![[Drama Soundtrack Collection] Timeless soundtrack masterpieces that revive the emotion: BGM and main theme](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/o3k-yf5RhlU/sddefault.jpg)
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 Compilation] Masterpieces from soundtracks that rekindle the emotion. BGM and Main Themes (1–10)
Naoki HanzawaTakayuki Hattori
Hanzawa Naoki is a drama depicting the exploits of Naoki Hanzawa, a banker who hates crooked dealings.
Its moralistic storyline—where villains get their comeuppance—became popular, and the final episode achieved a 42.2% viewership rating.
It’s astonishing, as that figure is said to be higher than that year’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Among the elements that left the strongest impression in the series is the piece Theme of Hanzawa Naoki ~Main Title~ composed by Takayuki Hattori.
Since it was used twice in each episode, many viewers likely found themselves able to hum along.
UnnaturalTokuda Masahiro
Unnatural, which became a hot topic with Satomi Ishihara’s powerful performance as the protagonist working at a forensic research institute, captivated many viewers with its intricately crafted story.
What left a strong impression in this series was the main theme—propulsive yet tinged with an unsettling atmosphere.
The composer of this main theme is Masahiro Tokuda, a prolific creator of music for television dramas such as The Grand Family and Invisible.
Be sure to pay attention to how Tokuda’s compositions enhance each drama.
Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko DaimonSawada Kan
What comes to mind when you think of medical dramas? Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon consistently ranks near the top of drama rankings across various media and could be called a quintessential medical drama.
Even if you haven’t seen the show, you’ve probably heard the protagonist Michiko Daimon’s signature catchphrase, which became a buzzword.
The piece used in both the opening and the climax of Doctor-X is Doctor-X Theme, composed by Kan Sawada.
Its grand atmosphere and quick tempo make it great as background music for getting work done.
Emergency Interrogation RoomHayashi Yuuki
Emergency Interrogation Room is a suspense drama in which the protagonist, Yukiko Makabe—played by Yuki Amami—engages in psychological battles with suspects in the interrogation room.
It’s a popular series with sequels and special episodes airing regularly.
Each episode is essentially a self-contained story, with the case resolved every week.
Heightening the climax is the main theme composed by Yuki Hayashi.
He has also worked on many other suspense drama scores, such as BOSS.
If you like suspense, you’ve likely heard Hayashi’s music at least once.
Code BlueSatō Naoki
“Code Blue” is a medical drama depicting the work of doctor helicopters and the flight doctors who ride them.
It also drew attention for how incredibly cool the lead actor, Tomohisa Yamashita, looked.
And we mustn’t forget the presence of the main theme that heightened the drama’s impact.
The main theme, “Code Blue ~the same spirit~,” is that song used in the opening and in key scenes.
The composer of this main theme is Naoki Sato, who also handled the music for the sequel, the 2nd season, as well as the movie version.
My FamilyŌmama Kō
“My Family” is a suspense drama that portrays a family tossed about by a kidnapping case.
Its twist-filled plot invited plenty of fan theories.
The series also featured many musical pieces.
Many viewers may remember tracks like “Cornered on All Sides,” used in tense deduction scenes, and “Family Bonds,” featured in moving moments.
These pieces were composed by Ko Oomama, a composer.
If you watched the show, it’s highly recommended to listen while recalling each scene.
Little Miss Ama (nickname for an apprentice female diver from northern Japan); also the title of a popular Japanese TV drama, “Amachan.”Ōtomo Yoshihide
Many of you may have watched the 2013 NHK morning drama series Amachan, right? This human drama follows Aki, a high school girl living in Iwate Prefecture, who becomes an ama diver and eventually grows into a beloved local idol.
Speaking of Amachan, which brought energy to Japan not long after the earthquake and tsunami, the opening sequence is truly symbolic.
The imagery of Iwate’s landscapes paired with the spirited Aki left a strong impression on many viewers.
The song used in that opening was composed by a giant of the rock world, Yoshihide Otomo.
For this piece, Otomo won the Composer’s Award at the 55th Japan Record Awards.