B-Sides: K-Drama OSTs Part 3

A perfect OST can increase the impact of a scene in a drama by tenfold, and pairing that perfect song with a remarkable vocalist amplifies the OST further. Whether it is haunting rock tracks or cheesy pop songs with witty lyrics, OSTs are a vital part of the K-Drama watching experience. 

“Nightmare” by Sondia

Popular OST artist Sondia, who grew in popularity after performing original soundtracks for dramas like Extraordinary You and My Mister, returned to the K-Drama scene with the haunting new song “Nightmare.” The track’s rock sound fits the dark and sinister atmosphere of its parent drama, The Devil Judge, starring GOT7’s Jinyoung and actor Jisung. 

“Shadow” by Siyeon & Dami (DREAMCATCHER)

Dreamcatcher’s main vocalist Siyeon and main rapper Dami joined forces for the rock-influenced OST “Shadow” from the action thriller OCN drama Dark Hole, starring Kim Okvin and Lee Joonhyuk. The drama follows a police officer and driver as they navigate the disease-ridden, post-apocalyptic country. The two singers' vocal styles and the sonic arrangement of the song matches the haunting storyline of the drama.

“On Rainy Days (2021)” by HEIZE

Blue Birthday is a romance drama with a very somber premise: a female lead interacting with her lover’s ghost and reliving their time together through photos that were left behind by him. In Yeri of Red Velvet’s debut role, she is paired with PENTAGON’s Hongseok. “On Rainy Days” is a remake by R&B singer HEIZE of the 2011 BEAST song. The new version is a piano ballad that perfectly expresses Yeri’s character’s heartbreak and pain of losing her love. 

“So Not Worth It” by Youngjae

Netflix’s first Korean sitcom So Not Worth It follows the lives of a group of students with different multicultural backgrounds residing at a college dormitory in Seoul as they get into hilarious situations. The drama stars Park Sewan, Shin Hyunseung, GOT7’s Choi Youngjae, Minnie of (G)I-DLE, and Han Hyunmin. Youngjae also performs the title track of the drama with relatable lyrics that describe the tiring but exciting lives of college students and how sometimes it is “so not worth it.”

“SPARK” by A.C.E

A.C.E contributed their bright vocals to Korean BL drama Light On Me. Set in a high school, the story revolves around four students played by actors Lee Saeon, Kang Yooseok, Choe Chanyi, and Go Woojin. “SPARK” is an uptempo pop song with lyrics expressing the lead character Woo Taekyung’s infatuation with the other characters. This heart fluttering track is an adorable love song for an even more adorable drama.