Korean drama soundtracks (OSTs) have become a global sensation, transcending language barriers and resonating with viewers worldwide. These musical collections enhance storytelling and create unforgettable moments in K-dramas.
The true power of K-drama OSTs lies in their ability to convey emotions through music, capturing everything from romantic moments to heart-wrenching separations. Songs like “Stay With Me” from Goblin and “Always” from Descendants of the Sun have achieved international acclaim, becoming cultural anthems.
In this article, I will rank the top 10 most beloved Korean drama soundtracks based on fan popularity and social media discussions, along with notable mentions that have influenced the K-drama music scene.
Which Is The Best Korean Drama OST?
Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) stands as the undisputed champion of Korean drama soundtracks, consistently ranking first across various social media discussions and fan polls. This 2016 supernatural romance drama created a musical legacy that continues to connect with audiences globally.
The soundtrack features iconic tracks like “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol and Punch, “Beautiful” by Crush, and “I Will Go To You Like The First Snow” by Ailee, each perfectly complementing the drama’s ethereal atmosphere and emotional depth.
Top 10 Korean Drama Soundtracks
Korean drama soundtracks are known for their emotional impact and iconic songs. These OSTs have not only enhanced their respective dramas but have also achieved significant success on music charts.
Here are the most celebrated Korean drama soundtracks that have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.
| Rank | Drama Title | Year | Notable Artists | Iconic Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goblin | 2016 | Chanyeol, Punch, Ailee, Crush | Stay With Me |
| 2 | Hotel del Luna | 2019 | IU, Taeyeon, Punch | All About You |
| 3 | Descendants of the Sun | 2016 | Davichi, Gummy, Chen | Always |
| 4 | Twenty-Five Twenty-One | 2022 | Jaurim, Wonstein | Your Existence |
| 5 | Our Beloved Summer | 2021 | V (BTS), Colde | Christmas Tree |
| 6 | Itaewon Class | 2020 | Ha Hyun-woo, Gaho | Start |
| 7 | Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo | 2016 | Lee Hi, Baekhyun, Davichi | For You |
| 8 | Hospital Playlist | 2020 | Mido and Falasol | Introduce Me a Good Person |
| 9 | Crash Landing on You | 2019 | Yoon Mirae, Davichi | Give You My Heart |
| 10 | It’s Okay to Not Be Okay | 2020 | Sam Kim, Janet Suhh | Breath |
These rankings are based on current fan preferences and may change as new soundtracks continue to come regularly. The assessment draws from extensive social media discussions, streaming numbers, and community feedback across platforms.
Each soundtrack listed in the table has a unique musical journey that deserves individual recognition. In this section, we will gain detailed insights into what makes each collection special.
1. Goblin
The supernatural romance drama’s soundtrack achieved huge success, featuring collaborations between established artists and rising stars. Chanyeol from EXO partnered with Punch to create “Stay With Me,” which became a global sensation and helped establish K-pop’s position among the most popular music genres worldwide.
Ailee’s “I Will Go To You Like The First Snow” perfectly captured the drama’s melancholic beauty, while Crush’s “Beautiful” added contemporary R&B flavors to the collection.
2. Hotel del Luna
IU’s dual role as both lead actress and soundtrack contributor significantly enhanced the musical appeal of this fantasy drama. Recognized as one of the best K-pop vocalists, IU brought her exceptional vocal skills to create memorable tracks that resonated deeply with audiences.
Taeyeon’s “All About You” became an instant classic, showcasing her powerful vocals against hauntingly beautiful melodies.
The soundtrack successfully blended supernatural elements with modern pop sensibilities, creating an otherworldly listening experience that complemented the drama’s unique storyline.
3. Descendants of the Sun
The soundtrack of this military romance drama dominated Asian music charts, with Chen from EXO delivering the emotionally charged “Everytime.” Davichi’s “8282” and Gummy’s “You Are My Everything” became wedding favorites across Korea.
The collection’s perfect balance of ballads and upbeat tracks mirrored the drama’s blend of romance and action sequences.
4. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
The nostalgic coming-of-age drama featured Wonstein’s “Your Existence,” a beautiful ballad that perfectly captured the bittersweet tone and evoked deep feelings of longing.
Jaurim’s contributions added rock elements to the predominantly ballad-heavy collection, creating a different musical scene that appealed to multiple generations of listeners.
5. Our Beloved Summer
V from BTS contributed “Christmas Tree,” which became a global phenomenon and showcased his solo artistry. The soundtrack’s indie-pop influences and mellow acoustic arrangements perfectly complemented the drama’s realistic portrayal of young adult relationships.
Colde’s electronic-influenced tracks added modern touches to the collection’s overall warm and intimate atmosphere. The diverse musical styles featured in this OST reflect how the complete list of music genres continues to expand and influence contemporary entertainment.
6. Itaewon Class
This business revenge drama featured Ha Hyun-woo’s powerful rock vocals in “Start,” which became an anthem of determination and resilience.
Gaho’s “Running” perfectly captured the protagonist’s relentless pursuit of justice. The soundtrack’s diverse genre representation, ranging from rock to R&B, mirrored the drama’s multicultural setting in Itaewon.
7. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
The historical time-travel romance boasted contributions from top-tier artists, including Lee Hi, Baekhyun from EXO, and Davichi. “For You” by Chen and Baekhyun became a duet masterpiece, while Lee Hi’s “Breathe” showcased her soulful interpretation of the drama’s emotional core.
The soundtrack successfully merged traditional Korean musical elements with contemporary production techniques.
8. Hospital Playlist
The medical drama’s soundtrack featured the fictional band Mido and Falasol, formed by the main cast members. Their performances of covers and original songs created an authentic musical experience that extended beyond the screen.
“Introduce Me a Good Person” became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring countless covers and social media trends. The show’s success also highlighted how music training from prestigious music schools around the world influences the quality of performances in Korean entertainment.
9. Crash Landing on You
Yoon Mirae’s “Give You My Heart” delivered powerful vocals that perfectly captured the intensity of the cross-border romance. Davichi’s “Sunset” added their signature harmonies to key emotional moments.
The soundtrack’s blend of Korean and Swiss musical influences reflected the drama’s unique bi-cultural setting and international appeal.
10. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay
Sam Kim’s “Breath” provided a gentle, healing quality that aligned with the drama’s mental health themes. Janet Suhh’s contributions added indie-folk elements that enhanced the show’s artistic and therapeutic atmosphere.
The soundtrack’s carefully curated selection of mellow tracks supported the drama’s focus on emotional healing and personal growth.
Some Notable Korean Drama Soundtracks
Apart from the top ten, numerous other Korean drama soundtracks have won the hearts of audiences with their memorable melodies and emotional depth. Here are a few notable mentions that deserve recognition.
1. While You Were Sleeping
This fantasy legal drama featured Lee Jong-suk and Bae Suzy in a story about prophetic dreams. The soundtrack featured Roy Kim’s “Only Then” and Davichi’s “When I Close My Eyes,” both of which perfectly captured the mysterious and romantic elements of the supernatural storyline.
2. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Supernatural romantic comedy with Park Hyung-sik and Park Bo-young’s chemistry through uplifting musical selections. Seo In-guk’s “Bomtanaba” and Mamamoo’s “You’re the Best” added playful energy that matched the drama’s lighthearted tone and super-strength premise.
3. Start-Up
The entrepreneurship drama featured Red Velvet’s “Future” and Davichi’s “8282,” creating a soundtrack that balanced ambition with romance. The musical selections perfectly complemented the Silicon Valley-inspired setting and the characters’ dreams of technological innovation and business success.
Several tracks from this OST gained massive popularity and became among the most-viewed music videos on YouTube, showcasing the global reach of K-drama soundtracks.
4. Alchemy Of Souls
This fantasy martial arts drama seamlessly incorporates traditional Korean instruments with modern orchestration, creating an epic soundtrack that is worthy of its grand storytelling scope. The music enhanced the magical elements while supporting the complex relationships between characters in the fictional world of Daeho.
5. My Mister
The slice-of-life drama employed a minimalist approach to its soundtrack, featuring carefully selected tracks that underscored the show’s realistic portrayal of adult struggles. The music supported the narrative’s focus on human connection and healing without overwhelming the story’s subtle emotional nuances.
Related Read:
Conclusion: Goblin Is The Fans’ Favourite
Korean drama soundtracks have changed into a powerful cultural force that extends far beyond television screens. The top three contenders- Goblin, Hotel del Luna, and Descendants of the Sun- show how perfectly matched music can take storytelling to extraordinary heights.
These collections have achieved international recognition, with tracks becoming wedding songs, comfort anthems, and cultural bridges across different countries and languages. Notable mentions, such as While You Were Sleeping, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, and My Mister, showcase the diversity and artistic range within the K-drama OST landscape.
Discover your next favorite soundtrack and let Korean drama music become the soundtrack to your own life story.
FAQs
Emotional resonance, strong vocals, and instrumental arrangement that enhance the drama’s mood.
Most are full-length songs chosen for key emotional scenes, released on streaming platforms.
Available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Korean platforms like Melon or Genie.
OST success boosts streams, chart rankings, visibility, and sometimes concert demand.
Mostly in Korean, but some include English lyrics or bilingual versions by featured artists.
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