ТОП пісень з південнокорейських дорам
K-Dramas have gained a huge army of loyal fans far beyond the borders of South Korea. The real reason for this phenomenal popularity is controversial. Some say it’s the emotional depth, while others say it’s the atmospheric atmosphere, great acting, and interesting plots. But both of them recognize the importance of legendary soundtracks that you just can’t stop listening to. We have collected for you the TOP 10 songs from South Korean dramas that take listeners to the world of vivid sensations and allow them to forget about real life troubles for a while.
P.S. I personally have long been somewhat skeptical of K-pop and its exalted fans. But the sincerity and emotionality of the soundtracks of «Guardian: The Lonely and Great God» and «Descendants of the Sun» made me admit my bias. Now the best songs from them are in my favorite playlist. And I hope that they will also be a pleasant and unexpected discovery for some of our readers.
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Dorama: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, 2016
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
Like everyone else fantasy series, the drama «Goblin» immerses us in a wonderful world of ancient legends and magic. And thanks to the incredible soundtrack, it creates a romantic and dreamy atmosphere, culminating in a touching ballad by K-pop band EXO’s Park Chang-young and South Korean singer Punch called «Stay with Me».
The single was released on December 3, 2016 and received a music video that combines scenes with the singers in the studio and selected fragments of the series. The video currently has 524(!) million views, and if we look at YouTube statistics, we have the most popular song from a Korean TV series in our selection and possibly one of the best in general.
If you, like me, like powerful emotions and high notes, pay attention to another track with «Goblin» — «I Will Go to You Like the First Snow» by Korean-born American singer-songwriter Ailee. Her vocal range is truly impressive, and her attractive voice creates a dreamy atmosphere and adds to the song’s charm.
Dorama: Descendants of the Sun, 2016
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
The popular drama «Descendants of the Sun» tells the story of a love that breaks out with unbridled force between a Korean military man and a peacekeeping doctor amidst the flames of war. There are many great songs in the series, but even against this diverse background, the song You Are My Everything by South Korean singer Gummy stands out.
The lyrical and sincere song combines elements of R&B and K-pop music, perfectly enhancing the emotional impact of the show’s dramatic scenes. The fact that it has an instrumental version demonstrates the melody’s ability to speak «speak» without words. The romantic mood emphasizes the touching atmosphere and makes you quickly fall in love with this soundtrack, which many viewers consider the best of all the dramas.
It is said that it can make even a stone shed a tear. That’s why I’m going to deviate from the rule of «one series — one song» and offer you three more songs. This is an impressive hymn to love This Love performed by the female duo Davichi, Always by Yoon Mi-rae and a joke song Talk Love South Korean singer K.Will.
Dorama: Queen of Tears, 2024
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
The romantic comedy «The Queen of Tears» tells the story of a married couple going through a relationship crisis and trying to revive their love. By the way, Ukrainian viewers can watch it on the platform Netflix. The series received the highest rating in the history of the South Korean television network tvN and captivated viewers with its stellar casting, stunning acting performances and amazing Easter eggs.
It also has great songs, such as the emotional ballad «I Love You With All My Heart», which combines a lyrical melody that stays in your memory for a long time, soft, enveloping arrangements, and Crush’s soulful performance.
Dorama: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, 2021
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
It just so happens that most of the tunes we shared above are quite melancholic. So we’re going to make amends and offer you a great boost of positive energy in a cheerful composition by a South Korean artist called Car, the Garden, which is a literal translation into English of the Korean name Cha Jong-won (차정원).
The song Romantic Sunday was included in the soundtrack of one of the fastest-growing Korean dramas of 2021 – «Cha Cha Cha on the Coast». The series tells the story of a dentist who quits her job in a big city and moves to a town on the coast to open her own clinic, go through a series of comic adventures, and find love unexpectedly.
Dorama: Dan, Hanaui Sarang
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
Winter has long been raging in the heart of young ballerina Lee Yeon-seo. But everything changes when the car she is traveling in falls into the river. The fate of the girl is decided by the intervention of her personal assistant named Kim Dan, who, despite the strict prohibition to interfere in earthly affairs, unfolds his angelic wings and jumps after the car to save his beloved. And the composition of the South Korean artist O.WHEN makes this moment touching and unforgettable.
Dorama: Hotel Del Luna, 2019
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
The fantasy drama «Hotel del Luna» tells the story of a hotel where ghosts with unfinished business from their past lives stay. The song «Can You See My Heart?» became the musical theme of the love between the main characters, hotel owner Zhang Manwol and General Gu Jong-man. Every time it is played, all the romantic and bittersweet moments that keep the audience glued to the screen come to mind.
Dorama: Crash Landing on You, 2019
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
The composition «And Here I Am Again» is a drama about an unexpected romance between the heiress of wealthy South Korean industrialists and a captain of the Korean People’s Army. It became possible as a result of an accident when the woman’s paraglider landed in the North Korean part of the demilitarized zone. On the way to happiness, the characters face hundreds of obstacles, which the audience will experience in the ups and downs of Yerin Baek’s song, along with a broken heart and desperate hope for the victory of love.
Dorama: Uncontrollably Fond, 2016
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
Viewers can hear the song «Say Goodbye» in the finale of the first episode of the drama «Unstoppable in Love». It begins when the mega K-pop star Shin Chun Young and the simple journalist No Il finally get honest with each other. Before that, despite hints of a shared past, they pretended to meet for the first time.
In the end, Xing can’t take it anymore and exclaims: «Didn’t you recognize me?» To which Il replies: «I recognized you, you bastard!». And the emotional tension of Say Goodbye hangs in the air as the shocked viewers try to organize their thoughts and realize the implications of this information for the further development of the plot.
Dorama: «My ajossi» (My Mister, 2018)
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
The psychological drama My Mister breaks away from the usual romantic fantasies of K-dramas and delves into the harsh realities of adulthood. The series’ protagonists are two lonely souls who overcome pain and loneliness to find warmth and solace in each other to the accompaniment of the poignant ballad Grown Ups («Adults») by Sondia.
Dorama: «Itevon class» (Itaewon Keullasseu, 2020)
Where to listen: YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
The cheerful composition by the famous South Korean soundtrack artist Gaho became the main melody of the drama «Itaewon Class». The show’s protagonist, a former prisoner, starts a new life with his friends and fights against a powerful rival to realize his dream of opening his own restaurant.
The inspiring song Start makes the viewer feel that they, like the characters in the series, are capable of achieving any goal. It has made Gaho a rising star and has topped various music charts, including the first prize for soundtrack at the «2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards».