K-pop idols sure know how to whistle!
For years past, fans of K-pop have been given songs ranging from cute and bubbly to dark and mysterious. And yet, between upbeat jams and soft ballads, lies a memorable sub-genre of its own: whistling. Dating back to the early beginnings of K-pop, artists of all kinds have dabbled in this niche category, producing some of the most iconic songs of all time.
Here’s a list of ten amazing K-pop songs that incorporate whistling. Whether it’s a lazy summer tune or a sexy beat, the whistling in these songs makes them very catchy—and extremely unique!
The expression “old but gold” couldn’t be more true when it comes to this song! When it comes to catchy whistling, Brown Eyed Girl‘s”Kill Bill” immediately comes to mind. The song is both classy and provocative, with a western twist. The MV isn’t lacking in style either— the backup dancers sport cowboy hats while the girls are decked out in black boots, further demonstrating the song’s distinct style.
A country pop track, “Solo Day” by B1A4 is much more cheerful in nature. The bright and summery music video reflects the lighthearted atmosphere of the track. You might find yourself whistling this tune on a leisurely drive or while lounging around your house on a warm afternoon.
The most recent release on this list, (G)I-DLE‘s title track “Hann” simply proves that whistling never goes out of style! In this song, the charismatic members sing of loneliness, betrayal, and heartbreak. The eerie whistling, when mixed with dark clothes and empty backdrops, helps create a desolate ambiance to convey this melancholy tale.
HyunA and Jang Hyunseung debuted as a now iconic duo Trouble Maker when they released this MV of the same name. The song and music video combines themes that are intimate and sexy, yet dangerous and unnerving. The whistling combined with provocative dance steps has succeeded in immortalizing this song within the K-pop community.
Speaking of sexy, another great girl group produced a classy song with whistling. However, this time, the song had a more modern twist. The girls of gugudan combined their hats and boots look to create a completely new vibe in their song, “The Boots.” The music video has an aristocratic atmosphere, coupled with an almost relaxing whistle in the background.
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete with BTS‘s groundbreaking “DNA”! The music video and song feature a prominent whistle throughout, giving the song a casually arrogant personality. While sexiness is definitely there, the seven members also play up the romantic undertones of whistling as they sing about love not being a coincidence.
Mega-popular girl group BLACKPINK decided to tackle the challenge head on with their song “Whistle.” The track combines a long, catchy whistle with hardcore beats and a no-nonsense attitude. Mixed with powerful vocals and confident rap verses, “Whistle” packed quite a punch at release, and remains one of their most popular songs so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZyr7OLFvVA
If BLACKPINK goes hard with their “Whistle,” then underrated boy-group 24K goes even harder with their song “Superfly.” This song can often be found in playlists showcasing hype K-pop tracks, and that’s for good reason! The hip-hop EDM track combines whistling with intense beat drops and exaggerated dance moves, as well as vocals that are fierce and wild.
Whistling can be upbeat, sexy, or dangerous, but it can also be bright and flirtatious! LABOUM‘s “Hwi Hwi” is a prime example. The song is an upbeat dance track, incorporating cute whistling as the girls sing about missing their lovers’ kisses. The colorful nature of the MV perfectly mirrors the vibrancy of this fresh and adorable track!
To finish this list off with a bang, one couldn’t dare to forget the powerful “Honeymoon” by B.A.P! The intense whistling in this song starts immediately, moving the song forward as the members sing about overcoming the hindering quality of mental illness and embracing the light in the world. The low whistle compliments the powerful vocals and expressive rap to create a musical masterpiece!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcZDcS2nV64
Although not a title-track and very rarely promoted, G-Dragon‘s “Missing You” (featuring Kim Yoon Ah) is the “cherry on top” of this list. The song is light and happy, contrasting the sad lyrics about missing a loved one. The prominent whistle in this song paints a nostalgic image, and it’s a melody anyone could listen to on a lonely day.
Fresh, funky, seductive, mysterious— there are so many different songs that incorporate whistling into the track, including many that will undoubtedly get stuck in your head! Were there any of your favorites that we missed? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1!
Saleha (StarlightSora) is a WTK writer who hails from Northern Virginia. She’s an avid fan of VIXX, B.A.P, EXO, BTS, SEVENTEEN (and counting). An otaku and a gamer, when she’s not writing fanfiction for one fandom or another, she can be found binge-watching anime or playing through The Last of Us for the twentieth time. She hopes to be a published writer one day—after seeing all her faves live, of course.
Media: As Credited