[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)
StarlightTAEIL
Starlight wraps you in a refreshing purity.
It’s an OST from the 2022 buzzworthy human drama Twenty-Five, Twenty-One, starring Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk.
The song is performed by Taeil, the main vocalist of NCT.
Singing about how precious people and the days spent together shine, the track resonates with warm lyrics that feel as if someone is watching over you.
Since the drama is set in 1998, the song carries a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere.
The setting’s worldview and the music have both been well received, letting you feel a high degree of purity and the charm of youth.
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!
고백 (ft. 시진)신비 SinB (여자친구 GFRIEND)
A singer with a very cute voice that really suits the drama is singing cute lyrics.
The lyrics are about a girl confessing her feelings, and since the first and second verses are similar with the same words appearing repeatedly, even though the song is in Korean it’s easy to remember.
The male rap that comes in partway through is also a nice accent, making it an easy song to listen to.
All with youTeyon
In this song by Girls’ Generation’s vocalist Taeyeon, not only is Taeyeon an excellent singer, but her clear voice suits the drama perfectly and enhances it.
In the chorus, you can hear Taeyeon’s beautiful high notes, and you can enjoy a ballad that’s different from the usual Girls’ Generation songs.
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.
Last ChanceSo Soo Bin
This is a ballad released in April 2024 by Korean singer-songwriter So Soo Bin.
It was featured on the soundtrack of the drama “Queen of Tears.” The song portrays the feelings of someone who has experienced a breakup, conveying a poignant, aching love.
Its appeal lies in So Soo Bin’s emotionally rich vocals and the song’s profound melody.
Nostalgia for a lost love and a desperate wish for one last chance are sung in a way that grips the heart.
You can feel the desire to close the distance with a loved one and to live on in that person’s heart.
As a piece that enhances the drama’s most moving scenes, it deepens the story’s world.
Highly recommended for those who want to feel the bittersweetness of love.
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.