Korean Drama OST List
Many of the songs I’ve been listening to lately have been Korean Drama original soundtrack. A lot of them are really good and listening to them evokes the emotions I feel when watching the dramas.
If you’re a fan of Korean dramas, then you know that the music can often be just as compelling as the plot. The best Korean drama OSTs are the ones that manage to perfectly capture the feeling of the show, whether it’s the heart-wrenching angst of a painful breakup or the excitement of a first love. Of course, since we’re talking about Kdrama, the first love often ends up as the last love as well!
One of our all-time favorites is “A Whole New World” from the Korean drama series “Boys Over Flowers”. This song perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster that is high school romance, and we can’t help but sing along every time we hear it. Another great Korean drama OST is “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow” from “Goblin”. This haunting ballad is the perfect backdrop to the tragic love story at the center of the show, and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished watching. I think I’ve listened to it at least three dozen times!
Here are some of our favorites, in no particular order:
- Main Theme from “The King: Eternal Monarch”
The drama itself was about 7.5 out of 10 for me. I think Lee Min-ho had better chemistry with the Prime Minister (Jung Eun-chae). They were equally matched in their positions, even their conversations had a certain quality that made you want for more.
2. Start-Up OST — I Know (by Seunghee, Jiho, and Yubin)
If you want to listen to the song with subtitles, head directly here. However, I really like the clip above. The title is fitting: Nam Joo-hyuk really did walk his way into Suzy’s heart in this scene. It is beautiful: the scene, lighting, camera angles. Nam Joo-hyuk’s look transformation from nerd to CEO was delightful to watch. This is one of my favorite KDramas, because it scored A+ in several areas: character development, backstory, and how Suzy chose the right person to be by her side. I also liked that the writers really put time and effort into developing work storyline and the tech/entrepreneurship world. It was high-tech and exciting to watch.
3. The Red Sleeve Main Theme
Can you hear the many musicians playing different musical instruments to create this wonderful OST? It’s so soft and wonderful to listen to. This is the Red Sleeve trailer that used a part of this OST, that was beautifully made. Pay attention that chorus started right when the Crown Prince came into the frame. It was perfection to me.
4. Mr. Sunshine OST: Glory
Mr. Sunshine’s OST is glorious, but this one is the icing on the cake. Could you feel the rush, energy, desperation, and desire in this OST?
5. 100 Days My Prince OST
100 Days My Prince is one of the must-watch sageuk for me. DO’s acting was so wonderful to watch, and the chemistry between Nam Ji-hyun and DO was so cute and endearing. Their relationship and feelings toward each other progressed so well in this drama that you can’t help but root for them. On a side note: Han So-hee was great as the cool and beautiful Crown Princess with a dark secret. She reminded me of the Prime Minister in The King: Eternal Monarch. However, in 100 Days My Prince, DO and Nam Ji-hyun was great as a couple, so there was no question on which woman the Crown Prince should be with in the end.
If you’ve watched enough Kdramas, then you’d know that the soundtrack can often make or break a show. A great OST can add an extra layer of emotion and depth to a drama, while a bad one can be really distracting. Luckily, the bad ones are exceedingly rare, if any. Other classic ones on the list:
- “Beautiful” by Crush — This soulful ballad was the perfect accompaniment to the touching love story in the drama Goblin.
- “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol and Punch — This song perfectly captured the yearning and heartache of the two main characters in Scarlet Heart: Ryeo.
- “A Little Braver” by New Empire — This upbeat track brought some much-needed levity to the intense plot of Descendants of the Sun.
- “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow” by Ailee — This gorgeous ballad was the perfect way to wrap up the epic journey of our favorite characters in Goblin.
- “My Destiny” by Lyn — This classic love song will always be associated with one of the most iconic Korean dramas of all time, My Love from the Star.
