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Some of the most iconic Kpop songs originate from Korean drama OST albums. The reason is simple: they’re often written specifically with the story and mood of the drama in mind, thereby elevating the emotional connection of the song. The most common type of Korean drama OST songs is ballad — the heart-wrenching kind made for dramatic scenes and relationship woes. We’ve picked 10 of the most touching OST ballads from dramas that finished airing last year to take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Tei — 눈이 하는 말 (What My Eyes Say)

This mid-tempo ballad sung by Tei’s husky voice makes for a classic Korean Drama OST — rueful melody with overflowing pent up emotions. It conveys the hero’s agony of not being able to confess his feelings for the one he loves due to his hidden identity. And when timed with scenes of him longingly looking at his love in the drama, it’s the ultimate recipe for making you cry.

Hyde, Jekyll, Me

Baek Ji Young — Because of You

The queen of Korean drama OST, Baek Ji Young, strikes again in Hyde, Jekyll, Me with a melodic and tender slow tempo ballad number that is a proclamation of love — “the reason I live (love) is because of you”. What an appropriate expression from a character that’s been a shut-in for his whole life towards his only salvation — our heroine.

Jang Jae In + Nashow — 환청 (Auditory Hallucination)

The dreamy piano intro, intense rap, and haunting vocals add up to an incredibly distinctive song that immediately captured my attention and interest. The anguish felt within the rap is a perfect manifestation of the main character’s frustration at his lack of control of his multiple personalities, while Jang Jae In’s whimsical voice represents his salvation through our heroine.

Sojin (Girl’s Day) + Zico (Block B) — 아프다 (Sick)

Gentle piano and light acoustic guitar instrumentals set the tone for this mid-tempo groovy yet bluesy hip hop ballad. Between Zico’s agony-filled rap and Sojin’s soulful vocals, we hear the dialogue between a man and a woman who’re going through a painful breakup even though they still have feelings for each other.

Orange Marmalade

Lily M — I’m Afraid

I’m Afraid is an alternative rock ballad with a hint of neo-soul. The simpleness and cleanliness of the track allows Lily M’s flavorful voice to shine through and convey our heroine’s conflicting emotions of being afraid to approach the one she loves, worrying that it’s not meant to be.

Beast — Without You

Beast uses a strikingly catchy and romantic mid-tempo pop ballad to help our frigid vampire hero, who cares about nothing but revenge, to convey his deepest love towards our heroine — “like a dream, like a painting, you make me live again”. The boys’ soft and wistful vocal harmonies blend perfectly with the fantastical piano and guitar sounds to make one heartfelt confession.

Shine or Go Crazy

Song Ji Eun (Secret) — 보고 싶은 사람 (The Person I Miss)

Here is a mellow and winding mid-tempo acoustic guitar ballad that portrays a young lady’s wistful daydreaming about the person that she misses so dearly. The song is a tad bittersweet, a tad wishful, but also contains hope and determination to never let go.

Spy

Mamamoo — 내 눈 속엔 너 (My Everything)

This is a powerful R&B ballad with a lot of belting vocals and layers of harmonies to bring out the strong desire of professing the deep love towards one’s “destiny”. Mamamoo does a great job of conveying deep emotions coupled with dramatic scenes from the drama to move any listener’s heart.

The One — 사랑하는 그대에게 (To My Love)

Heavy and theatrical piano chords open this earnest confession song symbolizing the loving promise that our troubled heroine is making to our hero, who freed her from the dark abyss of her confinement. Ballad king The One uses his powerful and touching voice to deliver the emotional depth of this devout commitment.

Gayoon(4Minute) + Yong Joon Hyung (Beast) — 악몽 (Nightmare)

The sound of rain, beeping medical device, and winding violin riffs build a dramatic intro to this beautifully bleak hip hop ballad fusion number. Joon Hyung’s calm rap backed by soft piano chords is the perfect complement to Gayoon’s sentimental vocals representing our heroine’s plea to wake her up from this unbearable nightmare.

What’s your favorite Kdrama OST song from last year? Let us know in the comments section below. For the OST songs on the sweeter side, read part 2.











16.9K Shares

16.9K Shares











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