The Main Players Who Led the Drama OST Craze in the First Half of 2024: Melodies That Captivate Ears
As the popularity of K-dramas rises, so does the interest in OSTs that amplify the emotional impact of the dramas. In the first half of this year, amidst a flood of dramas, we carefully select and introduce the OSTs that captivated viewers’ ears and deepened the lingering impression of the dramas.
The Epitome of Romance: ‘Queen of Tears’ OST
tvN drama ‘Queen of Tears’ captivated viewers’ hearts with Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won’s perfect acting ensemble, beautiful cinematography, and emotionally stimulating OSTs. In particular, the songs that delicately expressed the protagonists’ poignant emotions further enhanced immersion in the drama.
Key OST Tracks
- ‘Sorry, Hate You, Love You’ (Crush): This song stands out with lyrics that seem to represent Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun)’s complex feelings and Crush’s unique sweet voice. It appeared at crucial moments in the drama, maximizing the emotional tension.
- ‘Last Chance’ (BEN): An impressive ballad featuring BEN’s mournful voice, capturing Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won)’s pain and love. Its delicate emotional expression and powerful vocals deepen the drama’s emotional impact.
The Tension of a Thriller: ‘Hide’ OST
Coupang Play drama ‘Hide’, a mystery thriller starring Lee Bo-young, stood out with its unpredictable plot and tension-heightening OSTs. The dark and dreamlike songs effectively conveyed the drama’s suspense.
Key OST Tracks
- ‘Silence’ (Sunwoojunga): This song, with Sunwoojunga’s unique vocal color and dreamlike atmosphere, further heightens the drama’s mysterious vibe. The melody, which evokes both unease and tension, is particularly striking.
- ‘Echo’ (various artists): The scores used throughout the drama effectively created tension and contributed to increased immersion.
The Flutter of Fantasy Romance: ‘Lovely Runner’ OST
tvN drama ‘Lovely Runner’ gained immense popularity with its intriguing time-slip premise, the chemistry between its actors, and OSTs that brought the drama’s atmosphere to life. In particular, songs capturing the fresh excitement of first love stimulated viewers’ emotions and drove the drama’s popularity.
Key OST Tracks
- ‘Sudden Shower’ (Lim Young-woong): Lim Young-woong’s ‘Sudden Shower’, which conveys Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok)’s poignant feelings, garnered attention even before the drama’s release. The lyrical melody combined with Lim Young-woong’s emotional voice deepens the drama’s impact.
- ‘Run Run’ (various artists): The songs by the in-drama band ECLIPSE further highlighted the drama’s refreshing atmosphere and resonated with younger viewers.
Conclusion
Drama OSTs are more than just background music; they are crucial elements that amplify a drama’s emotions and leave a lasting impression on viewers. In the first half of this year, the introduced drama OSTs successfully captured the essence of each drama, delighting viewers’ ears. We look forward to even richer and more diverse OSTs emerging alongside K-dramas in the future.
