Songs to Recover From Heartbreak
As we’re approaching summer, there might be a few people out there who need confidence after a breakup, a cure for loneliness, or support in just being single. The females in K-Pop are here to remind you that it’s hot girl summer and you deserve to know your worth. Whether you’re over relationships, sad, lonely, or trying to cope with the pain you’ve endured, just know that K-Pop always has your back!
In no particular order, here are a few songs to recover from the pre-summer blues.
“I DON’T CARE” - 2NE1
For the heartbroken ones, you’ll be shouting this at the top of your lungs. In 2009, 2NE1 released “I DON’T CARE” from their mini-album 2NE1 1st Mini Album. In the music video, the girls know the feeling of heartbreak from catching their partners cheating. However, these girls remind us that it’s okay to be hurt, but not to give any attention to past lovers. In the wise words of 2NE1, “Sometimes you gotta act like you don’t care.”
“L.I.E” - EXID
If you’re feeling more angry than hurt, this next one's for you. EXID’s 2016 studio album Street features the appropriately titled track “L.I.E.” The girls realize the words from their partners are lies, leading them to despise them. The anger is very noticeable throughout the lyrics and are, truthfully, the most uplifting words to recover from heartbreak. There’s nothing like coping with anger like singing Hani’s words, “Go to hell.”
“I don’t need a man” - miss A
How could we not feature the most obvious independent woman track of the century? On miss A’s 2012 fifth project album Independent Women Part III is the women empowerment anthem “I don’t need a man.” All four girls show us that they don’t need a man to provide them wealth, gifts, or even love; they are independent and can do it all on their own. By starting off the track with, “This is for all the independent ladies,” the song provides the reassurance that as women, we got this and don’t need any favors—especially from a significant other.
“Hate” - 4Minute
Don’t let the track fool you into thinking it’s soft because it’s about to switch up before the chorus. In 2016, 4Minute released their seventh mini-album, Act. 7, featuring the powerful track “Hate.” This song describes the anger you feel after discovering your partner is a liar, leading you to not want anything to do with them anymore. The lyrics get the point across by saying, “I don’t need you,” and, “Just leave me alone.” It’s a reminder to not let any relationship bother you anymore once you’ve seen someone’s true colors.
“DIRTY” - MIRYO
If you’re looking to rap away your feelings, here’s a good one. In 2012, MIRYO of Brown Eyed Girls released her self-produced album titled MIRYO aka JOHONEY featuring the track “DIRTY.” She details how quickly her love interest stopped making an effort, only to find out he’s been playing with her heart. Her lyrics break down the confused and angry emotions coming from this failing relationship, but she reminds herself of her worth by saying, “I’m too good for someone like you—you’re dirty.”
“Teach You” - Tiffany Young
Even though this track is in English, we can’t miss out on including Tiffany Young of Girls’ Generation. Her 2018 digital single “Teach You” breaks down how she should’ve known the guy she liked was just another “stupid boy.” She’s not letting him play with her anymore; however, she’s ready to fight back. In her lyrics, she lets him know he’ll pay for breaking her heart by saying, “If you mess with me you get hurt,” and, “I’ll be the one to teach ya’.” Let this be the song to remind you that yes, it’s okay to make your ex pay for breaking your heart.
“+DONE161201+” - CL
Are you trying to get rid of someone who hurt you and won’t stop coming back? This one’s for you. From CL’s single album In The Name of Love, we have the up-tempo track “+DONE161201+”. Even though her music video doesn’t feature an exact story, the various participants in the video sing along to her lyrics of being “done” with a relationship. CL expresses her pain and exhaustion from the whole thing in her rap by saying, “I don’t ever wanna think about you, matter fact, that’s the last word that I ever gonna sing about you, I’m done.”
“See U Later” - BLACKPINK
Last, but certainly not least, we have the song to push away the players. In 2018, BLACKPINK released their single album Square Up, featuring the pop and hip-hop track "See U Later." These girls sing about a breakup where they tell their exes that they'll regret it—but for now, see you later. They stand by their words with lyrics like, "I don't want you no more," and, "See you later, maybe never." BLACKPINK is here to remind you that you should just walk away because you're better by yourself anyways.