[Drama Soundtrack Collection] Timeless soundtrack masterpieces that revive the emotion: BGM and main theme
Known by the abbreviation “soundtrack,” or “OST,” these albums are famous for main themes and background music that play an essential role in TV dramas.
They evoke a show’s image—whether it’s music that heightens tense scenes or pieces that deliver powerful emotion.
Wonderful music that stands beside countless classic dramas.
This is a curated list introducing such drama soundtracks!
Focusing on staple drama soundtracks, we’ve also included a few talked-about Korean drama OSTs.
We hope it helps you revisit memories or find tracks you’ve been curious about—and we’re sure it will bring those drama scenes vividly back to life.
Please use this as your companion in searching for soundtracks.
- A catchy tune that sounds familiar
- Theme and insert songs from the long-running Monday 9 p.m. dramas: classic hits from popular series and recommended fan favorites
- Songs that play during moving scenes. A collection of classic tracks that evoke deep emotion.
- [Drama Theme Songs] Over 800 Million Plays! A Curated Selection of Unforgettable Classics
- An exhilarating song
- [2000–2009] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas!
- [Korean Drama OSTs] Classic Popular Songs That Color the Story: Best Masterpieces
- Theme Songs of NHK Taiga Dramas Through the Years: The Allure of Music That Colors Historical Stories
- [120% Empathy] A Collection of Moving Songs [Love, Friendship, Encouragement]
- Theme and insert songs from dramas and films that color the story
- [Theme Song & BGM] Popular Anime Soundtrack Special
- Songs That Bring Back the Shows: Beloved Drama Theme Songs
- [2010–2019] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas
[Drama Soundtrack Collection] Iconic soundtrack pieces that revive the emotion: BGM and main themes (11–20)
Crash Landing on You10cm, Yun Mire, Davichi hoka
Do you usually use Netflix? It’s convenient because you can watch so many titles from both Japan and abroad.
Topping the Netflix rankings in 2020 was the Korean drama Crash Landing on You.
The story follows a South Korean woman who accidentally crash-lands in North Korea and meets the man destined for her.
The show features many insert songs created to match specific scenes—for example, One Day, sung about their separation and love, and Destiny, Like a Coincidence, which captures their first encounter.
Each song is beautiful, so I hope even non-fans will give them a listen at least once!
花郎<ファラン>o junson
端正な顔立ちの俳優や作りこまれたストーリーも韓国ドラマの魅力ですが、もう一つ欠かせないものと言えば素晴らしい音楽。そんな韓国ドラマの音楽制作を数多く手掛けている作曲家がオ・ジュンソンさんです。彼の手掛けた代表作の1つは『花郎<ファラン>』。本作にはパク・ソジュンさんや人気アイドルグループBTSのメンバーVさんが出演しているので、見たことのある方も多いのではないでしょうか。俳優、ストーリー、音楽の三拍子がとにかく洗練されている作品なので、未見の方はぜひチェックしてみてください！
Blue DragonSawano Hiroyuki
It’s a grand piece that combines taut tension with the powerful resolve to face adversity.
Dramatic strings and a heartbeat-like rhythm stir the listener’s emotions.
Composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, a composer who has scored numerous celebrated anime and dramas, it’s famous as the signature track of the drama “Iryu: Team Medical Dragon.” This work is said to have been a major turning point for Sawano, leading to his later success.
It’s perfect for boosting focus when you need to buckle down to study, or for psyching yourself up before tackling a job you absolutely can’t afford to lose.
From the North Countrysadamasashi
From Tokyo to Hokkaido, From the North Country portrays a family living amidst the great outdoors.
It’s also famous for turning Furano, where the series was filmed, into a tourist attraction.
Did you know that the memorable main theme was composed by Masashi Sada? When Sada was asked to create the piece, he hummed an improvised melody—“Ahh—ah ah ah ah—ah”—which was adopted as is and became the finished song.
It’s surprising to think that such an iconic melody was born by chance!
Love Will Continue On ForeverKōno Shin
Speaking of dramas that made hearts flutter across Japan, wouldn’t it be An Incurable Case of Love? This romantic comedy follows a rookie nurse played by Mone Kamishiraishi as she gradually connects with a doctor portrayed by Takeru Satoh.
It’s also fresh in our memories for the massive hit of its theme song, I LOVE…
by Official HIGE DANDism.
Another memorable highlight from An Incurable Case of Love was the main theme composed by Shin Kono.
Performance videos of the piece went viral on YouTube, and it continues to be loved by many.
If you play the piano, why not give it a try?
Dr. Coto’s ClinicYoshimata Ryō
Have you ever found yourself recalling the main theme just by hearing a drama’s title? A quintessential example is Dr.
Coto’s Clinic.
This work is a human drama portraying the interactions between a doctor who comes to the Shikina Island clinic and the islanders.
Its main theme is the song almost everyone has probably heard, “Riding on the Back of a Silver Dragon.” The main theme is the instrumental version of the song of the same name sung by Miyuki Nakajima.
Including this main theme, the music used in the drama was composed by Ryo Yoshimata.
Due to the drama’s enduring popularity, the soundtrack is said to command a premium.
If you happen to find it, be sure to give it a listen.
[Drama Soundtrack Collection] Iconic soundtrack pieces that revive the emotions. BGM and Main Themes (21–30)
DCUKimura Hideaki
The drama DCU starring Hiroshi Abe.
This suspense series portrays the feats of a special investigation unit that handles incidents and accidents occurring around bodies of water.
Its innovative structure, with diving scenes as the main focus, also drew attention.
The show features many memorable tracks, including the main theme and Ring on the water.
All of these pieces were composed by Hideaki Kimura.
Many of the tracks are laid-back, so they’re also recommended as BGM for relaxation time!