the power of the ost

        When someone first enters into the dark hole of Korean dramas, they are often introduced to an abyss of phrases and expressions. Personally, OST was one of the first acronyms that I googled. OST is the abbreviation for "original sound track," a single or album of songs created for a particular drama. Just like Taiwanese, Japanese and Chinese dramas, these songs are intricately interwoven into the drama. The best OSTs are often associated with certain characters, romantic storylines and moods. What's the marker of a phenomenal soundtrack? To me...it must work hand in hand with the television show. Specifically, the mentioning of a drama should trigger a song to start playing in your head. Similarly, listening to an OST should prompt an individual to visualize significant scenes and dialogue. 

        In my opinion, I believe these original soundtracks have been an integral part of the Hallyu drama wave. Perhaps, these songs are the unsung heroes. Just as music is a universal language, melodies allow viewers to develop a deeper understanding of the setting and ever-changing emotions. Between the foreign dialogue and the cold captions, OSTs help fill that seemingly large void. The combination of the visual and auditory experience help propel foreign viewers (like me) into these characters' world.

        Although there are many single OST songs that I enjoy, few dramas have created a great, cohesive album. I am sharing a few of my all-time favourite OSTs album. (Please note: these are not ranked in any particular order). 

1) Descendants of the Sun OSTs (Always, Everytime, You Are My Everything, This Love...) 

        Featuring the queens of OST (Davichi, Yoon Mirae, Gummy and Punch), the soundtrack packaged this television series into a perfect melodrama. Although this drama dealt with heavy subjects, such as North and South Korea relations and life-threatening medical situations, songwriters used the OSTs to represent the budding relationship between Yoon Se-jin and Kang Mo-yeon. In episode 1, viewers hear the pop song "Everytime" to signify the beginning of a warm, naive romance. Towards the end of the series, we are introduced to Lyn's ballad "With You," which echoes Mo-yeon's love for Se-jin and her deep longing for his return. The growth in maturity between the characters is beautifully captured in song. As a fan of the second leads, I love how they had their anthem as well. Mad Clown/Kim Na Young's "Once Again" really expresses the tension between a madly in love Myung-ju and resistant Dae-young.

        
2) Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (aka Goblin) [Stay With Me, Beautiful, Who Are You...]

 

       Featuring the ballad powerhouses (Ailee, Eddy Kim, Sam Kim, Crush), the Goblin OST is a filled with fantastic singles. Most songs from this soundtrack can be enjoyed by those who have not watched the drama. I remember talking to my friend about how Korean songs can be classified in different seasons. The Guardian OST is perfect for the winter season...with tracks that offer warmth and healing. But for those who've watched the drama, I found that the collection of songs match the beautiful grey/green tones that fill the silver screen. The union, reunion and heartbreaking parting of the goblin and his bride is beautifully illustrated through Ailee's "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow." When listeners hear the first few notes of "Stay with Me" and "Beautiful," they are immediately taken back to the beautiful, rustic scenes filmed in Quebec City. The quick recall is the perfect example of a successful OST.

3) Hotel del Luna (Another Day, All About You, Can You See My Heart...)

        Paired with a beautiful fantastical drama about Man-Wol and her hotel, the emotional soundtrack evokes feelings of sadness and loneliness. These songs perfectly mirror the story of the female protagonist and her hotel guests, who have unfinished business to complete before leaving earth. As Man-Wol falls in love with Chan-Sung, Gummy's "Remember Me" and Heize's "Can You See My Heart" ushers viewers into a puddle of tears, as Man-Wol's impending departure looms over this romantic relationship. As Man-Wol's heart softens, we see a beautiful picture of the character allowing herself to be vulnerable and to be loved. Accompanying IU's stunning acting, the lyrics to Yang Da Il's "Only You" really helps us understand her heart (I can't hide these unbearable feeling anymore...my heart towards you is like a light in the night). Unlike the DOTS/Goblin soundtrack, I enjoy listening to the Hotel Del Luna OST in chronological order (not as individual songs) because it is such a cohesive collection of music with beautiful string arrangements and piano melodies. Although the songs are sprinkled throughout the drama, each track leads the way to the next one.

4) Crash Landing on You (But it's Destiny, Flower, Sunset, Here I Am Again, Let Us Go...)

        

        As CLOY dives into the life of North and South Koreans, its OST brilliantly reflects the two distinct countries. The simplistic synths in "Flower" and traditional-sounding "Photo of My Mind" mirrors the unsophisticated life in the socialist, underdeveloped state. On the other hand, viewers hear the pop ballads "All of My Days" and "Let Us Go," which were appropriately played when Seri and Jeong-Hyeok reunite in South Korea. While listening to the album, I was drawn to Yerin Baek's "Here I Am Again" because it illustrated Seri and Jeong-Hyeok's story so well, as the star-crossed lovers desperately desired to be together. The powerful string arrangement mimicked the heartbreaking departure and the vow to be there (not necessarily physically, but emotionally). Many of the CLOY OSTs provide a sense of comfort to its viewers [Sunset/All of My Day/Let Us Go], which reflect what Jeong-Hyeok's role for Seri. After she stepped into North Korea, he offers her a sense of security, stability and emotional support.

 

5) Hospital Playlist (Aloha, Confession Is Not Flashy, I Knew I Love, Me to You You to Me...)

        In order for a drama to end up on my "top 5 list," it must be accompanied with fantastic music.
And Hospital Playlist deserves praise for its unique way of integrating music into the series. In HP, the doctors formed a band named "Mido and Parasol" and they played songs from the soundtrack at the end of each episode. All the songs are music covers from other (older or forgotten) Korean artists. I love how the songs provide an outlet to the squad's past, hint at their current emotions and expresses their wishes/desires. It also shows how music can be an integral part of one's life...a special form of artistic expression and an emotional outlet. The cover songs also offer new, international fans (like me) a chance to be introduced to great Korean artists that paved the way for Kpop idols today. Just like DOTS, each romance line is strategically given an anthem that represents the state of their relationship. As I await for season 2, I cannot wait to listen to new cover songs and see the musical collaboration between the main actors. If you would like to read my review on Hospital Playlist, click this link.

        For new Korean drama fans, I hope this was a good way of introducing the power of the OST in Asian dramas. And for long time Korean drama fans, perhaps this was a trip down memory lane. I would like to take the time to acknowledge all the lyricists, producers and song arrangers behind these dramas. These people are not enough adequate praise and recognition for supporting the drama and contributing to the dramas' commercial success.

~cho