The unpredictable nature of the K-Pop industry means you never quite know which songs or groups will skyrocket to fame next. Amidst the flurry of new releases and debut groups, many good songs get buried. However, some tracks become late bloomers, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide and becoming unexpected viral sensations. Here are seven such songs that took everyone by surprise with their massive success.

1. Bibi “Bam Yang Gang”: You've likely encountered numerous covers of this song. Bibi's “Bam Yang Gang” has taken South Korea by storm, captivating listeners with its light, whimsical vibe that's just perfect for the spring season.

2. Psy “Gangnam Style”: Perhaps the most viral K-Pop song of all time, "Gangnam Style" by Psy had everyone, both domestically and internationally, on their feet, dancing along to the iconic horse dance move. It will always be iconic and became the first video in YouTube history to reach 1 Billion views.

3. EXID “Up & Down”: The viral journey of "Up & Down" is legendary. A fan-captured fancam of Hani performing the song catapulted it to the top of the charts overnight, despite being released years earlier.

4. Wonder Girls “Tell Me”: A cornerstone for viral K-Pop songs, "Tell Me" by Wonder Girls set off a craze of cover dances and videos, especially among fans of the second-generation K-pop.

5. ZICO “Any Song”: ZICO's "Any Song" ignited the TikTok dance challenge craze among K-Pop idols, becoming an unexpectedly viral hit as countless idols and fans alike created and shared their dance videos.

6. Dynamic Duo “Smoke”: With its compelling beats and associated dance challenge, "Smoke" swept through the K-celebrity world, with everyone from BTS to IVE and even comedians joining in, making it a standout viral song in the latter half of 2023.

7. STAYC “ASAP”: "ASAP" by STAYC became an under-the-radar viral sensation, widely used on social media in reels and stories, often by those who didn't even realize it was a K-Pop track, demonstrating its widespread appeal.

These tracks showcase the sometimes unpredictable nature in K-pop, each becoming a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Which of these viral hits surprised you the most?