Jaqueline Perez Gamboa 

Yonsei GSIS Newsletter, Chief Editor

Summer playlists are a little different from the playlists we listen to throughout the rest of the year. They're brighter, louder, and somehow always make us want to stay outside a little longer.

As the semester came to an end and summer begins, these are ten songs currently on repeat in my playlist. Some are new discoveries, some are familiar favorites, and some simply capture the feeling of summer better than words can.

Whether you're heading home, traveling somewhere new, or staying in Seoul for the season, I hope you'll find a song to add to your own summer soundtrack.

SEVENTEEN, "Ima - Even if the World Ends Tomorrow"

If summer had an opening track, this would be mine. Bright, uplifting, and full of optimism, "Ima" captures the excitement of stepping into a new season and embracing whatever comes next.

Shakira, " La La La (Brazil 2014)/Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) Medley- El Dorado World Tour Live"

With the World Cup in full swing, this medley has naturally found its way back into my playlist. No matter which team you're cheering for, beyond the competition itself, it is a celebration of community, shared excitement, and the friendships that football creates along the way.

CORTIS, "REDRED"

One of my favorite recent discoveries. Energetic and impossible to ignore, it is the kind of song that immediately makes any playlist more exciting.

YENA, "Catch Catch"

Playful, bright, and packed with energy, this track feels like sunshine in song form. It is impossible not to smile while listening to it.

BOYNEXTDOOR, "ddok ddok ddok"

Some songs quietly make their way into your playlist and then refuse to leave. This has been one of those songs for me throughout June.

SHINee, "Anti Believer"

A reminder that summer playlists do not always have to be loud. This track brings a slightly different mood while still fitting perfectly into late-night drives and evening walks.

BIG Naughty, "10:30 in Front of Crispy"

The perfect soundtrack for warm summer nights. Relaxed and nostalgic, it feels like the kind of song best enjoyed while wandering around the city with no particular destination.

WOODZ, "Who Knows"

A song for anyone standing at the beginning of a new chapter. There is something both comforting and exciting about not knowing exactly what comes next.

PSY feat. SUGA, "That That"

No summer playlist is complete without at least one song that makes you want to get up and dance. Fun, catchy, and impossible to resist, "That That" remains a staple of any feel-good playlist.

I hope you'll discover a new favorite song, revisit an old classic, or perhaps create a playlist of your own. Wherever this season takes you, may it be filled with good music, memorable adventures, and plenty of opportunities to recharge before the next semester begins. 

Happy summer, GSIS!