The Beatles' Yesterday is said to be almost a 'national pop song' in Korea.

Although it's a bit old, it was ranked as the most favorite pop song by Koreans in a 2005 CBS FM survey.

In fact, The Beatles' Yesterday is characterized by its strangely perfect alignment with Korean emotions. Like an old drama OST, it's a song that anyone has hummed at least once, with a melody that sticks in your ear even if you don't particularly like pop music, and above all, the feeling of "Yesterday was fine, but why has today changed so much" touches a deep place in the hearts of Koreans.

The reason this song has been loved across generations in Korea is therefore much stronger. It's not just because it's a 'masterpiece', but because the moment you hear it, your own Yesterday comes to mind. Nowadays, in webtoons or novels, there are many stories about going back to the past and reshaping things, reflecting the current generation.

Anyway, the fact that this song is included in the BBC's list of the greatest pop songs of the 20th century, and is considered one of the greatest pop songs of all time by MTV and Rolling Stone, shows that it has already received global recognition.

However, in Korea, the emotional intimacy is overwhelming. When this song plays, you instantly become dazed, your heart somehow quiets, and you recall things you've lost throughout your life. Paul McCartney's voice is not flashy. Yet, that simple vocal style perfectly matches Korean tastes. The slightly melancholic tone flowing over the uncomplicated guitar melody naturally integrates into our daily lives.

And looking at the lyrics makes it clearer why this song resonates so much.

Sudden farewells, lost youth, distant people, something that used to be fine but now feels elusive.

These are themes that often appear in Korean popular culture. The way it conveys sadness without exaggeration connects easily with Korean sensibilities. It's not a song that cries out intensely, but rather fits the atmosphere when quietly reminiscing over a cup of tea.

Thus, Yesterday has a unique power that allows each listener to naturally overlay their own stories onto it.

What's particularly amazing is how difficult it is to feel the generational gap. Those over 60 share memories of hearing it often on the radio when they were young, those in their 30s and 40s recall it as the first song they played on guitar during school days, and those in their teens and 20s encounter it naturally through music classes or YouTube, experiencing new emotions.

How many pop songs are there that are loved by everyone across generations?

I've linked one on YouTube, so please give it a listen.