IU, Suho, BamBam: K-pop's May Birthday Playlist Is Here

May is, by any measure, a remarkable month for K-pop birthdays. From first-generation legends to fifth-generation rising stars, an impressive number of artists were born in May — and KBS Kpop has put together a playlist to celebrate every one of them. The channel's birthday playlist, set to the theme of white spring days, collects some of the most beloved songs from ten artists who share a May birthday, pairing each track with the date that makes it worth celebrating. Here is a look at every artist featured and the songs that define them.

The KBS Kpop birthday playlist format has become a fan-favorite series on the channel, offering a curated listening experience that doubles as a celebration of K-pop's extraordinary depth of talent. This month's lineup spans multiple generations, multiple agencies, and multiple musical styles — a reminder of just how wide the K-pop universe has grown. Whether you are a fan of velvet-voiced soloists or high-energy idol groups, May's roster has something for everyone.

Early May: Celebrating the Trailblazers and New Arrivals

OH MY GIRL's Mimi — May 1st
The playlist opens with OH MY GIRL's Mimi, born on May 1, and the selected track is "Summer Comes" (여름이 들려) — a dreamy, melodic piece that showcases the group's signature ethereal quality. OH MY GIRL debuted in 2015 under WM Entertainment and has built a devoted fanbase over the years through their commitment to a fairy-tale musical identity. Mimi, in addition to her vocal contributions, is one of the group's primary songwriters, having co-written numerous tracks throughout their discography.

GOT7's BamBam — May 2nd
Next up is GOT7's BamBam, born May 2, celebrated with the group's track "PYTHON." BamBam — full name Kunpimook Bhuwakul — is a Thai-born artist who became one of K-pop's most internationally recognized figures through GOT7 before establishing a successful solo career. "PYTHON" showcases the confident, playful energy that has made BamBam a standout performer throughout his career. He has remained one of the most globally followed K-pop artists on social media, with particular popularity across Southeast Asia and South America.

IZNA's Bang Ji-min — May 8th
The playlist then turns to IZNA's Bang Ji-min, born May 8, featured with the group's track "sign." IZNA is one of K-pop's newer girl groups, having emerged from the competitive landscape of recent years with a strong debut and a quickly growing fanbase. "Sign" highlights the group's crisp, polished sound and the clean harmonic blend that has made them one of the acts to watch in the current K-pop generation. Bang Ji-min brings both vocal clarity and a strong performance presence to the group's identity.

tripleS's Mayu — May 12th
tripleS's Mayu, born on May 12, is celebrated with the group's anthem "Girls Never Die" — a propulsive, defiant track that has become something of a signature for the innovative girl group. tripleS operates on a unique model that allows for rotating unit formations, giving it a structure unlike almost any other K-pop group. "Girls Never Die" in particular has resonated widely, capturing the group's fearless energy and their commitment to a sound that feels simultaneously contemporary and timeless.

Mid-May: Icons, Legends, and Rising Stars

KiiiKiii's Jiyu — May 14th
KiiiKiii's Jiyu, born May 14, is represented by the group's song "404" — a track that blends bright production with the kind of confident girl-group energy that has defined the group's early identity. KiiiKiii are part of K-pop's fifth generation of artists, and their debut has been met with considerable interest from fans eager to see how the next wave of talent will shape the landscape. Jiyu's performance charisma has been highlighted consistently as one of the group's strongest assets.

IU — May 16th
The centerpiece of the playlist, by almost any measure, is IU — born on May 16 and celebrated with her beloved track "Lilac" (라일락). IU needs little introduction: she is widely regarded as one of South Korea's greatest pop artists, a songwriter, actress, and vocalist whose output across more than a decade has produced an extraordinary body of work. "Lilac" is the title track of her 2021 mini-album of the same name, a piece she described as a farewell to her twenties — a wistful, gorgeous song that became one of the defining Korean pop tracks of recent years. Including IU at the heart of a May birthday playlist is fitting; she is, in many ways, the heart of contemporary Korean pop music itself.

ZEROBASEONE's Ricky — May 20th
ZEROBASEONE's Ricky, born May 20, is featured with the group's track "ICONIK." ZEROBASEONE debuted in 2023 following the conclusion of the survival program Boys Planet and has since become one of K-pop's most prominent fourth-generation boy groups. Ricky, who was born in Canada and trained internationally before joining the group, brings a global perspective to ZEROBASEONE's already diverse lineup. "ICONIK" captures the energetic, high-concept performance style that has made the group a fan favorite on music show stages across Korea.

Late May: Legends Old and New

EXO's Suho — May 22nd
EXO's Suho, born on May 22, is celebrated with the group's track "Cream Soda" — a smooth, retro-flavored piece from a later chapter of EXO's catalog. Suho, whose real name is Kim Jun-myeon, is the leader and main vocalist of EXO, one of the defining third-generation K-pop groups who debuted under SM Entertainment in 2012. His solo career has also generated considerable attention, particularly for his work in musical theater alongside his music releases. "Cream Soda" is a perfect encapsulation of EXO's ability to navigate multiple sonic registers — polished, warm, and deeply listenable.

Park Ji-hoon — May 29th
Park Ji-hoon, born May 29, is featured with his solo track "Bodyelse" — a sleek, modern piece that represents a later phase of his career as a solo artist. Park Ji-hoon rose to prominence through the Wanna One project following his appearance on Produce 101 Season 2, before establishing a solo career that has demonstrated both musical range and a willingness to experiment with genre. "Bodyelse" showcases a more mature, nuanced side of his artistry, and his continued evolution as a solo act has been closely followed by fans since Wanna One's conclusion.

GFRIEND's Eunha — May 30th
The playlist closes with GFRIEND's Eunha, born May 30, celebrated with the group's track "Night" (밤) — a delicate, emotionally resonant piece from a beloved group that left a significant mark on K-pop's third generation. GFRIEND disbanded in 2021, but their music continues to be listened to and celebrated by fans who grew up with their output. Eunha has since pursued a solo career and activities with the unit SinB&Eunha (with fellow GFRIEND member SinB), keeping her connected to a fanbase that clearly has no intention of moving on from the music that meant so much to them.

The KBS Kpop May birthday playlist is, in miniature, a cross-section of K-pop's remarkable range — first-generation through fifth, soloists and group members, veterans and newcomers. As the channel teases, June birthday celebrations are already being planned, with fans encouraged to suggest artists and songs they would like to hear included. For now, though, May's lineup offers more than enough to fill an afternoon with some of the best K-pop has to offer.