The Rise of 'Forbidden Songs' During Exam Season: How K-Pop and Memes Are Distracting Students

As the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) in South Korea approaches, a meme created by French choreographer Kani has become a sensation. Known as the 'Forbidden Song' meme, it features catchy rhymes and choreography that have captivated audiences, paralleling the history of K-Pop itself.

In the evolution of K-Pop, songs with addictive choruses that gain massive popularity each year are often labeled as 'Forbidden Songs.' These tracks are notorious for getting stuck in students' heads, distracting them from focusing on their exams. Over time, the concept of 'Forbidden Songs' has become a meme, widely consumed by both students and the general public. YouTubers compile annual lists of these songs, sharing their thoughts and videos.

In the early 2010s, SHINee's 'Ring Ding Dong' and SS501's 'U R Man' dominated the scene. Released in 2009, 'Ring Ding Dong' features the phrase 'Ring Ding Dong' repeated twelve times in the chorus, with a melody that lingers in listeners' minds.

'U R Man' is known for its endlessly repeatable chorus, with the same melody repeated four times in each chorus, appearing three times throughout the song. This results in a total of 48 bars of the same melody, making it hard to forget once heard.

Last month, YouTuber Yoo Byung-jae ranked 'U R Man' as the top 'Forbidden Song' in his CSAT Olympics. He commented, "It lingers in your mind like a ghost. It's been nearly 20 years, yet it never leaves your memory."

In the late 2010s, 'PICK ME' from PRODUCE 101 (2015) and Rain's 'Gang' (2017) became iconic 'Forbidden Songs.' 'PICK ME' is similar to 'Ring Ding Dong,' with the phrase 'PICK ME' repeated 24 times in the chorus, following a repetitive melody.

'Gang' gained popularity as a meme, with its old-school synth lead, repetitive 'Hundred Dollar Bills' lyrics, and Rain's unique choreography contributing to its viral success.

In the 2020s, 'Gang' was joined by meme-driven tracks like SEIB's 'Maratanghuru.' Last year, BLACKPINK's Rosé's 'APT.' gained global popularity, earning its place as a 'Forbidden Song.'

This year marks the first time a meme, rather than a song, has become a 'Forbidden Song.' Kani's playful Korean phrases were transformed into music, sparking a challenge. The lyrics, "Smooth, smooth. Flat, flat. Bumpy, bumpy," paired with matching choreography, became widely popular.

YouTuber 'Happy Pizza Bread' created a track using Kani's voice, leading to a challenge. Famous artists like SHINee's Key, LE SSERAFIM's Huh Yunjin and Kim Chaewon, TWICE's Jeongyeon, Momo, Jihyo, and TOURS' Youngjae, Kyungmin, and Shinyu participated. The track was used over 6,600 times on TikTok within just eight days.

Fans reacted to Kani's 'Smooth' with comments like, "How could they release this a week before the CSAT?" and "It's been added to the 'Forbidden Songs' list," while others noted the addictive pronunciation of "Flat, flat" and admitted, "I'm singing it too. The song never ends."

By Min-Kyung Lee, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr