[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.
Playlist
| [Korean Drama OSTs] Classic Popular Songs That Color the Story: Best Masterpieces | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Sudden ShowerEclipse |  play_arrow | Drama OST, romantic ballad, highly rated. |
| 2east | Heart Flutter(떨림)dori |  play_arrow | Dori’s R&B track delicately expresses the feelings of love |
| 3east | I Think I DidYoo Hwe Seung |  play_arrow | A poignant love song by N.Flying’s vocalist |
| 4north_east | Way HomeKim Soo Hyun |  play_arrow | Kim Soo-hyun’s drama OST gem-like ballad |
| 5south_east | BeautifulCrush |  play_arrow | Crash’s classic song continues to be loved in Goblin. |
| 6south_east | PromiseChoi Yu Ree |  play_arrow | Introduction to Choi YURI’s drama OST songs |
| 7south_east | Spring Snow10cm |  play_arrow | A romance drama OST likened to spring snow |
| 8south_east | Every Moment Of YouSon Shigyon(SUNG SI KYUNG) |  | Sung Si-kyung’s representative romantic ballad |
| 9south_east | Stay With MeCHANYEOL, PUNCH |  play_arrow | Introduction to Goblin OST 'Stay with Me' |
| 10east | Reaching for youZEROBASEONE |  play_arrow | ZEROBASEONE's drama OST depicts reunion and love |
| 11east | Behind The ShineRIIZE |  play_arrow | Rise delivers ethereal vocals on a drama OST |
| 12east | 괜찮아 (It’s okay)Jejun (KIM JAE JOONG) |  play_arrow | Jaejoong’s drama OST cheer song |
| 13east | With YouWINTER |  play_arrow | Winter drama OST Love Ballad |
| 14east | MeltingCHEEZE |  play_arrow | Meteorological Agency drama OST: The Confusion and Sweetness of Love |
| 15east | ButterflyJ.UNA |  play_arrow | The Part 4 OST of the drama “Nevertheless,” |
| 16east | BeautifulPunch |  play_arrow | Punch drama OST, a ballad that sings of gratitude and happiness |
| 17east | All I do(그대만 떠올라)Roy Kim |  play_arrow | Introduction to the OST of Romance Is a Bonus Book |
| 18east | Every Day, Every Moment)Paul Kim |  play_arrow | Paul Kim’s love song is a big hit |
| 19east | Lean On MePark Hyung Sik |  play_arrow | An inspiring anthem that calls for the importance of supporting one another |
| 20east | What are weHA SUNG WOON |  play_arrow | Ha Sung-woon, feelings from childhood friend to lover |
| 21east | It’s youHenry |  play_arrow | It starts with a sweet voice and piano, then builds up |
| 22east | from now onKim Min-seon |  play_arrow | A bright drama song with a high-pitched male vocal |
| 23east | Moonlight Drawn by CloudsGUMMY |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad with female vocals |
| 24east | Remember meGUMMY(거미) |  play_arrow | Hotel del Luna OST heart-wrenching love song |
| 25east | Say YesLoco, Punch |  play_arrow | A sublime fusion of female vocals and rap |
| 26east | When the Day ComesTOMORROW X TOGETHER |  play_arrow | A song that weaves together the bittersweetness and hope of youth |
| 27east | Love, MaybeMeloMance |  play_arrow | The theme song love ballad for in-house matchmaking |
| 28east | Even if I die, it’s you.JIN,V |  play_arrow | BTS, drama theme songs by Jin and V |
| 29east | 영화 같던 날 (The Day We Met)CHEEZE(치즈) |  play_arrow | An unexpected combination of indistinct sounds and piano. |
| 30east | 우연인 듯 운명 (But it’s Destiny)10cm |  play_arrow | The theme song of Crash Landing on You. A love song that expresses a fateful encounter. |
| 31east | My DestinySEUNGMIN |  play_arrow | Seungmin’s drama OST love song |
| 32east | A little bit moreJINHO (PENTAGON), Rothy |  play_arrow | Introduction to a ballad song from a drama OST |
| 33east | Shape of My HeartSting |  play_arrow | Numerous samples from Sting’s 1993 release |
| 34east | BoyfriendYEONJUN |  play_arrow | Yeonjun’s drama OST expresses the beginning of love |
| 35east | I’ll come pick you up.Standing Egg |  play_arrow | I'll come pick you up. Lyrics that are moving and heartrending, and strong vocal performance. |
| 36east | 아로하 (Aloha)조정석 (CHO JUNG SEOK) |  play_arrow | Beloved songs from the Hospital Playlist OST |
| 37north_east | Because I only see youKim Na Young |  play_arrow | A romantic comedy about a beautiful secretary and a handsome heir |
| 38south_east | 별, 우리 (Star)서인국 (Seo Inguk), 정소민 (Jung So Min) |  play_arrow | The loneliness of the guitar’s tone and a duet ballad |
| 39south_east | Like A DreamMINNIE |  play_arrow | Minni sings of lost love and reunion |
| 40east | D-DayJunggigo |  play_arrow | Theme song for a TV drama based on a manga |
| 41east | Heavenly Ever After (천국보다 아름다운)Lim Young Woong |  play_arrow | Im Young-woong’s trot ballad |
| 42east | On Such a DayWINTER |  play_arrow | My heart is healed by Winter’s new song. |
| 43east | StarlightTAEIL |  play_arrow | A warm, nostalgic song for a drama OST, sung by Taeil |
| 44east | Start OverGaho |  play_arrow | The popular theme song of Itaewon Class |
| 45north_east | 고백 (ft. 시진)신비 SinB (여자친구 GFRIEND) |  play_arrow | A Korean song in which a cute-voiced singer expresses a girl's feelings |
| 46north_east | All with youTeyon |  play_arrow | Taeyeon's singing voice suits the drama. |
| 47south_east | DreamBolbbalgan4 |  play_arrow | The theme song of the drama Hwarang, an addictive female vocal |
| 48east | Last ChanceSo Soo Bin |  play_arrow | Seo Subin’s ballad song, Queen of Tears OST |
| 49east | Brave김종완(of NELL) |  play_arrow | Theme song of the drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' |
| 50north_east | You&IKim Jong Wan (NELL) |  play_arrow | Drama OST, the gentle voice matches the cute content. |
| 51south_east | Spring days passJO YURI |  play_arrow | Cho Yuri's solo song sings of spring memories. |
| 52east | For youChen, Bekuhyon, Shiumin |  play_arrow | Three EXO members debut as the CBX unit |
| 53south_east | Surfing in the MoonlightTXT(TOMORROW X TOGETHER) |  play_arrow | On a moonlit night, Taehyun and Hueningkai’s sweet singing voices resound. |
| 54east | i’m sayingI Hongi |  play_arrow | FTISLAND Hongki’s drama OST |
| 55east | Because it’s you.Tifanii |  play_arrow | Love Rain in Tiffany’s wistful voice. |
| 56east | She IsLEE MU JIN, SOLE |  play_arrow | An emotional remake song by Lee Mujin and Seol |
| 57east | We’re AlreadyKIMMUSEUM |  play_arrow | Singing about the growth of feelings of love in a drama’s OST |
| 58east | 안녕Paul Kim |  play_arrow | A flowing piece featuring piano and acoustic guitar |
| 59east | Marry YouBruno Mars |  play_arrow | Bruno Mars’s 2011 song |
| 60east | You fell in love with me.Yonfa |  play_arrow | The drama’s cold Yonghwa sings as the band’s vocalist. |
| 61north_east | 그 밤 (The Night)Eric Nam |  play_arrow | Boyfriend OST, a warm and gentle atmosphere |
| 62north_east | Cherry Blossom Love SongCHEN |  play_arrow | A reunion love story set in the Joseon era |
| 63south_east | I love you, I rememberI.O.I |  play_arrow | I.O.I slow-tempo new song |
| 64north_east | Something In The RainRachael Yamagata |  play_arrow | Drama OST. A romance between a younger boyfriend and an older girlfriend. |
| 65south_east | Let us just loveA Pink |  play_arrow | Apink’s cute, cool, and captivating song |
| 66east | FOREVERD.O |  play_arrow | D.O.’s ballad song, drama OST |
| 67east | Someday, Somehow (Feat.Hodge)U-mb5 |  play_arrow | A romance drama between a rookie judge and an elite judge |
| 68east | promiseA.N.JELL |  play_arrow | The vocal unit of Jang Keun-suk and FT Island |
| 69east | Changmin (2AM)Moment |  play_arrow | The bittersweet lyrics and the dynamics of the voice enhance the drama. |
| 70east | Midnight Walk (밤 산책)IU |  play_arrow | A drama OST where IU’s delicate vocals seep into the stillness of the night |
| 71east | MemoriesBabylon |  play_arrow | Introduction to Lee Joon-gi’s legal drama works |
| 72east | Beautiful SundayDaniel Boone |  play_arrow | Daniel Boone's 1972 worldwide hit song |
| 73east | 다시 난, 여기 (Here I Am Again)Yerin Baek |  play_arrow | Introduction to classic ballads from dramas |
| 74north_east | Yes, try smiling.M Signal |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love song with male-female harmonies |
| 75north_east | God’s move (a divine move)Yan Yosopu |  play_arrow | Insert song by Yang Yoseop of BEAST |
| 76south_east | Sunny DayANYUJIN (IVE) |  play_arrow | An Yujin joins the drama OST |
| 77east | Christmas TreeV |  play_arrow | The V of the theme song for Part 5 of the romance drama |
| 78east | smoothlyI he in |  play_arrow | Love myself whose heart has been dyed by a man |
| 79east | Who’ll Stop The RainCreedence Clearwater Revival |  play_arrow | Woodstock in the Rain |
| 80east | Signs of LoveINFINITE F |  play_arrow | a cute song by Infinite’s younger-line (younger members) |
| 81east | Ship and The GlobeKae Sun |  play_arrow | Canadian singer, used in a Korean drama. |
| 82east | ForeverStratovarius |  play_arrow | Stratovarius power metal |
| 83east | (They Long To Be) Close To YouCarpenters |  play_arrow | Carpenters' classic song used in films and TV dramas |
| 84east | Beautiful MomentK.will |  play_arrow | Lee Min-ki starring, a romance drama where faces can't be distinguished |
| 85east | Just StayHyolyn |  play_arrow | A love story between a woman who fell into a coma at 17 and woke up at 30, and a reclusive young man |
| 86east | FutureRed Velvet |  play_arrow | Red Velvet's drama OST song |
| 87east | You, upon whom the stars pour downDICKPUNKS |  play_arrow | The upbeat song enhances the fun atmosphere. |
| 88east | HeroFamily of The Year |  play_arrow | A 2012 song by Family of the Year. |
| 89east | in the nane of loveKEN |  play_arrow | A cool song that plays during the main character’s scene in a drama |
| 90east | Heavenly fateLEE CHANGSUB |  play_arrow | A heartrending ballad by BTOB’s lead vocalist |
| 91east | Be the OneJeff Bernat |  play_arrow | Filipino singer popular in South Korea |
| 92east | A Little GirlOH HYUK |  play_arrow | Insert song from Reply 1988 |
| 93east | The WayOmuji |  play_arrow | Gfriend, drama theme song |
| 94east | Love is like rainchangun soku |  play_arrow | Expressing the Love Rain theme song through the sounds of rain and heartbeats |
| 95east | 사는게 다 (Life goes like that)YOYOMI |  play_arrow | Drama OST, a warm melodic song |
| 96east | You Are My DestinyPaul Anka |  play_arrow | Paul Anka's 1957 classic |
| 97east | One DayKim Min Seung |  play_arrow | Starring So Ji-sub, a spy struggles with parenting |
| 98east | Wake UpThe Arcade Fire |  play_arrow | Arcade Fire’s 2004 release song |
| 99east | 21CHAERYEONG (ITZY) |  play_arrow | Chaeryeong’s first OST, a youth-themed song |
| 100east | CLAIRGilbert O’Sullivan |  play_arrow | Gilbert O'Sullivan's tragic love song from 1972 |
| 101east | EverytimeChen & Punch |  play_arrow | Gain a sense of reassurance from Chen’s voice |
| 102east | It Has To Be YouABOUT |  play_arrow | A story about a family that stakes their lives on the exam war |
| 103east | Not OverGaho |  play_arrow | Romance and conspiracy suspense in the Imperial Family |
| 104east | Crazy In LoveBeyonce ft. Jay Z |  play_arrow | A collaboration song by Beyoncé and Jay-Z |
| 105east | stand by meSHINee |  play_arrow | A song by two of SHINee’s sweet-voiced members |
| 106east | Dream HighIU, Kim Soo Hyun,Taecyeon, Eunjung, Suzy, Wooyoung |  play_arrow | Star-studded lineup for the Dream High OST |
| 107east | Don’t run awayMotte |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that sings of the anxieties and hopes of love |
| 108east | April Come She WillSimon&Garfunkel |  play_arrow | Signature songs of Simon & Garfunkel |
| 109east | 첫눈이 온다구요이정석 |  play_arrow | Lee Jong Suk's song draws renewed attention in a drama |
| 110east | Fire GazingKyoung Seo |  play_arrow | A ballad where Kyungseo looks back on the past |
| 111east | Because of youBEAST |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad from a drama OST |
| 112east | A RaceGo Younjung, Shin Sia, Kang Youseok, Han Yeji |  play_arrow | An emotional rock ballad performed by four actors |
| 113east | HeartIU |  play_arrow | IU reached No.1 on the Korean charts in 2015 |
| 114east | A Little BraverNew Empire |  play_arrow | New Empire, an Australian rock band |
| 115east | Happy HappySong Bo-Ram |  play_arrow | The theme song of the drama “My Girl.” |
| 116east | I want to see you so badly it drives me crazy.Teyon |  play_arrow | Taeyeon’s main theme that heightens the sense of tension |
| 117east | 쿵쿵쿵（Thumping）Kimu Minsun |  play_arrow | A light, medium-tempo drama OST tune |
| 118east | The Look In Your EyesWONHEE |  play_arrow | WONHEE moved by ILLIT's debut song |
| 119east | GOLucy |  play_arrow | OST song for Gangster High School Return |
| 120east | AlienArco |  play_arrow | Introduction to Arco's band and songs |
| 121east | Eternal LoveMichael Learns to Rock |  play_arrow | Danish pop band wins an award worldwide |
| 122east | Leave it all behindWonstein |  play_arrow | I’m healed by Wonstein’s new song. |
| 123east | From the beginning until now (from the beginning to the present)Ryu |  play_arrow | The theme song of the drama “Winter Sonata” |
| 124east | Ring My BellSuzy |  play_arrow | Introduction to OST songs from dramas starring Kim Woo-bin |
| 125east | StarOnestar |  play_arrow | EXO drama OST song Onestar ballad |
| 126east | Somewhere in This UniverseSEUNGKWAN |  play_arrow | Seungkwan's new song, a drama OST, Searching for Love |
| 127east | Passionate to meYounha |  play_arrow | Younha Korean singer-songwriter |
| 128east | Don’t ForgetBaek Ji Young, Jang Ji Eun |  play_arrow | A soldier and his best friend are in a love triangle over the heroine |
| 129east | What IfPLAVE |  play_arrow | PLAVE expresses a poignant love in a drama OST |
| 130east | Don’t you know (모르시나요)Davichi |  play_arrow | Davichi’s heartrending love-ballad |
| 131east | SummerLIZ (IVE) |  play_arrow | IVE Liz's solo OST, a love that transcends time |
| 132east | San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)Scott McKenzie |  play_arrow | Theme song of the Monterey Pop Festival |
| 133east | Ode To My FamilyThe Cranberries |  play_arrow | An emotional rock song depicting Dolores's inner conflict |
| 134east | LET IT BE METhe Everly Brothers |  play_arrow | The Everly Brothers cover a French song |
| 135east | Cross My MindTwin Forks |  play_arrow | Folk rock band from Florida |
| 136east | When You Hold Me TightYael Meyer |  play_arrow | Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter |
| 137east | DON’T TRUST ME3OH!3 |  play_arrow | Electronic tracks by 3OH!3 |
| 138east | Waikiki WonderlandUlala Session |  play_arrow | Depicting the love and dreams of six people in a guesthouse |
| 139east | LOVELyn, HanHae |  play_arrow | A romance drama between an AI and a human |
| 140east | Careless WhisperGeorge Michael |  play_arrow | George Michael 1984 release song |
| 141east | Annie’s SongJohn Denver |  play_arrow | John Denver's 1974 hit song |
| 142east | Bang BangNancy Sinatra |  play_arrow | Nancy Sinatra's 1966 song |
| 143east | When Night falls (긴 밤이 오면)Eddy Kim (에디킴) |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad from a drama OST |