Why K-pop Collabs Hit Different
Some tracks are just songs, but collabs? They’re fandom-defining moments. Stray Kids Lose My Breath set the tone for 2025, showing how powerful it is when idols team up with global artists.
Collabs aren’t new, though. Psy & Snoop Dogg Hangover was the chaotic viral anthem that broke the internet back in 2014. And TWICE x Coldplay reminded fans how far K-pop had spread across the globe. Every K-pop collab with a western artist proves idols can cross borders, reach new audiences, and give fans something bigger than a single track.
From nostalgic throwbacks to today’s boundary-breaking partnerships, collabs prove that K-pop knows how to go bigger. And the best part? They come with stages to replay, TikTok trends to join, and official merch that lets fans keep the memory forever.
1. Stray Kids & Charlie Puth - Lose My Breath (2025)
Stray Kids Lose My Breath was locked in as one of 2025’s defining collabs. Teaming up with Charlie Puth gave Stray Kids a chance to show just how far 4th gen idols can go on the global stage. The track blended Stray Kids’ bold energy with Puth’s signature style, creating a song that fans couldn’t stop streaming.
Social feeds lit up with dance covers, TikTok edits, and endless fan reactions. STAYs grabbed albums, traded photocards, and brought official lightsticks to concerts, making it an era worth collecting.
Shop Stray Kids Merch Collection
2. BLACKPINK Rosé & Bruno Mars - APT. (2025)
Rosé’s APT. with Bruno Mars isn’t just a collab. It’s the launch of her solo album with global impact. Their voices blended effortlessly, giving fans a track that felt both soulful and timeless.
The release marked a new era for Rosé, with BLINKs rushing to collect albums, posters, and exclusive photocards tied to the single. It has quickly become one of 2025’s standout collabs and a defining solo moment.
Shop Rosé’s Solo Album “Rosie”
3. Psy & Snoop Dogg - Hangover (2014)
Long before collabs became common, Psy Snoop Dogg Hangover broke the mold. Dropping in 2014, the track’s wild MV pairing shocked both fans and the industry. It became an instant viral sensation, showing the world just how unpredictable K-pop could be.
The outrageous visuals, hilarious randomness, and blend of Psy’s energy with Snoop’s chill made Hangover unforgettable. More than a decade later, fans still share it, while collectors chase Psy albums and retro merch tied to this era.
4. BTS & Halsey - Boy With Luv (2019)
Boy With Luv wasn’t just a BTS comeback; it was a cultural reset. Teaming up with Halsey brought global appeal, leading to record-breaking YouTube views, chart domination, and millions of streams.
Beyond the numbers, the pastel visuals and playful choreography made this one of the most joyful BTS eras. Fans still recreate the dances today, proving the track’s lasting impact. And with multiple album versions and exclusive photocards, this collab turned into a collector’s dream for ARMYs.
5. BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez - Ice Cream (2020)
Summer 2020 got sweeter when BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez dropped Ice Cream. The track’s catchy hook, colorful styling, and playful MV made it one of the most viral collabs of the year, reaching almost 1 billion views by 2025. BLINKs loved how Selena’s vocals blended perfectly with BLACKPINK’s confident energy. Fans snapped up themed albums, merch bundles, and limited drops tied to the release, making it a standout collab era.
Shop BLACKPINK Merch Collection
6. TXT & Anitta - Back For More (2023)
Back For More brought K-pop deeper into the Latin pop scene, with TXT and Anitta delivering a smooth, addictive track in 2023. Built for dance, the song quickly took off on TikTok, sparking global choreo challenges and edits.
MOAs celebrated TXT’s versatility and praised the way the group stood out next to an international superstar. With live stages that wowed fans and official albums and photocards tied to the era, this collab marked TXT’s growing influence worldwide.
7. Lisa, DJ Snake, Ozuna & Megan Thee Stallion - SG (2021)
Few collabs have screamed “global power” like Lisa’s SG with DJ Snake, Ozuna, and Megan Thee Stallion. Mixing EDM, reggaeton, and K-pop in 2021, the track exploded into a club-ready anthem.
The MV trended instantly, with fans praising Lisa’s elegance, star power and choreography. BLINKs rushed to grab solo albums and photocards, turning the collab into a key highlight of Lisa’s solo career.
8. Big Bang & 2NE1 - YG Family Stages (2010s)
The 2010s gave fans unforgettable live mashups when Big Bang and 2NE1 shared the stage at YG Family concerts. These collabs showcased raw talent, charisma, and the kind of chemistry that defined second-gen K-pop.
Stans still talk about those legendary stages, early YouTube clips, and the once-in-a-lifetime feeling of these groups performing together. Collectors continue to chase down DVDs and legacy merch, keeping the nostalgia alive.
9. IU & G-Dragon - Palette (2017)
Not every collab needs to be loud to be iconic. Palette, IU’s 2017 track with G-Dragon, showed the beauty of intimacy in K-pop collabs. Blending IU’s heartfelt vocals with G-Dragon’s smooth rap, the track felt timeless and deeply personal.
Fans connected with its honesty, calling it one of the most soulful collaborations in K-pop. Limited albums and photocards tied to Palette remain highly collectible.
10. HyunA & Dawn - Ping Pong (2021)
Ping Pong flipped expectations when HyunA and Dawn — openly a couple — released it in 2021. Instead of keeping their relationship hidden, they made it the centerpiece of the MV's choreography and styling.
Fans praised the duo for breaking taboos and bringing love into the K-pop spotlight. With bright visuals and bold energy, the collab carved out a space all its own. Collectors snapped up every album version and photocard, making it one of the most personal collab eras to date.
12. Seventeen & Anne-Marie - Better Together (2022)
Warm and sincere, Better Together highlighted Seventeen’s versatility alongside Anne-Marie’s signature pop sound. Released in 2022, it quickly became a fan favorite for its uplifting vibe and smooth blend of styles.
Carats celebrated the collab as a feel-good moment, with albums, photocards, and memorabilia.
Shop Seventeen Merch Collection
12. TWICE & Coldplay - Live Collab (2024)
In 2024, TWICE shared a stage with Coldplay, and the performance felt like a cultural event. Broadcast worldwide, it united two massive fandoms and showcased just how global K-pop had become.
Coldplay’s stadium-ready sound paired with TWICE’s polished vocals created a moment that fans still replay today. Concert DVDs, photo sets, and official TWICE merch tied to the collab sold out fast, cementing its place in K-pop history.
Dream Collabs Fans Still Want
Even with all these legendary pairings, fans can’t stop imagining what’s next. A BTS x Ariana Grande track tops many wishlists, while NewJeans x Billie Eilish feels like the perfect experimental collab. And Aespa x The Weeknd is the dark, futuristic pairing stans can’t stop talking about.
Dream collabs like these may not exist yet, but the excitement of imagining them shows just how much fans love when two worlds collide.
Why Collabs Are Fan Favorites
From Stray Kids Lose My Breath to Psy & Snoop Dogg Hangover and TWICE x Coldplay, these collabs prove how K-pop keeps crossing borders and creating memories.
At Aidol House, we’re here to help you celebrate those eras with albums, photocards, and official merch that keep the moments alive.