7 K-pop songs that use pets as musical muses
Taeyeon and her dog Zero / Captured from Zero's Instagram
Pets aren’t just companions. In K-pop world, they are now used as vivid symbols of comfort, loyalty and even shifting power dynamics in love. Through playful metaphors and heartfelt confessions, K-pop artists use animals to explore emotions that range from solace to devotion. Here are seven standout tracks that bring pets into the K-pop conversation in creative ways.
1. “Pet” by 10cm
This gentle indie-pop track flips the usual perspective, stepping inside the quiet world of a pet waiting at home for its owner.
The lyrics paint intimate, everyday scenes — a dog perched by the door, ears twitching at each sound, tail wagging at the faintest hope of a return. Lines like “I’m waiting for you, all day long” distill a devotion so constant it feels almost invisible. Free of melodrama, the song lingers on repetition, small joys and longing, inviting listeners to feel the stillness of a pet’s routine and recognize how much its life revolves around us.
2. “Your Dog Loves You” by Colde (feat. Crush)
Colde, who owns a dog named Samna, wrote this track entirely from his pet’s point of view.
A dog “singing” to its human is instantly disarming, and the lyrics overflow with unconditional loyalty and warmth: “Even if you’re tired, even if you’re sad, I’m always here for you.” Rather than dramatize the bond, Colde frames it as steady and judgment-free — a rare kind of love in a world of conditions. By shifting the perspective, the song becomes a quiet act of comfort, mirroring the feeling of coming home to a wagging tail after a long day.
3. “To the Moon” by Taeyeon
While on the surface the song feels like a dreamy escape anthem, it’s actually a dedication to Taeyeon’s beloved dog Zero.
The lyrics describe a desire to “fly to the moon” when life feels heavy — metaphorically taking a mental break with the one companion who never judges. Lines such as “Let’s leave everything behind, just you and me” suggest that Zero isn’t just a pet but a confidant who gives her courage to reset emotionally.
The airy beats mirror the sense of weightlessness she longs for, and Taeyeon’s detached yet tender vocal delivery evokes the quiet comfort of curling up next to a pet after a hard day. It’s a subtle but profound portrayal of how animals can ground us when we want to drift away.
4. “Cat” by Sunwoo Jung-a (feat. IU)
This playful track embodies a cat’s point of view with a jazzy, bouncy rhythm that instantly conjures a feline tiptoeing across a windowsill.
Lyrics like “I only come when I want to / Don’t try to hold me” capture the quintessential cat personality — independent, mysterious, yet irresistibly charming. Even the melody mirrors a cat’s unpredictable movements, alternating between soft, purr-like verses and springy, claw-sharp hooks. Instead of chasing cuteness, it celebrates the unapologetic individuality of cats — a perspective rarely heard in K-pop.
5. “To You” by SEVENTEEN
The synth-driven “To You” off K-pop powerhouse Seventeen’s 2021 album “Attacca” has always been a fan favorite, with many wishing that the group would keep it in concert setlists forever.
In an interview with music magazine Consequence, Woozi, the group’s producer, revealed the sentimental meaning behind one of the lyrics. “To you who always will welcome me when I open the door,” was inspired by his own pet. “‘You’ can be your family, pets or whoever that can be your strength,” Woozi shared.
The question of whether or not Woozi had a pet has always been a mystery within the group’s fandom, as the member was very keen on keeping his private life out of the spotlight. It was only recently that Woozi admitted that he was the owner of two cats, fondly calling them “family members.” He also recently revealed a tattoo dedicated to one of them who unfortunately passed away.
6. “Tonight” by Jin of BTS
Jin of BTS already has two hit self-written solo albums under his belt, but his first official self-composed release was “Tonight,” which he dropped on Soundcloud in 2019. The singer broke records immediately, earning a million streams in 30 minutes.
The global superstar penned the heartfelt ballad in honor of his pets, Janggu, a longtime family Maltese, and Eomuk and Odeng, a pair of sugar gliders, who passed away years before. “When I close my eyes / I feel like I will think of only the happy memories again,” Jin sings over a somber guitar, as he recalled moments with his pets.
The singer’s pets were known to many fans as part of the extended BTS family, as Jin posted and introduced his animal companions on social media.
(Bonus: V, also a member of BTS, used his own beloved Pomeranian, Yeontan, who also has sadly passed away, as the album art of his first solo album, “Layover” (2023). There’s even merchandise inspired by the beloved dog!)
7. “Little Star” by Hyunjin of Stray Kids
In 2020, Hyunjin of Stray Kids dropped his self-written song “Little Star,” which he dedicated to one of his pet dogs. “I wrote the lyrics with the hope that my letter would reach one of those beautiful stars,” Hyunjin said in a note when he released the song, recalling memories of his beloved pet Komi, who unfortunately passed away.
The song starts off as a sentimental letter, as Hyunjin gets vulnerable and honest about what he wished he could tell his Komi: “I hope my voice reaches to that star / No matter how much I scream / You have no idea how beautiful you were.”
Through the years, Hyunjin introduced his pet Kkami, Komi’s sibling, to fans, even including him in his holiday vlog series. As a group, Stray Kids also earned the nickname “PetRacha,” with many members owning different pets.