5 K-Pop Songs That Have Been Featured in Movies

Over the years, K-pop has become increasingly popular around the world, and is considered a global phenomenon. In addition to attracting crowds of fans in different parts of the world, South Korean pop music has also been featured in various film productions, including major movie productions.

Only in 2024, for example, K-pop fans could find songs by BTS and BLACKPINK in the animation “Despicable Me 4”, where it is possible to listen to the songs “BOOMBAYAH” and “Dynamite”.

Now in “Deadpool & Wolverine”, the latest release from Marvel Studios, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh JackmanStray Kids were present with the new song “Slash”.

With that in mind, let’s take a look back at some other K-pop songs that have appeared in different Hollywood films.

1. As If It’s Your Last — BLACKPINK (Justice League)

Released in 2017, “As If It’s Your Last”, BLACKPINK’s single, appears in “Justice League” (2017) in the scene where Barry Allen, the Flash, played by Ezra Millermeets Batman (Ben Affleck) for the first time in his house, invaded by Batman. At the time, the music video is also shown on one of the televisions present in the scene.

2. Friends — BTS (Eternals)

In Marvel’s “Eternals” (2021), BTS is mentioned in the scene where Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) is considering leaving the film he was producing, which would feature a “special appearance” by the boy group, to take part in the battle. After his decision, on the plane, it is possible to listen to the song “Friends”, a b-side from the 2020 album “Map of the Soul: 7”.

3. Russian Roulette and Zimzalabim — Red Velvet (Trolls 2)

In the 2020 animation “Trolls 2”, we are introduced to the “Kpop Gang” (K-pop Gang, in Portuguese), a group composed of five characters, inspired by the members of Red Velvet: Baby Bun (Irene), Gomdori (Seulgi), Wani (Wendy), Ari (Joy) and Kim-Petit (Yeri). In addition, two famous title tracks by the girl group are also part of the film: “Russian Roulette” (2016) and “Zimzalabim” (2019).

4. Hangover — PSY (Black Panther)

During “Black Panther” (2018), the film travels to Busan, South Korea. In the scene where T’Challa arrives on South Korean soil, and we see the landscape of the great port city, it is possible to hear the track “Hangover” by soloist PSY.

5. Nobody — Wonder Girls (Penguins of Madagascar)

One of the classics of K-pop, “Nobody” by Wonder Girls was released in 2008 and is considered one of the girl group’s biggest hits. The track appears in the 2015 film “Penguins of Madagascar”, in the scene where the “penguin mermaids” are introduced.