Anime and K-pop have taken over the world with their popularity. And now, the happy crossover of the two genres of Asian Entertainment has merged the fanbases.
From TVXQ to rising music act Enhypen, several K-pop artists and groups have contributed to the rich discography of original anime soundtracks. ComingSoon.Net lists some must-listen Anime soundtracks sung by K-pop idols.
TVXQ’s ‘Share The World’ for One Piece
TVXQ’s original five members, Yunho, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, Xiah Junsu, and Max Changmin, sang the opening OST, “Share The World,” for the globally popular anime One Piece. TVXQ dropped the Japanese single “Share The World” for One Piece on April 22, 2009.
Produced by Toei Animation, One Piece started airing in 1999. The series is still on the run, as the 21st season of the anime will be released in 2024. The anime follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body underwent unusual changes as he accidentally ate a Devil Fruit.
BoA’s Masayume Chasing for Fairy Tail
K-pop veteran singer and songwriter BoA showed her impact even in Japan as she sang for one of the most popular animes, Fairy Tail, in 2014. The song “Masayume Chasing” is her 37th Japanese single overall. It was released as a part of her Japanese studio album, Who’s Back?
Along with the popularity of the anime Fairy Tail, BoA’s single “Masayume Chasing” performed well in Japan, peaking at number 15 on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart and number 27 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. The single also made its mark in the Korean charts, reaching 54 on the Gaon International Chart.
Apink’s ‘Brand New Days’ for Rilu Rilu Fairilu
Second-generation K-pop girl group Apink released the song “Brand New Days” (2016) for Rilu Rilu Fairilu. After debuting in 2011, the K-pop act released multiple Korean albums. “Brand New Days” was Apink’s fifth Japanese single and the first original one.
Created by Studio Deen, Rilu Rilu Fairilu depicts the story of the magical world of Little Fairilu. The world has delicate magical fairies representing flowers, insects, and other entities named Fairilu, who all took birth from the Fairilu Seed.
Apink’s soft vocals matched the mood of Rilu Rilu Fairilu perfectly. After the song’s release, Apink performed the anime OST on TV Tokyo.
TXT’s “Everlasting Shine” for Black Clover
K-pop fourth-generation record-making group Tomorrow X Together (TXT) entered the anime league with a Black Clover opening song. The K-pop quartet sang the twelfth opening for Black Clover. Later, the group also performed the song live on their 2022 TXT Fan Con.
Black Cover unveils the story of two orphans, Asta and Yuno, who come from the outskirts of the Clover Kingdom. The duo has contrasting lives. Asta is born without any magic, but Yuno, on the other hand, is hailed as a prodigy with above-average magic power. The story explores how Asta and Yuno crawl up the ladder of the Clover Kingdom’s Magic Knights. Both want to become wizard kings, but only one will have the ultimate win.
Stray Kids ‘Top’ for Tower Of God
K-pop trendsetters Stray Kids successfully made anime fans fall in love with their stunning vocals. JYP Entertainment’s top boy group released the single “Top” for the anime Tower Of God in 2020. “Top” was also their first Japanese single.
The anime Tower Of God is based on S.I.U’s Korean webtoon. The anime started airing on April 1, 2020. Stray Kids became one of the first artists to sing an opening for the popular anime. The majestic orchestra-like production of the song and the powerful vocals of “Top” made it an instant hit. The song’s official music video has received over 17 million streams on YouTube since its release.
Enhypen’s ‘Forget Me Not’ for Re-Main
HYBE Labels’ award-winning rookie group Enhypen made their Japanese debut with the song “Forget Me Not” in 2022. It was the opening theme for TV Asahi’s animation series, Re-Main. “Forget Me Not” was a part of Enhypen’s first Japanese single album, Border: 儚い (Transient).
The anime Re-Main follows a water polo star, Minato Kiyomizu, who got caught in an accident and has been in a coma ever since. But Minato’s life changes drastically when he regains consciousness 203 days later. He loses three years of his memories. Even without having any memory of his skill, Minato goes back to play water polo. With sheer determination against odds that are not in his favor, Minato starts the impossible journey of getting his life back.
