dedicated by the girls both to each other and to their fans, because it’s their presence that makes them feel special and loved.

9. Hug by SEVENTEEN

SEVENTEEN is known for writing and dedicating heartfelt songs to their fans. Hug may be a short track sung by the group’s vocal unit composed of Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, DK, and Seungkwan, but every lyric is a sincere word from the boys who want to express how precious CARATs are to them.

Placed with their other fan-dedicated songs like Home, Our Dawn Is Hotter Than Day, Don’t Listen In Secret, and Campire, Hug is the ultimate comfort song to play when you want to rest after a bad day or even a bad year.

10. Life Goes On by BTS

BTS released Life Goes On only three weeks ago but the song is already making history for today’s most popular boy group. But more than just being another chart-topper, Life Goes On is also another entry into BTS’ legacy of introspective tracks reflecting the members’ own life stories, this time in the context of the pandemic.

Life Goes On features relatable lyrics about the current world situation yet reminds listeners that no matter what, we can pick ourselves up and continue on.

Songs can only go so far as to resonate with our thoughts and our feelings, but sometimes they can genuinely bring comfort and healing.

Healing is also a rollercoaster ride, it has ups and downs, and it can be both thrilling and scary sometimes.

As 2020 comes to an end, please take a moment to breathe, listen to this playlist or to your own go-to comfort songs, talk to a friend, get some sleep, or do whatever activity that calms your nerves. Remember that it’s okay to be slow, to be weak, to not be okay today and that you can always try to be better again tomorrow. 

Written by: Miray
Image by: Agnes