Peek Korea

YouTubeJune 7, 2026

This Korean Classic Just Got a Spanish Makeover

Summary

Lara Benito just covered Kim Gwang-seok's "I Loved You" in both Korean and Spanish, and it's hitting people right in the feels. The song's one of those classics every Korean knows by heart, and hearing it switch languages mid-track is making people realize heartbreak sounds the same everywhere. Over 30K people have already watched it, and the comments are full of Koreans saying they didn't expect the Spanish version to wreck them too.

Why it went viral

Kim Gwang-seok's "I Loved You" is one of those songs every Korean knows, the kind that shows up at every노래방 and makes people tear up. Hearing it in Spanish is making people realize the ache in the song isn't tied to the language — it translates. Comments are full of Koreans saying they didn't expect a foreign version to make them emotional too, and that's exactly why it's spreading.

Main Story

Lara Benito, a Spanish singer living in Korea, just dropped a cover of Kim Gwang-seok's "I Loved You" that switches between Korean and Spanish mid-song. She sings the first verse in Korean, then flips to Spanish for the second — same melody, same heartbreak, totally different language. The video's already pulled in over 30K views and people are saying the Spanish version hits just as hard as the original.

Backstory

Kim Gwang-seok is a legendary Korean folk singer who died in 1996, but his songs are still everywhere in Korea. "I Loved You" is one of his most famous tracks — slow, sad, and iconic. If you've never heard the original, this cover's actually a great entry point because the Spanish parts give you emotional context even if you don't speak Korean.

FAQ

Who is Lara Benito?

Lara Benito is a Spanish singer who lives in Korea and runs a YouTube channel where she covers Korean songs in Spanish or bilingual versions. She's known for blending Korean classics with her native language and connecting both cultures through music.

Why is Kim Gwang-seok so famous in Korea?

Kim Gwang-seok is considered one of Korea's greatest folk singers. He's known for raw, emotional ballads that still resonate decades after his death in 1996. His songs like "I Loved You" and "Around Thirty" are karaoke staples and cultural touchstones in Korea.

Where can I watch the cover?

You can watch Lara Benito's bilingual cover of "I Loved You" on her YouTube channel. Just search "Lara Benito Kim Gwang-seok" and it'll come up. The video's getting shared a lot in Korean online communities too.

#kim gwang-seok #korean ballad #spanish cover #viral music #lara benito

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