Heart-Sniping Melodies, A Full Dissection of Trending Drama OSTs: From ‘Queen of Tears’ to ‘Lovely Runner’
OSTs are not just background music. Sometimes they amplify the drama’s emotions, sometimes they strengthen the meaning of a scene, and sometimes they are powerful works of art remembered longer than the drama itself. In recent years, as the popularity of K-dramas has exploded, interest in OSTs has also soared. This is because they have become a core element that enhances the completeness of the work, rather than merely riding on the drama’s popularity. Today, SYNC SEOUL analyzes trending drama OSTs to uncover their charm and hidden stories.
‘Queen of Tears’: A Feast of Emotional Ballads that Stir Memories
‘Queen of Tears’, which concluded with soaring viewership ratings, is a drama that tells the story of the thrilling crises and miraculously rekindled love between Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won), a third-generation chaebol of Queens Group, and Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun), the son of the Yongdu-ri village chief. The OST also delicately followed the drama’s emotional arc, significantly contributing to increasing viewer immersion.
- ‘Hate you’ – 10CM: The lyrics, seemingly representing Baek Hyun-woo’s complex feelings, combined with 10CM’s unique sweet voice, deliver a profound resonance. Especially the high-pitched part in the latter half gives the impression of Baek Hyun-woo’s desperate emotions exploding.
- ‘Way Back’ – Kim Na-young: This song captures Hong Hae-in’s poignant feelings, highlighting Kim Na-young’s powerful vocals. The melody line, in particular, exquisitely blends with the drama’s key scenes, doubling the emotional impact.
- ‘The Reasons’ – Heize: A song where a dreamy atmosphere harmonizes with Heize’s unique vocal color. The lyrics are impressive, seemingly encapsulating both the characters’ anxieties and hopes simultaneously.
The ‘Queen of Tears’ OST not only represented the emotions of each character but also played a crucial role in permeating the entire narrative of the drama, deepening its emotional impact.
‘Lovely Runner’: A Hymn of Love Transcending Time
‘Lovely Runner’, a fantasy romance depicting the story of Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon), a devoted fan who travels back in time to save her favorite idol, Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok), has captivated viewers of various age groups from teens to thirties, creating a syndrome. The OST has also gained immense popularity, riding on the drama’s success.
- ‘Sudden Shower’ – So Soo-bin: This song evokes Ryu Sun-jae’s first love and poignant past, with So Soo-bin’s refreshing vocal tone and lyrical melody harmonizing to stir the listener’s emotions.
- ‘Run Run’ – ECLIPSE: A song by the band ECLIPSE, to which Ryu Sun-jae belongs in the drama, featuring an exciting melody that captures the passion and dreams of youth. It plays a role in heightening the drama’s vibrant atmosphere.
- ‘Star’ – ECLIPSE: A song composed by Ryu Sun-jae, expressing his feelings for Im Sol, featuring beautiful lyrics and a sweet melody. In particular, Ryu Sun-jae’s heartfelt lyrics move viewers to tears.
The ‘Lovely Runner’ OST maximizes the drama’s fantastical elements and romantic atmosphere, drawing viewers deeper into the world of the drama.
OST, Beyond Drama to a Work of Art
Recently, drama OSTs have evolved beyond simple background music to become powerful works of art that amplify the drama’s emotions, strengthen the meaning of scenes, and are remembered longer than the drama itself. We hope that K-drama OSTs will continue to develop, delivering beautiful melodies that captivate the hearts of viewers worldwide.
Which drama OST left the most lasting impression on you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
