[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 | An OST that became a huge hit in Korea along with the drama... |
| 2east | I Think I DidYoo Hwe Seung |  play_arrow | A song that sings of aching love, by a popular Korean a… |
| 3east | Way HomeKim Soo Hyun |  play_arrow | The gem-like roses sung by actor Kim Soo-hyun... |
| 4east | Heart Flutter(떨림)dori |  play_arrow | A dreamy s... where the sweet melodies of R&B wrap around your heart |
| 5east | Spring Snow10cm |  play_arrow | A song by 10CM, a popular South Korean artist. … |
| 6east | BeautifulCrush |  play_arrow | “B…” featuring Crash-san’s beautiful singing voice is impressive. |
| 7east | PromiseChoi Yu Ree |  play_arrow | The translucent singing voice and the delicate timbre of the instruments touch the heart... |
| 8east | Reaching for youZEROBASEONE |  play_arrow | 5th-generation K-POP boy group, ZE… |
| 9east | Every Moment Of YouSon Shigyon(SUNG SI KYUNG) |  | Sung Si-kyung’s representative romantic ballad |
| 10east | Stay With MeCHANYEOL, PUNCH |  play_arrow | Aired since 2016 and still cherished as a masterpiece... |
| 11east | 괜찮아 (It’s okay)Jejun (KIM JAE JOONG) |  play_arrow | Sung by Jaejoong, from the drama “Bad Memories …” |
| 12east | With YouWINTER |  play_arrow | With a gentle sensibility that weaves a heartwarming love story... |
| 13east | BeautifulPunch |  play_arrow | For having been in charge of the OSTs for numerous masterpiece dramas… |
| 14east | MeltingCHEEZE |  play_arrow | Park Min... depicts office romance and human relationships. |
| 15east | All I do(그대만 떠올라)Roy Kim |  play_arrow | This is starring the actor Lee Jong Suk, “Ro… |
| 16east | ButterflyJ.UNA |  play_arrow | Han So-hee and Song Kang star in… |
| 17east | Every Day, Every Moment)Paul Kim |  play_arrow | Paul Kim released in 2018… |
| 18east | Lean On MePark Hyung Sik |  play_arrow | Park Hyung-sik’s “Lean On …” |
| 19east | What are weHA SUNG WOON |  play_arrow | The drama “L…” released in September 2024 |
| 20east | It’s youHenry |  play_arrow | The song starts abruptly without even an intro. Bo… |
| 21east | from now onKim Min-seon |  play_arrow | The up-tempo ... that plays during bright moments in dramas |
| 22east | Moonlight Drawn by CloudsGUMMY |  play_arrow | It’s a typical ballad. In the chorus, the woman’s… |
| 23east | When the Day ComesTOMORROW X TOGETHER |  play_arrow | A song that weaves together the bittersweetness and hope of youth |
| 24east | Remember meGUMMY(거미) |  play_arrow | What became a big hit in South Korea in 2019 was Lee Ji-woo… |
| 25east | Say YesLoco, Punch |  play_arrow | A combination of a woman's beautiful singing voice and a man's rap… |
| 26east | Even if I die, it’s you.JIN,V |  play_arrow | The oldest member J of BTS, who are currently extremely popular in South Korea, ... |
| 27east | Love, MaybeMeloMance |  play_arrow | Ahn Hyo-seop, and also as an artist… |
| 28east | 영화 같던 날 (The Day We Met)CHEEZE(치즈) |  play_arrow | When I listen with concentration, somehow, it’s inexplicably… |
| 29east | 우연인 듯 운명 (But it’s Destiny)10cm |  play_arrow | The big hi... that caused a major social phenomenon even in Japan |
| 30east | A little bit moreJINHO (PENTAGON), Rothy |  play_arrow | Introduction to a ballad song from a drama OST |
| 31east | I’ll come pick you up.Standing Egg |  play_arrow | I'll come pick you up. Just like the title, throughout the song many times… |
| 32east | My DestinySEUNGMIN |  play_arrow | It begins with a dreamlike piano resonance, and the strin… |
| 33east | Shape of My HeartSting |  play_arrow | Released by Sting in 1993… |
| 34east | Like A DreamMINNIE |  play_arrow | Minni sings of lost love and reunion |
| 35east | D-DayJunggigo |  play_arrow | The theme song of a 2018 TV drama based on a manga… |
| 36east | On Such a DayWINTER |  play_arrow | My heart is healed by Winter’s new song. |
| 37east | 별, 우리 (Star)서인국 (Seo Inguk), 정소민 (Jung So Min) |  play_arrow | Played with the gentle tone of a classical guitar… |
| 38east | Heavenly Ever After (천국보다 아름다운)Lim Young Woong |  play_arrow | A trot singer who enjoys great popularity in South Korea, … |
| 39east | For youChen, Bekuhyon, Shiumin |  play_arrow | A famous song by three EXO members, and these three have recently… |
| 40east | BoyfriendYEONJUN |  play_arrow | The popular South Korean group TOMORROW X … |
| 41east | 아로하 (Aloha)조정석 (CHO JUNG SEOK) |  play_arrow | The enormously popular “Hospital Playlist,” which became a huge hit along with the drama… |
| 42east | Because I only see youKim Na Young |  play_arrow | The theme song of a smash-hit drama broadcast in 2018. |
| 43east | Because it’s you.Tifanii |  play_arrow | This song is by Tiffany from Girls' Generation… |
| 44east | All with youTeyon |  play_arrow | In a song by Taeyeon, the vocalist of Girls’ Generation, Taeyeon... |
| 45east | Last ChanceSo Soo Bin |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter from South Korea, Seo Su... |
| 46east | Let us just loveA Pink |  play_arrow | The “apink” that comes at the beginning of this song… |
| 47east | Spring days passJO YURI |  play_arrow | The up-and-coming talent attracting attention through Cho Yuri’s solo activities... |
| 48east | Brave김종완(of NELL) |  play_arrow | Theme song of the drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' |
| 49east | She IsLEE MU JIN, SOLE |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter from South Korea, Lee Mu... |
| 50east | 고백 (ft. 시진)신비 SinB (여자친구 GFRIEND) |  play_arrow | A singer with a cute voice that really suited the drama... |
| 51east | 그 밤 (The Night)Eric Nam |  play_arrow | This is the OST of 'Boyfriend.'… |
| 52east | Changmin (2AM)Moment |  play_arrow | A song with heartrending vocals and heartrending lyrics. The dynamics of the voice are dra… |
| 53east | Something In The RainRachael Yamagata |  play_arrow | This is from “Something in the Rain” (Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food)… |
| 54east | 다시 난, 여기 (Here I Am Again)Yerin Baek |  play_arrow | The hit drama that sparked a social phenomenon, “Crash Landing on Lo… |
| 55east | I love you, I rememberI.O.I |  play_arrow | I.O, who often sings up-tempo songs... |
| 56east | You&IKim Jong Wan (NELL) |  play_arrow | This song, which begins with English lyrics, conveys the gentle... of a man. |
| 57east | StarlightTAEIL |  play_arrow | Surrounded by a cleansing, refreshing feeling, ‘St…’ |
| 58east | FOREVERD.O |  play_arrow | D.O.’s ballad song, drama OST |
| 59east | Start OverGaho |  play_arrow | Of course, Korean drama fans—and beyond that... |
| 60east | We’re AlreadyKIMMUSEUM |  play_arrow | The drama “Waka…” starring Han So-hee |
| 61east | Midnight Walk (밤 산책)IU |  play_arrow | A drama OST where IU’s delicate vocals seep into the stillness of the night |
| 62east | Surfing in the MoonlightTXT(TOMORROW X TOGETHER) |  play_arrow | Set against the stillness of a night bathed in moonlight, be… |
| 63east | i’m sayingI Hongi |  play_arrow | Among OSTs, the one by FT Island is famo… |
| 64east | You fell in love with me.Yonfa |  play_arrow | A cold, arrogant “me” that’s different from the real Yonghwa… |
| 65east | 안녕Paul Kim |  play_arrow | Listening with a lean, uncluttered acoustic sound… |
| 66east | Sunny DayANYUJIN (IVE) |  play_arrow | An Yujin joins the drama OST |
| 67east | DreamBolbbalgan4 |  play_arrow | The long intro ends, and a woman’s voice starts to sing... |
| 68east | Beautiful SundayDaniel Boone |  play_arrow | D…, a British pop musician, |
| 69east | God’s move (a divine move)Yan Yosopu |  play_arrow | This song is by BEAST’s Yang Yoseop.… |
| 70east | promiseA.N.JELL |  play_arrow | Based on actor Jang Keun-suk’s cool voice, be... |
| 71east | Cherry Blossom Love SongCHEN |  play_arrow | D.O. from the boy group EXO stars... |
| 72east | Someday, Somehow (Feat.Hodge)U-mb5 |  play_arrow | It’s a legal drama starring Kim Myung-soo. |
| 73east | Marry YouBruno Mars |  play_arrow | In 2011 by Bruno Mars… |
| 74east | You, upon whom the stars pour downDICKPUNKS |  play_arrow | This song starts off with lively lyrics from the very beginning... |
| 75east | in the nane of loveKEN |  play_arrow | In the drama, this song plays when the protagonist looks really cool… |
| 76east | It Has To Be YouABOUT |  play_arrow | The drama’s theme is a family who stakes their lives on the entrance exam wars… |
| 77east | Because of youBEAST |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad from a drama OST |
| 78east | 사는게 다 (Life goes like that)YOYOMI |  play_arrow | For those looking for heartwarming songs from drama OSTs… |
| 79east | Signs of LoveINFINITE F |  play_arrow | This song is by the younger-line members of INFINITE… |
| 80east | Yes, try smiling.M Signal |  play_arrow | You like me, right? ...the university’s 100th anniversary... |
| 81east | MemoriesBabylon |  play_arrow | A legal drama starring Lee Joon‑gi. Ordinary… |
| 82east | Beautiful MomentK.will |  play_arrow | An insert song from a romance drama starring Lee Min-ki.… |
| 83east | Heavenly fateLEE CHANGSUB |  play_arrow | Lee from the popular Korean idol group BTOB… |
| 84east | The WayOmuji |  play_arrow | This song is by Gfriend’s Umji, and sho… |
| 85east | Just StayHyolyn |  play_arrow | Starring Shin Hye-sung and the younger-type actor Yang Se-jong... |
| 86east | Fire GazingKyoung Seo |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter from South Korea, Kyon… |
| 87east | FutureRed Velvet |  play_arrow | Songs that played during memorable scenes leave a strong impression... |
| 88east | Love is like rainchangun soku |  play_arrow | Actor Jang Keun-suk and Girls’ Generation… |
| 89east | Christmas TreeV |  play_arrow | Starring Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi, the mee... |
| 90east | smoothlyI he in |  play_arrow | In a word, this song is a cute one. |
| 91east | EverytimeChen & Punch |  play_arrow | EXO’s vocalist Chen harmonizing with a female voice… |
| 92east | Not OverGaho |  play_arrow | A romance set in the imperial family—something that doesn’t exist in modern Korea. |
| 93east | Be the OneJeff Bernat |  play_arrow | Jeff Bernat is a Filipino-A... |
| 94east | Who’ll Stop The RainCreedence Clearwater Revival |  play_arrow | Creedence Clearwater… |
| 95east | Ship and The GlobeKae Sun |  play_arrow | Kwaku, who performs under the name Kae Sun, … |
| 96east | You Are My DestinyPaul Anka |  play_arrow | Canadian-American singer-songwri… |
| 97east | ForeverStratovarius |  play_arrow | Stratovarius, in 1984… |
| 98east | (They Long To Be) Close To YouCarpenters |  play_arrow | Burt Bacharach and Hal D… |
| 99east | One DayKim Min Seung |  play_arrow | An action film starring So Ji-sub, the sidelong-glance killer… |
| 100east | Wake UpThe Arcade Fire |  play_arrow | By Arcade Fire in 2004… |
| 101east | The Look In Your EyesWONHEE |  play_arrow | WONHEE moved by ILLIT's debut song |
| 102east | 21CHAERYEONG (ITZY) |  play_arrow | Chaeryeong’s first OST, a youth-themed song |
| 103east | HeroFamily of The Year |  play_arrow | An American indie rock band... |
| 104east | CLAIRGilbert O’Sullivan |  play_arrow | An Irish singer-songwriter who... |
| 105east | A RaceGo Younjung, Shin Sia, Kang Youseok, Han Yeji |  play_arrow | An emotional rock ballad performed by four actors |
| 106east | A Little GirlOH HYUK |  play_arrow | Originally a South Korean singer-songwriter... |
| 107east | SummerLIZ (IVE) |  play_arrow | IVE Liz's solo OST, a love that transcends time |
| 108east | StarOnestar |  play_arrow | Sehun from EXO, Cho Junyoung... |
| 109east | Crazy In LoveBeyonce ft. Jay Z |  play_arrow | Collaboration by Beyonce and Jay-Z… |
| 110east | I want to see you so badly it drives me crazy.Teyon |  play_arrow | In a song by Taeyeon, the vocalist of Girls’ Generation, King’s… |
| 111east | LOVELyn, HanHae |  play_arrow | A romantic drama depicting love between an AI and a human. “Love is… |
| 112east | 쿵쿵쿵（Thumping）Kimu Minsun |  play_arrow | She Was Pretty, which aired in 2015… |
| 113east | Leave it all behindWonstein |  play_arrow | A rapper and singer-songwriter from South Korea... |
| 114east | Don’t run awayMotte |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that sings of the anxieties and hopes of love |
| 115east | GOLucy |  play_arrow | OST song for Gangster High School Return |
| 116east | Somewhere in This UniverseSEUNGKWAN |  play_arrow | Seungkwan, who has delivered numerous unique songs… |
| 117east | HeartIU |  play_arrow | Lee Ji-eun, who performs under the name IU, ... |
| 118east | April Come She WillSimon&Garfunkel |  play_arrow | By Simon & Garfunkel... |
| 119east | Happy HappySong Bo-Ram |  play_arrow | “Happy Ha…” sung by Son Boram |
| 120east | Passionate to meYounha |  play_arrow | Younha is a Korean artist who has been active since 2004… |
| 121east | Dream HighIU, Kim Soo Hyun,Taecyeon, Eunjung, Suzy, Wooyoung |  play_arrow | The 2011 school drama “Dolly…” was broadcast. |
| 122east | Waikiki WonderlandUlala Session |  play_arrow | Set in a guesthouse, the love and dreams of six men and women... |
| 123east | 첫눈이 온다구요이정석 |  play_arrow | Lee Jong Suk's song draws renewed attention in a drama |
| 124east | Don’t you know (모르시나요)Davichi |  play_arrow | Davichi’s heartrending love-ballad |
| 125east | Eternal LoveMichael Learns to Rock |  play_arrow | Michael Learns to Rock is, 19… |
| 126east | Don’t ForgetBaek Ji Young, Jang Ji Eun |  play_arrow | A romantic suspense starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-hee... |
| 127east | A Little BraverNew Empire |  play_arrow | New Empire has been active since 2005, from 2… |
| 128east | stand by meSHINee |  play_arrow | The re… of SHINee, who are hugely popular in both Japan and South Korea |
| 129east | San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)Scott McKenzie |  play_arrow | The Mamas & the Papa… |
| 130east | Ode To My FamilyThe Cranberries |  play_arrow | By The Cranberries 1… |
| 131east | LET IT BE METhe Everly Brothers |  play_arrow | Originally in 1955, Gilbert Be… |
| 132east | Cross My MindTwin Forks |  play_arrow | Twin Forks was formed in 2011 in Flo… |
| 133east | When You Hold Me TightYael Meyer |  play_arrow | Yael Meyer has been acti... since 2000 |
| 134east | DON’T TRUST ME3OH!3 |  play_arrow | Formed in Boulder, Colorado in 2004… |
| 135east | AlienArco |  play_arrow | Arco is a British ... active since 1998. |
| 136east | Careless WhisperGeorge Michael |  play_arrow | By George Michael in 19… |
| 137east | Annie’s SongJohn Denver |  play_arrow | ...in 1974 by John Denver |
| 138east | Bang BangNancy Sinatra |  play_arrow | Originally by Cher, in 1966, re... |
| 139east | From the beginning until now (from the beginning to the present)Ryu |  play_arrow | The drama “Winter…” that sparked a social phenomenon even in Japan |
| 140east | Ring My BellSuzy |  play_arrow | This is Kim Woo-bin and m… from a 2016 broadcast |
| 141east | What IfPLAVE |  play_arrow | The South Korean virtual boy group PLAV… |
| 142east | When Night falls (긴 밤이 오면)Eddy Kim (에디킴) |  play_arrow | This is miss … which was broadcast in 2017 |