[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.
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[Korean Drama OST] Classic popular songs that color the story: Best Masterpieces (41–50)
Start OverGaho
It’s a hit song from Itaewon Class that’s beloved not only by K-drama fans but by a wide audience beyond that.
Some people might even know the song without having seen the show.
It also made waves when THE BEAT GARDEN performed a Japanese-language cover for the Japanese remake, Roppongi Class.
Crafted by singer-songwriter Gaho, this dramatic track conveys a sense that something big is about to begin right from the intro, aligning with the suspenseful twists and expansive scale of the story’s world.
Its uplifting sound and lyrics about facing forward with determination are truly encouraging!
아로하 (Aloha)조정석 (CHO JUNG SEOK)
This is the OST from Hospital Playlist, which became a huge hit along with the drama.
In 2020, the year when drama OSTs were especially popular, this song ranked third on the Melon year-end chart.
You’ll be drawn to its beautiful melody line, reminiscent of Anzen Chitai and connected to Japanese music.
It’s a love song with lyrics like “You are my everything,” conveying Korea’s uniquely direct expressions of love in a straightforward way.
Listening to this track will surely deepen your love for someone special.
It’s a wonderful masterpiece, both as an OST and as a timeless love song.
She IsLEE MU JIN, SOLE
An emotional remake from South Korean singer-songwriter Lee Mujin in collaboration with SOL.
Released in September 2024, the track has drawn attention as part of the soundtrack for the drama “My Name Is Kim Sam-soon 2024.” Lee Mujin’s powerful vocals blend beautifully with SOL’s gentle voice, delicately portraying the shifting feelings brought about by love.
The song captures a closed heart opening up, and a once-cold self growing warm, all conveyed through a beautiful melodic line that resonates deeply.
Give it a listen when you want to feel the bond with someone special.
DreamBolbbalgan4
After the long intro ends, a woman’s vocal comes in.
Her voice is unusual—not particularly high or low—and it’s the kind of tone that grows on you.
This song is the theme for the drama Hwarang, and it plays during the show’s most exciting scenes, boosting the drama even more.
Let us just loveA Pink
The “Apink” chant at the beginning of this song is super cute, and it’s such an upbeat track that it makes you want to start dancing.
Apink usually has a lot of cute songs, but this one also shows their cool side, and it suits the drama where it’s used as the theme song really well.
Brave김종완(of NELL)
It was featured in Part 1 of the courtroom human drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which became a massive hit in 2022.
The hitmaker Noh Young-sim, who also worked on other parts, wrote and composed the song, and Kim Jong-wan of the rock band NELL performs it.
Along with the appeal of an individual, it also feels like it sings about the important things you come to realize while spending time together.
It gently resonates as if speaking for the feelings of Woo Young-woo’s colleagues, drawing you in with its deeply expressive vocals.
Midnight Walk (밤 산책)IU
This song is striking for its depiction of deep nocturnal scenery and delicate emotional nuance.
The voice of popular singer-songwriter IU resonates as if seeping into the stillness of the night.
Set to a gentle piano melody, it carefully portrays the feeling of walking alone through the late-night streets while immersing oneself in past memories.
Released in March 2025 as part of the OST for the Korean drama “Good Job Today,” it is a heartwarming ballad that accompanies the life story of a girl and a boy set on Jeju Island.
It’s a song I highly recommend for sleepless nights or quiet moments when you’re thinking of someone dear—it will rest gently against your heart.