Have you ever experienced one of those nights where you stumble on a particular OST, and sudden nostalgia hits you so hard that you go down the rabbit hole and start streaming all those OSTs that made your heart tremble from excitement? Whether you are new to Korean TV series or an oldie like me, I have written an article for every person on the spectrum. My first Korean TV series was Full House, so making this list was a very personal journey. Of course, all songs listed here are my subjective picks and are not based on their popularity in the music chart.
To listen to the songs, please click on the images. 2003Han Ye Seul - You're different | Kim Ji Hyeon - Onara |  |  |
Let us start with the year 2003, which has given us many classics, and among them is the eternal sageuk Jewel in the Palace. Many people started watching Korean TV series because of this amazing story. Other than the story, the music captured many as well. The famous title song "Onara" has all elements of old Korean music and perfectly transports you back to the past. On the other hand, we have a song from a famous actress, Han Ye Seul, who starred in Nonstop 4. I do feel that this song was particularly popular in this series. |
2004WHY - Fate | Park Hyo Shin - Snow Flower |  |  |
Once again, I have picked two very classic series from Kdramaland, and the soundtrack for them is absolutely iconic as well. We have Full House, which seduced me and made me fall in love with Korean cinematography and culture, and the iconic song ''Fate,'' which I sing to this day. Then, we have the OST from I'm Sorry, I Love You which is, to this day, So Ji Sub's iconic series. When I was in South Korea, I couldn't count how many times people sang the beautiful love song called "Snow Flower'' in karaoke bars. |
2005Clazziquai - She Is | Lim Hyung Joo - I Hope to be Happy |  |  |
In the year 2005, we received another iconic TV series called My Lovely Sam Soon, but I am sure you have heard the song "She Is" at least once in your lifetime because it is often used in Korean variety shows, and honestly, that's how I heard it for the first time as well! The other song, "I Hope to be Happy'' is also from a very popular TV series called Delightful Girl, Choon Hyang, and I praise it for the hint of operatic singing. |
2006Howl - Perhaps love | Insooni - Dear heaven, please |  |  |
It wouldn't be me if I didn't include the song ''Perhaps Love'' from a very famous modern royal TV series called Goong. Once again, this song has been used at variety shows multiple times. Insooni, the great vocalist, brought us, in 2006, a heartwarming love song from sageuk Jumong. |
2007The Melody - Lalala, It's Love! | W&Whale – Moonlight |  |  |
Coffee Prince, the cross-dressing TV series of the century—that's how we can describe this iconic series. It is so popular that I bet anyone knows which TV series it is if they hear the soft ''lalalala'' intro song. Que Sera, Sera also gained incredible popularity, and with it, we got a very badass soundtrack with amazing husky vocals. |
2008Cha Soo Kyung - Can't forgive | Diana - Beethoven Virus |  |  |
I truly doubt there is someone who doesn't know the dramatic song called ''Can't Forgive'' since even young singers sing this song. It is indeed catchy! Even though it is a sad song, you can't help but sing along. It's part of the OST for a long Korean series called Temptation of Wife. Beethoven Virus has an amazing soundtrack because it is a mix of classic music and modern music. I would be a sinner if I didn't mention the iconic intro piece called ''Beethoven Virus''. |
2009SS501 - Because I am Stupid | Park Shin Hye - Without Words |  |  |
I bet all of you waited for this amazing year to come because many became fans of Korean TV series through these two iconic series. The song ''Because I am Stupid'' wouldn't be considered an intro song, but it is heavily present in the series and thus gained a lot of fans. I felt that Boys Over Flowers had many iconic songs, and picking between "Stand by Me" from SHINee, "Paradise" by T-Max, and "Because I am Stupid" was very difficult! On the other hand, "Without Words," sung by the lead actress Park Shin Hye, was a fast pick for me. Whenever someone says the title You're Beautiful, I immediately connect that series with this song. |
2010Lee Seung Gi - Losing My Mind | Kim Bum Soo - Appear |  |  |
I can't even express how in love I am with these two songs from these two series. It got to the point where I would be having shower concerts with these two songs. Let's start with ''Losing My Mind," which is sung by Lee Seung Gi and serves as an OST for the series My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. I had a hard time picking songs for this year, especially from this TV series as two other songs could get on this list. However, I had to stick to only two songs per year. Thus, my final finalist was Losing My Mind, which is a very upbeat pop song. On the other hand, we have ''Appear'', an upbeat song, as well, from a tremendously popular TV series called Secret Garden. And if you are not singing the chorus with me, I am going to give you the looks because, oh dear, it is addictive! |
2011Jung Yong Hwa - You've Fallen for Me | Park Wan Kyu - Oneday Love |  |  |
As we move forward, I have difficulties picking songs because so many amazing soundtrack songs are coming out. In 2011, I included two love songs that are very different. ''You've Fallen for Me'' sung by the lead actor, Jung Yong Hwa, is a very upbeat pop love song from the TV series Heartstrings, which boldly talks about falling in love, while "Oneday Love," the OST for The Princess Man, talks about the heartache with a heartwrenching voice that tugs on your heartstrings. |
2012Lyn - Back in time | Jang Geun Suk - Love rain |  |  |
If you know me, you expected "Back in Time''. If you don't know me, then now you do! I am a huge fan of the series Moon Embracing the Sun, so I just had to pick a beautiful song from it. The soft but also strong voice of Lyn truly gives the listener a clue as to how romantic the series is. The other song is from a series called Love Rain, and I can't describe how much I love it. I know some of you might have expected Jang Geun Suk to be mentioned earlier, but I saved him exactly for this moment. |
2013Yoonmirae - Touch love | Lyn - My destiny |  |  |
This year was once again a very difficult year to pick songs from because so many wonderful series came out in 2013, but as you can see, I tried to pick the most legendary ones. Lyn is back on the list with "My Destiny," which is part of the soundtrack for the insanely popular series My Love from the Star, while Yoonmirae's husky voice sang the OST for the 'hauntingly' romantic series called The Master's Su. If you ever spot me at a karaoke bar, you can be sure that I am going to sing one of these songs. |
2014Michael learns to rock - Eternal love | CHEN - Best luck |  |  |
If you haven't at least once sung ''Oh my love, I'm all yours...'', then we have to change that this instant! The insanely popular English song ''Eternal Love'' is part of the soundtrack for a series called Healer, which belongs to my ''must-watch'' list. On the other hand, "Best Luck'', sung by Chen from EXO, is a beautiful song from a popular series called It's Okay, That's Love. The most beautiful part of the song for me is definitely the chorus, which just resonates with you. |
2015Tiger JK ft. Jinsil - Reset | Davink - Paradise |  |  |
Even though I wasn't a fan of the series Who Are You: School 2015, I can't help but absolutely love this rap song from Tiger JK. It has strength and a beat, which I adore, and whenever I hear it, I bob my head along. On the other hand, "Paradise" is a song from the series Falling for Innocence, which I consider to be a makjang series rather than a romantic comedy. The series is well-loved by my mom, and this song, which could be considered the intro song, is actually my overall favorite song from Davink. |
2016Hwang Chi Yeul - Because I Miss You | Heize - Round and Round |  |  |
The year 2016 was the year Goblin was born, a very popular series that for many was a gateway to Kdramaland, and I cannot blame them. The whole Goblin soundtrack is filled with amazing songs and pieces. For me, other than Ailee's iconic song, the song ''Round and Round'' sung by Heize truly makes me nod my head and say, ''Yes, this is Goblin.'' Additionally, we have another heartbreaking love song sung by the amazing Hwang Chi Yeul, which is the soundtrack to sageuk Love in the Moonlight. This song has two versions, but I feel the male version is much better and more emotional. |
2017Kim Yu Na - Voice | Savina & Drones - Glass Bridge |  |  |
The year 2017 was very fruitful by giving us many Korean series, so I know we might not agree on these songs, but well, these two are my favorites. Since I limited this article to only two songs per year, it was truly hard to pick the songs. Voice is, to this day, a very popular crime series, and I am smitten with Yu Na's voice in the soundtrack for this series. It is haunting, emotional, and mysterious. On the other hand, we have a soundtrack from the series The Bride of Habaek, which was also popular. ''Glass Bridge'' truly makes me feel as if I am floating either on water or clouds as it sounds so heavenly and airy. |
2018O3ohn - Somewhere | Kim Yu Na - Days Without Tears |  |  |
We have two songs that are excerpts from two completely different series, but that is the beauty, I guess. "Somewhere" is a very unique song from the series The Guest that doesn't sound like your typical soundtrack song, and I think that's what makes it so special. Yu Na once again slayed with her slow, heartwrenching love song for a historical series called Mr. Sunshine, which is still very popular but sadly not on my list. Even though the story didn't capture me as a viewer, I have insane respect for the artists that are featured on the tracklist. |
2019Punch - Done for me | Kim Bo Kyeong - You, Like, Me |  |  |
Once again, two very different series in terms of genre. One is a fantasy romance, while the other is a romantic crime series, but both series made me cry—not only with the plot but also with the soundtrack. Punch truly outdid herself with "Done for Me," which is a very powerful love song for Hotel del Luna, while Kim Bo Kyeong sang out the feelings of the main protagonists of Kill It. |
2020Norazo - Bong Hwan A | Gaho - Start |  |  |
Norazo and Gaho are artists that you can bet are going to make a hit. Norazo, a singing duo, has been around for ages, and it makes me happy that singing an OST for Mr. Queen made them even more famous. Their quirky and funny style of music is present throughout their whole career, so if you love "Bong Hwan A," be sure to check out their other songs. Gaho, on the contrary, is a young singer who is in the ''OST world'' and already very famous, but the popularity of Itaewon Class truly made his career skyrocket! |
2021Lee Sun Hee - I'll Leave You | Johnny - I'll Be There |  |  |
Once again, it was very hard to pick only two songs, so these two are my favorites. "I'll be There'' is a very upbeat love song with rock elements, and it is the main song for a popular TV series called To My Star. I listen to it whenever I am working out because it works as a good energy booster. While ''I'll be there'' is an upbeat song, ''I'll Leave You'' is a very emotional love song sung by an amazing singer, Lee Sun Hee, who is known for singing soundtrack songs for very popular TV series. It was also the same case with this song, which was part of the soundtrack for the Korean sageuk The Red Sleeve. |
2022Sunwoojunga - Beyond My Dreams | SURAN - The Whisper of Forest |  |  |
The year 2022 was THE year for Korean TV series, and I feel that two series carried the year: The Glory and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, but that is not the reason why I picked the songs from their soundtrack. I truly like these songs, and they topped my OST chart for the year 2022. Both songs are very different, just like the series for which they were produced. While "Beyond My Dreams" portrays the cute romantic feelings of the "Whale Couple," "The Whisper of Forest" has a very dark aura surrounding the song, which is a perfect fit for the series. |
2023YOARI - True | Kim Han Gyeom - Shining |  |  |
I am ending this article with the year 2023, and I feel it was ruled by the highly anticipated series My Demon, which some people loved while others hated. I not only liked the plot but also the soundtrack, which was heavily dominated by Yoari's "True." The year 2023 was also the year of Twinkling Watermelon, which is a very highly-rated series on MDL and has an amazing soundtrack. Since the plot evolves around music, you can be sure that many songs are bangers, but for this article, I have only picked one, which is "Shining.". |
Finally, I may congratulate you on finishing this insanely long article full of music! Hopefully, you have enjoyed my picks, and believe me, if I could, I would include many other famous songs, but that kind of long article would probably be quickly dismissed. But that doesn't mean that we have to completely end with awesome OST recommendations. If you feel that I have missed some gems, do share them down below in the comment section.
Edited by: Cookie (1st editor) |
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