[Korean Drama OSTs] Classic Popular Songs That Color the Story: Best Masterpieces
A considerable amount of time has passed since Korean dramas first made their way to Japan.
Starting with the spread sparked by Winter Sonata in 2003, and further propelled by the K-POP boom, people have grown more familiar with K-Culture!
Nowadays, it seems to be loved by many people regardless of gender or generation.
Korean dramas, whose popularity keeps rising, produce countless masterpieces every year!
In this article, we’ve researched a wide range of OSTs—from relatively new tracks to popular classics and timeless favorites—covering theme songs and insert songs from Korean dramas.
We hope you’ll look back on fond memories and discover some wonderful OSTs.
- [Exquisite Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads
- [Drama Theme Songs] Over 800 Million Plays! A Curated Selection of Unforgettable Classics
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
- Cute K-pop and Korean songs: heartwarming, energizing, and heart-throbbing tunes
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Powerful vocals and beautiful voices! Ranking of Davichi’s popular songs
- K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance
- [Drama Soundtrack Collection] Timeless soundtrack masterpieces that revive the emotion: BGM and main theme
- Nothing but famous and hit songs! K-pop tracks recommended for Gen Z
- Popular K-pop and Korean songs that brighten up YouTube Shorts
- [2000–2009] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas!
- [2026] A roundup of popular theme and opening songs from TV period dramas
[Korean Drama OST] Classic popular songs that color the story, Best Masterpieces (101–110)
The Look In Your EyesWONHEE
Wonhee skillfully navigates clear, bright highs and gentle lows.
She debuted in March 2024 as a member of the girl group ILLIT, and with this song she also makes her first attempt at a drama OST for “Spring of the Four Seasons: Our Season of Love.” Warm strings layer over a calm piano melody as her translucent voice weaves the story.
Carefully expressing the feeling of gazing at one’s love reflected in their eyes, this piece pairs beautifully with the drama’s moving scenes.
Wrapped in a spring-breeze softness, it’s a lovely ballad that tenderly embraces the ache of unrequited love.
21CHAERYEONG (ITZY)
An OST for the drama “Suspicious Girl” sung by ITZY’s Chaeryeong.
It features a bright, energetic sound themed around youth and freedom.
The song embraces the reflection in the mirror and celebrates the charm and potential of being 21.
Released in December 2024, this marks Chaeryeong’s first OST appearance.
It links perfectly with the drama’s story of a protagonist who becomes younger and relives their youth, further enhancing the show’s world.
It’s the perfect track for anyone who wants to cherish their true self!
HeroFamily of The Year
A track released in 2012 by the American indie rock band Family of the Year.
It became a hit in the United States, Canada, and various European countries.
It has been featured in many forms of media, including the film “Thanks for Sharing” and the Korean TV drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love.”
CLAIRGilbert O’Sullivan
A track released in 1972 by Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan.
It is said to be “one of the love songs with the most tragic ending.” It was a hit around the world, reaching No.
1 on the charts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
The track was used in the Korean TV drama The Legend of the Blue Sea.
A RaceGo Younjung, Shin Sia, Kang Youseok, Han Yeji
An emotional rock ballad born from a collaboration of four performers whose main profession is acting.
Go Youn-jung is a skilled actress known for Sweet Home and Moving; Shin Si-a is a rising star who made her lead debut in the film The Witch: Part 2.
The Other One; Kang You-seok is an actor active in works like Light on Me; and Han Ye-ji is another promising actress.
This song blends powerful guitar with delicate piano, highlighted by harmonies where each of the four voices overlaps beautifully.
Released in May 2025 as the 10th OST track for the tvN medical drama Resident Playbook: Someday, it portrays the strength and hope to sprint through the race of life.
It’s a track that will resonate with anyone striving to overcome hardships and move forward!
A Little GirlOH HYUK
The track was originally produced by the South Korean singer-songwriter Lee Moon-se.
This version is by Oh Hyuk, the frontman of the indie band Hyukoh formed in 2014 in Korea, and it was used in the South Korean TV drama Reply 1988, which aired from 2015 to 2016.
SummerLIZ (IVE)
An insert song for the drama “Love on a Single-Log Bridge,” sung by IVE’s Liz as her first solo OST.
It begins with gentle piano tones, and Liz’s clear, transparent vocals sink deep into the heart.
The lyrics, depicting a love that remains unchanged across time, perfectly match the drama’s worldview.
Released on December 15, 2024, this work showcases her appeal not only as a member of IVE but also as a solo artist.
It’s a recommended track for those nursing a bittersweet love or looking to reflect on memories with someone precious.
StarOnestar
A medium-tempo ballad chosen for the OST of the romance drama “All That We Loved,” starring EXO’s Sehun, Cho Jun-young, and Jang Yeo-bin.
The song is by Onestar (Lim Han-byul), a member of Monday Kiz and also known as a master on the show “Girls Planet 999,” which produced Kep1er.
With lyrics that depict memories, it has a deeply moving atmosphere that evokes a sense of beautiful eternity.
It’s a track that may gently accompany and ease feelings of hardship.
Crazy In LoveBeyonce ft. Jay Z
A collaboration between Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
Released in 2003, it won a Grammy Award.
The music video features Carmit Bachar of the Pussycat Dolls as a backup dancer.
It was used in the Korean TV drama History of a Salaryman.
I want to see you so badly it drives me crazy.Teyon
It’s a song by Girls’ Generation’s vocalist Taeyeon, the theme song for King.
This track often plays toward the end of the drama, and in scenes where the tension rises so much you almost forget to breathe, Taeyeon’s voice comes in to heighten the atmosphere even further, making it all the more gripping.