From 'Echo' to 'Buck': How K-pop and Indian musicians are creating cross-border hits
Indian musicians and K-pop artists are increasingly collaborating through covers, samples, and original tracks, blending their distinct musical styles and showcasing a growing cross-cultural exchange between the two vibrant music industries.
The Korean wave has taken India by storm¡ªwhether it's skincare routines, addictive dramas, or chart-topping music. From salons offering Korean beauty treatments to restaurants serving up Korean-inspired dishes, the K-verse has made a significant impact across the country. So, it was only a matter of time before the two cultures came together through music.
Indian and K-pop artists have increasingly joined forces through a variety of collaborations, from cover songs and musical samples to original tracks that blend their unique styles. These creative partnerships highlight a growing cultural exchange between two dynamic and influential music industries.
Allu Arjun x TRI.BE
The actor teamed up with popular K-pop girl group TRI.BE for a special music advertisement in collaboration with Coca-Cola and Coke Studio India. Titled Memu Aagamu, the video features vocals by Indian singer Armaan Malik and highlights TRI.BE's melodic contributions. Allu Arjun steals the spotlight with his rugged look and smooth dance moves, while TRI.BE shares center stage with their charismatic presence and soothing vocals.
Ashwin Bhaskar x AleXa
Indian artist Ashwin Bhaskar collaborated with K-pop soloist AleXa for a special cover of her track Tattoo, blending their unique musical styles and bridging cultural boundaries. According to Bhaskar, the collaboration offer came directly from ZB Label (ZANYBROS), the agency that manages AleXa and several other K-pop artists.
NCT 127 x Bollywood Influence
The K-pop group's track Favorite (Vampire) features a distinct sample from the iconic Bollywood song Are Re Are from the hit movie Dil To Pagal Hai. By weaving this familiar whistle into their composition, the group highlights the global reach of Indian cinema and pays subtle homage to its musical legacy.
Armaan Malik x Eric Nam
Indian singer Armaan Malik teamed up with Korean-American artist Eric Nam and producer KSHMR in 2021 for the track Echo. This marked Armaan's first global collaboration, making the song a milestone in his career and showcasing a seamless fusion of Indian, Korean, and Western musical influences.
Wengie x Shalmali & Ikka
While Wengie is not a K-pop artist herself, she has collaborated with several K-pop acts and her music carries a strong K-pop influence. Her Collabs Vol. 1 (Int¡¯l Ver.) EP featured a standout Hindi track titled Thing You Want, created in collaboration with Indian singer Shalmali Kholgade and rapper Ikka. The track blends K-pop-inspired production with Bollywood melodies and desi rap elements. Its accompanying music video struck a chord with audiences, amassing nearly 500,000 views within the first 24 hours of release.
Jackson Wang x Diljit Dosanjh
A standout example of Indo-Korean collaboration is Buck, a track that brings together GOT7's Jackson Wang and Indian Punjabi icon Diljit Dosanjh. Blending K-pop, R&B, hip-hop, and Punjabi musical influences, the song highlights the dynamic synergy between the two artists and their distinct cultural styles.
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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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