From soulful ballads to feel-good hits, there’s something for everyone
The musical score is often the cherry on top of any movie or TV series as it helps viewers resonate with the emotions on screen. And with every K-drama, there’s always the right background music to set the scene and keep you captivated, many of which are sung by some of the industry’s most popular K-pop idols and singers.
If you’re done binge watching your favourite K-drama, but can’t quite let go of the characters and storylines just yet, here’s a roundup of the best K-drama OSTs for your playlist so you can relive your favourite scenes over and over again.
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OST for My Demon (2023)
Song Kang takes on the role of a demon who finds himself powerless after getting entangled with an icy heiress, played by Kim Yoo-jung, who may hold the key to his heart and lost abilities. Roy Kim’s soothing voice and soul-stirring lyrics add a touch of romance to the fantasy rom-com.
OST for Castaway Diva (2023)
Park Eun-bin not only stars as an aspirational diva who spent the last 15 years being stranded on a remote island in Castaway Diva, but also lends her voice to several tracks for the show. Among them is Someday, an inspiring piece about holding onto dreams and hope even in the darkest of times.
OST for Business Proposal (2022)
Can’t get enough of Shin Ha-ri and Kang Tae-moo’s love story in Business Proposal? Neither can we! After its release on Netflix, the show debuted at number six on the streaming platform’s weekly chart for non-English speaking programmes from in early 2023. Full of adorable lyrics, this song perfectly sums up Ha-ri and Tae-moo’s relationship.
OST for Our Beloved Summer (2021)
High school sweethearts Kook Yeon-soo (played by Kim Da-mi) and Choi Woong (Choi Woo-shik) broke up with a promise never to meet again, but life somehow pulls them back into each other’s lives a decade later. Drawer represents the precious memories that the characters have locked away, and takes us back to the nostalgia of good old school days.
OST for Jirisan (2021)
OST for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha takes viewers out of the busy city life and transports them to the quiet seaside village of Gongjin. Sung by indie R&B singer Car, the garden, this feel-good tune will set the mood as you go on a scenic drive with the windows down.
OST for Itaewon Class (2020)
Itaewon Class follows the story of an ex-con, Park Sae-ro-yi (played by Park Seo-joon), and his friends as they strive to manage a street bar in Seoul’s lively Itaewon neighbourhood against all odds. The theme song is as motivating as the plot. Start Over’s addictive and uplifting chorus echoes Park’s motto of resilience and never giving up.
OST for True Beauty (2020)
Not only does Astro’s Cha Eun-woo star as stoic heartthrob Lee Su-ho in True Beauty, he also sang one of the songs in the show’s official soundtrack. Showing off his crisp and sweet vocals in this track, Eun-woo’s voice will undoubtedly make you melt.
OST for Crash Landing on You (2019)
Crash Landing on You is an epic love story of a South Korean chaebol heiress and a North Korean army captain – it is also famous for bringing its lead actors Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin together in real life. With previous OST hits like Always for Descendants of The Sun and You Are My World for Legend of the Blue Sea, Yoon Mi-rae delivers Flower for this drama series, a mesmerising ballad that beautifully captures the enduring love of everyone’s favourite cross-border couple.
OST for Hotel Del Luna (2019)
OST for My Mister (2018)
This cinematic drama breaks away from the conventional K-drama romantic fantasies, and delves deep into the harsh realities of adulthood. The subtle yet powerful performances of IU and Lee Sun-kyun bring to life the journey of two wounded and lonely souls finding warmth and solace in each other at the rock bottom of their lives. The poignant ballad, Grown Ups, touches your heart with emotionally charged lyrics, reminding you’re not alone in navigating the complexities of adulthood.
OST for Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God was the talk of the town back in 2016, weaving together elements of fantasy, romance, and the supernatural, complete with a captivating storyline and beautiful cinematography. The drama revolves around Kim Shin, played by Gong Yoo, an immortal goblin on a quest for his destined bride Ji Eun-tak, played by Kim Go-eun.
It also has some of the best OST tracks ever, including Stay With Me by Chanyeol and Punch, I Miss You by Soyou, and I Will Go To You Like The First Snow by Ailee, to name a few. But our top pick is Beautiful – the dreamy anthem especially for Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak.
OST for My Love from the Star (2014)
OST for Secret Garden (2010)
OST for Boys Over Flowers (2009)
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