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5 Sentimental K-Drama OSTs Which Give Us Autumn Feels

October 10, 2016/in Entertainment, MUSIC /by Anna Cheang

The season marked by the fall of colourful leaves and the creeping of the chill in the air, Autumn is a good time for recollection and reflection of the past year. To celebrate the arrival of this wonderful season, here are five sentimental K-Drama OSTs (soundtracks) from the year so far that will definitely evoke them feels (and possibly get you hooked on some of these dramas).

1. Sunhae Im- “Will Be Back” (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo)

Currently airing sageuk (historical drama) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo may have been receiving a lot of criticism at the moment for its awkward directing and editing but there is one thing that the drama nailed perfectly: its OST. To pick one out of the amazing collection available was a near impossible feat but Sunhae Im’s “Will Be Back” is a song that brought me to tears every time I heard it. Maybe it’s because the song was played during two extremely heart-wrenching events in the show, or maybe it’s because Im’s operatic voice blends perfectly with the wonderful instrumentals of the track.Either way, this addition to the OST is by far one of the most moving I’ve ever heard in a K-drama. The song evokes emotion in a way that Moon Lovers sometimes fails to do and is a great asset to the drama (as with the other songs included on the show’s soundtrack).

2. Insooni- “Gift” (Memory)

“Memory” is an underrated gem of 2016, one which never garnered much public attention but satisfied the viewers who stayed with it to the end. Much like the drama Memory, the OSTs were mostly understated and quiet but extremely touching and memorable. “Gift” is a beautiful track from one of Korea’s most celebrated female vocalists, Insooni, and it perfectly translates the deep emotions evident in this well-written drama. The bittersweet and reflective song speaks of the sadness, loss, and regret we are bound to feel as we grow older and experience change. More than that however, the song also describes the peaceful contentment we can feel when we remember the kinship, friendships, and small miracles that made up our past. It’s a song that’s definitely worth listening to this season.

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3. Beige- “I Miss You” (Moonlight Drawn By Clouds)

For the most part, youth sageuk “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds” is lighthearted and adorable, if a little cliche at times. However, the drama also does manage to carry some pretty emotional beats , especially in the moving portrayal of Lee Yeong’s relationship with his deceased mother as well as the unexpectedly sweet romance between a eunuch and a court lady. Beige’s “I Miss You” was stuck in my head as soon as I saw Ra-On’s dance scene and the song did not disappoint. Soft but dripping with emotion, Beige’s voice flowed as one with the gentle string instrumentals backing up the track, creating a sentimental OST for the drama.

4. Roy Kim – “Maybe I” (Oh Haeyoung Again)

Roy Kim’s warm and melodious voice works well with the simple background instrumentals to create this relaxing OST which is at once subtle but also very comforting. It’s worth a listen, especially if you are feeling nostalgic or melancholic due to the weather. The track also suits well with the overall theme and mood of Oh Haeyoung Again, which turned out to be an unexpected hit due to its meaningful storyline and uplifting message.

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5. 2NB – “Fall’s Winds” (Fantastic)

Fantastic is a melodrama through and through what with one of the drama’s main characters having a terminal illness and having only six months left to live. There is thus no shortage of heart-wrenching and tragic scenes in the drama which is why I was quite surprised to chance upon 2NB’s “Fall’s Winds”. The song is cheerful but also has a pensive feel to it, made clear through the beautiful and emotional voices of the two singers. I could really go on listening to their harmonies for days.

What songs are on your own Autumn playlist? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

5 Tear-Inducing K-Drama OSTs Pt. 3

October 23, 2015/in Entertainment /by Tam Huynh

5 Tear-Inducing K-Drama OSTs Pt. 2

September 19, 2015/in Entertainment /by Anna Cheang

If you ask me what makes a good K-drama, rather than a star-studded cast or a fresh storyline, my answer would be a good soundtrack. OSTs (original soundtracks) are instrumental to dramas because they create the appropriate mood for the various scenes which play out, thus adding a lot of vibrance and emotion to the drama. When used correctly, OSTs also have the ability to grip the hearts of viewers and carry them throughout the drama. A few years ago, that is what a special OST did to me. For the first time, I cried along with the main characters because of the anguish that I felt as I listened to the song, and since then, the tears have never stopped flowing. I started to have a great appreciation for emotional OSTs and would listen to them over and over again.

Over the years, I’ve gathered quite a collection of my favourite OSTs, but the following five that are listed have a special place in my heart and still linger fondly in my memories today. (Warning: Some drama spoilers ahead!)

5. Gavy N.J – “Rewind” (“My Lovely Girl”)

“My Lovely Girl” (2014) is one of the more recent dramas that I’ve watched and what it lacks in plot it certainly makes up for in its soundtrack. As a drama centred around an entertainment company run by Lee Hyun-wook (Rain), I expected that there would be many amazing soundtracks being used in the show. Indeed there were great songs, such as Krystal’s (f(x)) “All of a Sudden” which I enjoyed. But the first song to really touch my heart was Gavy N.J’s “Rewind.” In the drama, this song is used as a recurring reference to Sena’s (Krystal) deceased sister, which on its own is a tragic enough plot point, but the gorgeous voices and harmonies of Gavy N.J brought tears to my eyes, and caused me to care a lot more about the show than I would have originally. The song is not flashy in any way, but sometimes it’s the softest and simplest melodies which are the most poignant.

5 Tear Inducing K-Drama OSTs

August 21, 2015/in Entertainment /by Tam Huynh

I remember watching my first K-drama series, “Autumn in My Heart,” starring heartthrob actors Song Seung-heon and Won Bin and charming actress Song Hye-kyo in 2001 on VHS with my mom. Aside from crying every other episode as the result of a heartbreaking plot, I remember falling madly in love in with the melodic ballads and acoustic OSTs (original soundtrack). I was young and didn’t want to ask my parents for money to buy the OST album, so as a result, I made my way onto Limewire (once an online file sharing downloading website) and downloaded the 13-track soundtrack and became completely immersed, day in and day out.

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Going into this drama, I wasn’t expecting to be so mesmerized by the somber songs and tender guitar and piano acoustics considering this was my first time being exposed to the Korean culture and the Korean music. My love for these sappy, heart wrenching, and emotional OSTs surely hasn’t slowed down. One of the reasons why I’m usually drawn to a drama nowadays is because I’ll hear the OST elsewhere, become completely absorbed in the music, and then watch the drama itself. Considering that I’m such a sucker for a great soundtrack, it was quite difficult for me to create this list, but if I let it go on any further it wouldn’t have ever ended. So with that said, here are my top 5 choices. Read more