By Honorary Reporter Margherita Petrocelli from Italy

Photo = Cover of "O' Sole Mio" composed by Giovanni Capurro

Everyone who listens to K-pop knows that the genre is not just about Korea but also embraces other cultures, topics and traditions. As an Italian, I never thought I would find so many Korean songs with Italian titles or lyrics. Here are five of them. 

"Mamma Mia" by Kara (2015)
The title, the Italian expression for "Oh my goodness," shares its name with the famous 1970s hit by ABBA and a musical that was later made into a hit movie. The expression, which literally means, "My mama," is mainly used in Southern Italy and can convey a host of emotions like amazement, joy and fear.

The song also mentions the capital of Italy in the lyric "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

 Cover of "O Sole Mio" composed by Giovanni Capurro (1898)

"O Sole Mio" by SF9 (2017)

This song, whose title means "Oh my sun," is an electronic dance music and Latin pop song with lyrics in Italian, English, Spanish and Korean.

The traditional Italian song that inspired this K-pop tune was composed in 1898 by Giovanni Capurro. A global hit for decades, "O Sole Mio" has had renditions done by famous singers such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Luciano Pavarotti.

"Crescendo" by Dongwoon (2018)
This ballad sung by Highlights member Dongwoon has the word "crescendo" (growing or increasing) as its title. In music, the term refers to a gradual increase in sound intensity, and together with its antonym diminuendo, the two techniques are used concomitantly to create a particular effect.

"Tarantallegra" by Junsu (2012)
Performed by JYJ member Junsu, this tune gets its title from a combination of the name "tarantella," a folk dance that originated in Taranto of Italy's Apulia region, and the word "allegra" (happy). The song is about how people should drop their thoughts and get carried away by music.

"Poco a Poco" by Unit G (2018)
This love song is titled "Poco a Poco," which in Italian means "little by little."

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.