From the feel-good pop hit by BTS and Halsey to the cross-cultural collaboration between Armaan Malik, Eric Nam, and KSHMR, K-pop’s global rise has led to some standout team-ups. We’re counting down our top 12 collaborations that are helping shape the future of music, featuring pairings such as Jung Kook and Charlie Puth, Rosé and Bruno Mars, Jackson Wang and Diljit Dosanjh, and many more.
“Boy with Luv” – BTS (feat. Halsey)
One of the most popular K-pop collaborations to date, “Boy With Luv”—the lead single from BTS’s sixth mini album Map of the Soul: Persona—went viral soon after its release. Yonhap News reported that the surge of fans streaming the song caused several servers to crash, including Korea’s largest music site, Melon. Teaming up with American singer-songwriter Halsey, BTS delivered a music video that became the most viewed on YouTube in South Korea in 2019 and now has over 1.8 billion views. The video features playful visuals and flower boy aesthetics, with BTS and Halsey sharing a message about appreciating life’s small joys.
“Echo” – Armaan Malik, Eric Nam with KSHMR
Indian pop artist Armaan Malik, Korean-American singer Eric Nam, and Indian-American producer KSHMR came together for a collaboration that fuses K-pop and Indian pop with an EDM backdrop. In a conversation with Rolling Stone India, the artists revealed that the project began with a simple exchange of emails and YouTube links. For Malik, it marked his first international collaboration—a milestone he described as especially meaningful. “Being an Indian artist… I feel a kind of responsibility… This is not something that’s happened before, this is something that’s so new for India and Indian musicians,” he said.
“My Universe” Coldplay and BTS
“My Universe” made it to Rolling Stone’s 100 best BTS tracks, and was born out of the K-pop icon expressing a wish to collaborate with British rock sensation Coldplay. Released as the second single from Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres, the track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2021. A celebration of love rising above boundaries, the song’s music video is set in a dystopian world where music is banned. Despite being on different planets, Coldplay, BTS, and the fictional band Supernova 7 perform together as holograms. The track stands out for its seamless blend of Coldplay’s alt-rock sound with BTS’s K-pop style, creating a synth-pop anthem.
“Left and Right” – Charlie Puth (feat. Jung Kook)
“Left and Right” was one of the biggest collaborations of 2022. It marked Jung Kook’s first solo music video appearance outside BTS, as a featured artist on American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth’s infectious pop track. While its highlight remains Puth and Jung Kook’s vocals, the driving rhythms add so much depth and texture to its wistful lyrics about past love. The visuals feature Puth spilling his heart out to a “love doctor” as Jung Kook keeps popping up, adding his own flair. The song’s success speaks for itself—it was a major milestone for both artists, earning them their first top 10 entry on Billboard Global 200.
“Back for More” – Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and Anitta
K-pop powerhouse TXT and Brazilian star Anitta teamed up for “Back for More,” a sensual pop track that celebrates the beauty of everyday moments, especially the joy of reuniting with someone special. The music video crackles with energy, mixing TXT’s sharp choreography with Anitta’s signature Brazilian flair and emotive verse. The collaboration made history by entering the Billboard Brasil Hot 100 for the first time, peaking at No. 41.
“Standing Next to You” – Jung Kook and Usher Remix
When pop heavyweights come together, sparks fly—and the remix of “Standing Next to You” featuring Jung Kook and American R&B icon Usher is proof. Originally from Jung Kook’s debut album Golden, the track celebrates the power of human connection. The remix brings a fresh burst of energy, blending vibrant disco beats with both artists’ silky vocals and effortless dance moves, creating a standout fusion of style and charisma.
“Whodunit” – Glay and Jay
With Glay’s rock roots and Jay’s K-pop edge, “Whodunit” is a powerful collaboration that shows what happens when we fuse genres. To mark their 30th anniversary, Japanese rock legends Glay teamed up with Enhypen’s Jay for this hard-hitting single. A fusion of Japan’s rock heritage with K-pop’s infectious energy, the track drops you into a gritty world where two characters navigate chaos, fueling the song’s dark, noir-inspired vibes, influenced by Japanese manga artist Eiichiro Oda’s iconic manga universe.
“APT.” – Rosé and Bruno Mars
“APT” started with a fun Korean drinking game and turned into a global hit, thanks to Blackpink‘s Rosé and Bruno Mars. The song fuses pop, punk, rock, and electro with ease. From the catchy “APT” chant to Mars’s cool rap and Rosé’s vocals, it’s full of energy and fun. It topped the Billboard Global 200 for 12 weeks and became more than just a hit—it’s a go-to sing-along and a cultural moment.
“Born Again”- Lisa (feat. Doja Cat & Raye)
“Born Again” brings together Thai rapper, singer, and Blackpink member Lisa; American rapper and singer Doja Cat; and British singer-songwriter Raye in a vibrant fusion of disco and electro-pop. A fiery anthem of empowerment, the track sees the trio celebrating freedom and self-worth after heartbreak. Lisa and Raye trade sharp verses before Doja Cat jumps in with a rap, all backed by slick production and chemistry. The track hit No. 22 on the Billboard Global 200 and marked Lisa’s fifth entry on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 68—cementing her rise as a solo force.
“Asian State of Mind” – Awich, Jay Park, KR$NA, Masiwei & VannDa
Japanese hip-hop artist Awich unites Indian rapper KR$NA, Korean-American rapper Jay Park, Masiwei of Chinese hip-hop group Higher Brothers, and Cambodian rapper VannDa in the hard-hitting hip-hop track, “Asian State of Mind.” The song explores the themes of desires and dreams, mixing languages and styles that celebrate cross-cultural unity and connection.
“Six Mile to Seoul” – Rahul Rajkhowa and Jimmy Brown
Guwahati-born singer-songwriter Rahul Rajkhowa and Seoul’s K-R&B artist Jimmy Brown transformed their single “Bad Girls” into a six-track album, Six Mile to Seoul, featuring songs like “I Made It,” “Fuse,” and “You’re Too Beautiful.” On another, “Tu Meri Favourite,” Rajkhowa sings in Hindi, while Brown switches to Korean. Anecdotally, their collaboration began online after Rajkhowa’s pale blonde was compared to K-pop idols. As he recalls, “So I just put up an Instagram story asking my fans and friends to recommend Korean artists I should definitely collab with.” This led to a DM exchange, eventually shaping the album and its release, which has since garnered over 200,000 streams on Spotify.
“Buck” – Jackson Wang (feat. Diljit Dosanjh)
Asian music icons Jackson Wang (Got7 member and solo artist) and Diljit Dosanjh (Indian singer and actor), join forces on the sultry dance track “Buck,” the third single from Jackson’s highly anticipated upcoming album, Magicman 2. This project is a fusion of styles, with smoldering vocals and lyrics that dare to tread the dark side. The music video is a cinematic thrill ride, showcasing Jackson’s performance and intense choreography, with his English verses meeting Diljit’s bilingual flow in English and Punjabi.