Sampling is common in K-pop, as artists seek inspiration from other works. While some are obvious, others are more discreet with it. Here are K-pop songs you had no idea were sampled!
1. IVE - 'After LIKE'
This one might be common knowledge for DIVEs, but it may be new news for some!
IVE's latest comeback, "After LIKE," sample of Gloria Gaynor's 1978 hit track "I Will Survive." If you listen to the instrumentals, you will definitely hear them!
"After LIKE" draws major influence from EDM, house music, and disco, the latter of which is brought in through the sampling of "I Will Survive."
2. ENHYPEN - 'Go Big or Go Home'
Even ENGENEs might be surprised to hear that ENHYPEN's song "Go Big or Go Home" is sampled!
"Go Big or Go Home" is sampled from Robin S's 1993 single "Show Me Love." If you listen closely, you can hear the umpteenth riff of the 90's classic in ENHYPEN's b-sidetrack.
This song is well-loved by fans due to how reminiscent it is of the old-school dance sound. This type of music was popular in South Korea half a decade ago and is seeing a resurgence now.
3. TWICE - 'CRY FOR ME'
ONCEs, this might surprise you! TWICE's special single "CRY FOR ME," which was released in 2020, actually samples another song!
"CRY FOR ME" samples a song all the way back from 1971! What song? Cat Steven's "Wild World."
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The flow of the song is highly similar to the chorus; in fact, they have the same melody and chord progression! However, TWICE has a more dramatic feel to the song, while Cat Stevens is slightly calmer. But both songs talk about heartbreak and love.
4. EVERGLOW - 'ADIOS'
"ADIOS" is often considered EVERGLOW's representative song, as it is arguably their most famous release. But did you know the song is sampled from another track? "ADIOS" samples the 2018 song "Destin" by Trooper!
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This can be heard in the last part of "ADIOS," where the girls sing "La la la" as they perform the dance break. This exact portion is heard in "Destin." Other parts of "ADIOS" are highly reminiscent of the 2018 track.
5. Girls' Generation - 'Into the New World'
Girls' Generation's debut song, one of the most recognizable debuts of all time, was also sampled!
"Into the New World," which was released in 2007, sampled Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer." which was released in 1984.
This might be news for even old-school SONEs! "Into the New World" contains an interpolation of "The Boy of Summer." The sample can be heard in the intro part of the song and throughout "Into the New World."
6. aespa - 'Dreams Come True'
This is another song that most people may already know but is too iconic to leave out!
aespa released "Dreams Come True" in 2021 as a remake of S.E.S's song, which was released in 1998. aespa is not the first artist to cover the song; in fact, Girls' Generation and Red Velvet have also performed "Dreams Come True" in the past.
The song is a remake of "Like a Fool" (the actual title is "Rakastuin mä looseriin") by the Finnish girl group Nylon Beat. The song was released in 1996. In S.E.S's version, the instrumental remains identical, while there are more changes in aespa's remake.
7. IVE - 'Off the Record'
IVE's "Off the Record" samples not one, but two songs!
The starting instrumental before the members start singing is sampled from the 1981 hit song "Memory" by Barbara Streisand.
During Yunjin's part in the bridge, the group samples the chorus of "Lovefool" by The Cardigans, which was released in 1996.
8. LE SSERAFIM - 'FEARLESS'
This might surprise even long-time FEARNOTs!
The pre-chorus of the group's debut track, "FEARLESS," actually samples the intro of one of Shakira's biggest songs, "Whenever, Wherever!"
As the girl group added their own twist to it, it is hard to notice unless you listen out for it.
9. BLACKPINK - 'Pink Venom'
BLACKPINK's "Pink Venom" pays homage to several top rappers and R&B artists!
During Lisa's first verse on "Pink Venom," the girl samples and interpolates Rihanna's "Pon de Replay," which was released in 2005. Both songs make use of the line, "One by one, then two by two."
Lisa's part also samples 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P," with both songs using the line "Couldn't get a dollar out of me."
Jennie's part samples the 1997 Notorious B.I.G. hit "Kick in the Door" with Jennie making use of the title in her first verse.
10. TWICE - 'FANCY'
Though this is one of TWICE's biggest songs, it is not common knowledge that the girl group used a sample for "FANCY."
Throughout the song, the girl group samples D-Train's "Misunderstanding." You can definitely hear the similarities four minutes into D-Train's song!
11. Girls' Generation - 'The Boys'
SONEs, did you know this?
The rap part and the bridge of Girls' Generation's "The Boys" actually samples "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. The latter song was released in 1988.
Did you know these songs were remakes? Tell us in the comments below!
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