Soundtracks to Enhance
So I'll start with saying that I don't usually pay much attention to the soundtracks of dramas. However, I do notice two things when it comes to soundtracks; 1) When they are jarring and make me cringe, and 2) When the songs are integrated so well that it enhances my enjoyment of the show. So, since I like to celebrate the good in things, I decided to make a list of drama's with soundtracks that I really liked.
Please note, the official songs tend to have spoilers in their MVs. I go back and forth on which one I use... I usually try to check them for big spoilers though.
Other Favs Lists
Favorite Actors ... Favorite Actresses
Favorite Actors/Actresses (who are also singers) ... Favorite Child Actors/Actresses ... Directors and Writers To Watch For
Favorite Dramas ... Favorite Movies
Favorite Couples ... Notable Bromances
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1. Goblin
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Somebody help, I am in love. Each song is so beautiful on it's own, and I love listening to them, but the way they are used in the show only went to boost both the show, and the music itself. When the characters are sad or not able to go to their loved one, songs like "And I'm Here" sung by Kim Kyung Hee and "I Miss You" sung by Sooyou play with "And I'm here, just like I used to be" or "I'll be here, here for you" and "I miss you, miss you... I love you, love you~" and while this would normally pull me away from the story unfolding in front of me, it instead, with a cool, lower voice, expresses the character's thoughts and longing.
And that is just one example, this is used many times through out the show. When things are calm, a calmer music is played, when the goblin is around, a almost mysterious and interesting sound is played ("Who Are You" sung by Sam Kim), etc. etc..
For me, this show was an example of how soundtracks should work. I don't like music just being a background thing, but in a show, I also don't want it to take away from though show. This way allowed both to shine beautifully. -
2. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
Ok... this show has made another list before I actually finished it... >.>
ANYWAY, I love almost every song in this drama (or at least every song out so far >.<). While I'm not always the biggest fan of them all in the drama itself (at times, some of the songs pull me out of the show instead of adding to it. I think that mostly has to do with the high notes of some of the songs and how they registered out of the speakers to and to my ears... That being said, some of them do also add a lot to the beauty in the scenes as well anyway, each song is absolutely beautiful and calming on it's own.
(Also, the inclusion of Greensleeves. <3 'Tis a really pretty music box Eugene.)
Having finished now I can say, yes, this OST is just really really beautiful. From the title song to the very last song. (Spoilers in the videos, but you can just listen and feel the emotions in the songs.) These two songs are probably going to stay with me and remind me of the show for a long time.
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3. Bulgasal: Suflete nemuritoare
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
I cannot get enough of this drama's soundtrack
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4. Inspectoarea Koo
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
Inspector Koo's soundtrack is absolutely spectacular and really sets the mood for the drama. Certain songs, like "Surf" - INNI popping up with it's dissonant beginning echoing the darkness and her divergent way of seeing the world of K, instantly lets the viewer know something 'bout to go down.
Then we have "Up" - Hajin which was an instant hit with me, causing me to sing along every single time it came up. I don't even need to explain the instant feelings this song bring.
And that's not all, while these are my favorite, there are numerous songs from TRPP such as "Limbo" not to mention the Opening Song, "Liars (I Feel Alive)" and the Ending Song, "Yeah (Round and Round)" which also will play throughout the drama creating a coherence and a strong associated sound to the show. -
5. A Tale of the Wanderers
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
The list for the OST
I am a sucker for the sounds of Traditional instruments in songs, especially given in costume/historical contexts. it just makes more sense, and brings you to the setting of the drama that much better. Word of Honor's OST is stock full of this. As well as just really pretty to listen to songs.We've got the intro and the ending songs, the latter of which includes the main lead actors as the singers which I thought was a nice touch. Not to mention, I learned that I really like Zhang Zhe Han's voice >.<. But pretty a lot of the songs have a pretty chill atmosphere to them, and are just really nice to listen to... I may or may not have played a lot of the songs from that list multiple times lol
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6. My Fellow Citizens!
Korean Drama - 2019, 36 episodes
This is the the first one where the songs aren't necessarily pretty to listen to, but you will be laughing at just the moments the show wants you to.
The moment you hear Hyungdong & Daejune's "Yadannatdaya" you know the characters have dropped themselves into some really ridiculous trouble with repeated "This is crazy" "This is a mess" sung by the two. As well as "My life is in a dilemma, this is my fate," basically summing up the entire show >.<
Not to mention, Kim Chang Wan's "Haorio" being played anytime a character decides to step up and face the ridiculousness that has approached them. I mean, "if [they] don't do it, who can?" The song is also just as fun Hyungdong & Daejun's and the combination of the two (as well as the actor's faces at the situations) are sure to keep you laughing. Not to mention, both perfectly depict our main con man who these songs are basically his theme song.
I've only shown the first two, but the show also has other OST song's that are also great, but these two are one of the first you hear and they fit the show very well.
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7. Hospital Playlist
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
Hospital Playlist, and Hospital Playlist 2 have a strong amount of covered songs due to the nature of the show.
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8. Țara Mea: O Nouă Eră
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Something I find important when watching historical drama is that the music should match what where talking about or feel right (though obviously with modern twists) for the time, as well as offer the viewers another way to interact and understand what is happening in the show/movie. My Country's OST does a fabulous job of that. It's instrumental score being something an absolute wonder and fantastic. However it's singer's don't fall short themselves. While definitely more modern in sound, the amount of emotion the singers have added to their songs, really pull us in. One of my personal favorites being Kim Jae Hee's "Wild Road", however there are more lovely songs within the drama as well.
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9. The Guardians
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
So many songs in dramas are really sad and about missing your love, or is very soothing and soft, so as to not take too much from the show itself, it tries to be nondescript, or sometimes it's too in your face and is almost cringy. However, "Amen" sung by Damiano (ft. Jenyer) is none of these. In fact, every time I heard "Close your eyes, it's time for the payback!" I knew something big was about to go down, and the song successfully got my attention and heightened my excitement so much. Also, seeing how the drama is about working together in a team to get long waited justice for those wronged, the song fits amazingly.
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10. Arang and the Magistrate
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
While I can't say that I liked the soundtrack for Arang and the Magistrate that much, I did like how it was used. Especially when "Mask Dance" sung by MC Sniper was used. Each time Lee Joong Ki was in a battle, this song was played to deliver a sense for urgency and speed, as well as intensity, to the fights. While I would not have thought I would like to hear this kind of music in a historical show, I think that in this case it actually fit, perhaps due to the type of show it is, or how it is used in the show, or perhaps both, to me it actually fit.
There is also another song I think I should mention; and while I was not a fan of it in and of itself personally as it was nothing special to me, I did like how it was a song that provided the feeling of something eerie happening, and as Arang and the Magistrate deals with ghosts and reapers and the like, I found this fitting.
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11. O Odisee Coreeană
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
I am 100 % biased here. Nu'est was one of 2 first groups that got me into kpop... And I love Nu'est W's song for this show so... >.>
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12. When the Devil Calls Your Name
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes