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South Korean drama series enjoy a widespread popularity throughout Asia as well as globally. The tumultuous and occasionally strange storylines intrigue viewers, not to mention the complex love triangles, comedy and usually great-looking casts.
Soundtracks for these dramas also often enjoy a popularity all of their own, successfully tugging at our heartstrings and getting firmly stuck in our heads. It is common to have drama OSTs taking up space on our mp3 players soon after watching a particular series. They have a unique ability to bring back all the emotions the show made you experience while watching. We have compiled our own selection for this month's playlist, do your favourites feature?
1. Lyn - 'You Are My Destiny' (You Who Came From The Stars)
'You Who Came From The Stars' is one of the most popular K-drama series in recent years. It caused a quite a frenzy during its run from December 2013-February 2014, with the main actors Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun gaining even more popularity than they already had before. The series also enjoyed huge success in China especially, with one woman driven to attempting suicide because her husband was nothing like the male protagonist. This song is one that fans were undoubtedly singing long after the last episode's credits rolled. Lyn's beautiful vocals really pull you in and make you emotionally invested in this unique love story between an alien and a human.
2. T-Max - 'Almost Paradise' (Boys Over Flowers)
Come on, you can't resist singing along to this one, can you? What a great song! This is from another massively successful K-drama that was based on the Japanese manga entitled 'Hana Yori Dango'. A Japanese and Taiwanese version of the story have also been made into live-action dramas, but I bet many K-drama fans would argue that this version is the best. Lee Minho fans would surely also argue this point.
3. Kim Bo Kyung - 'Suddenly' (City Hunter)
Yes, another drama featuring actor Lee Minho! This one is certainly an action-packed series! Kim Bo Kyung's song focus more on its emotional side, but still carries that rock ballad vibe that will make you clench your fists and feel the music.
4. J-Min - 'Stand Up' (To The Beautiful You)
This song can get you pumped up and goes great with this funny, yet still dramatic series. It is a song that is upbeat, but still manages to be very cool and fairly heavy with it's sound. If anyone has seen the Japanese version of this drama, they will know how starkly the OSTs contrast, but give each version their own flavour. Much like the aforementioned 'Boys Over Flowers', 'To The Beautiful You' is also based on a Japanese manga ('Hanazakari no Kimitachi e') and also has a Taiwanese version! K-Pop fans might prefer the South Korean one though, as SHINee's Minho and f(x)'s Sulli play the main characters!
5. Yoon Mirae - 'Touch Love' (The Master's Sun)
Yoon Mirae often shows off quite a classic hip hop image, but of course, she also has a beautiful voice that is perfect for almost any drama OST. This particular 2013 drama has a rather unusual story involving the paranormal alongside that classic paradigm of a budding romantic relationship. This track definitely speaks to the heart, but it has a very soothing, swaying sound that also makes it quite relaxing.
6. Son Ho Young and Danny Ahn - 'One Day' (Marriage Not Dating)
Here is a drama with a typically contrasting couple that cross paths randomly only to later become embroiled in each other's lives. The series also confronts contrasting perspectives on the notion of marriage, which in itself will surely get you thinking about your own opinions on the subject. The members of g.o.d show us how they have maintained their popularity over the years as they belt out this ballad with ease.
7. Kangta - 'Arrow' (Athena: Goddess of War)
Here is another drama that will satisfy the action-lovers out there, this is a 2010 spin-off series of the very popular espionage drama Iris which was broadcast in the previous year. It features some big name actors like Cha Seung Won and Lee Ji Ah (as well as a smaller role for Super Junior's Siwon), so it is clear to see why the hugely successful soloist Kangta was enlisted for a song on the soundtrack!
8. Baek Ji Young - 'That Woman' (Secret Garden)
This particular song is a bit of a personal favourite of mine from the very successful 2010 drama 'Secret Garden'. The drama itself has a crazy story involving body-swapping and a love-hate relationship between the two protagonists. Baek Ji Young is an experienced ballad singer, and this emotional track is a definite crowd pleaser. Do you prefer this version, or Hyun Bin's though?
9. Yesung - 'It Has To Be You' (Cinderella's Sister)
Super Junior's powerful vocalist Yesung gives us this great ballad for a 2010 K-drama that offers an interesting twist on the classic fairy tale Cinderella. The drama also features 2PM's Taecyeon in his acting debut. Yesung effortlessly slays this song in the live performance in a Super Junior concert.
10. Kim Jong Kook - 'How Come You Don't Know?' (Good Doctor)
This is a brilliant track that adds even more emotion to an already beautifully deep storyline. 'Good Doctor' follows a young man with autism as he battles to be accepted in the medical field by his colleagues and patients. He experiences profound difficulty, despite possessing great intelligence and talent in his work. A great performance by actor Joo Won and a great song to communicate the role.
~ If you enjoyed this playlist, you can listen to it on YouTube here ~
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