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2016 was a huge year for Korean drama lovers. From traversing between fictional and real worlds, to solving crimes that link the present and the past, we encountered countless original series to savor on. Let’s relive the fond memories of 2016 Kdramas through some of the best OSTs that we heard last year.
First up are the classic heartbreaking Kdrama ballads. It was really difficult to pick only 15, but here are some of our favorite sentimental OSTs from dramas that finished airing in 2016.
Descendants of the Sun
Gummy – You’re My Everything
This winding ballad sung by Gummy has a rather awe-inspiring, grandiose composition that you won’t forget even upon first listen. It’s no wonder that this is one of the most famous OSTs of the year. Gummy’s airy yet steady vocal gives life and soul to the song, where the twists and turns in the melody echo the ups and downs of our heroes’ destined love.
Davichi – 이 사랑 (This Love)
Our other pick from the array of hit OSTs in this drama is a tender number by ballad experts Davichi. This girls’ staggering vocals pretty much summarize the push and pull relationship of the supporting couple, with much refrained emotions and a gratefulness for not giving up on a forbidden love.
Doctors
Park Yong In + Kwon Soon Il – No Way
Here we have a sublime mid-tempo duet song by the unique and powerful voices of Urban Zakapa. Their harmonies are perfectly in sync, adding layers of emotional depth to the song. Meanwhile, the hooky chorus makes it easy to catch on. Compared to other songs on the list, this track contains a sense of determination and a proclamation to not miss out on true love.
Jung Yup – It’s Love
“If I ever fall in love, would you let me be the one?” In this acoustic ballad accompanied by gentle electric guitar and synthetic piano sounds, Jung Yup’s sweet and smooth voice softly expresses the heartfelt affection the hero has towards the heroine. It’s the kind of delicate, feel-good song that can warm your heart even on the coldest days.
Jealousy Incarnate
Kim Tae Woo – 너 때문에 (Because of You)
Just like the down to earth and super relatable story in the drama, this straightforward yet catchy song talks about the silly acts and emotional woes of falling for someone. It’s quite the suitable song to appear when our prideful hero is finally admitting his downfall in love. Kim Tae Woo’s mellow yet raspy delivery against the soft piano riffs brings out a sense of vulnerability.
Love in the Moonlight
Gummy – 구르미 그린 달빛 (Moonlight Draw by Clouds)
Gentle piano, light acoustic guitar, and the occasional violin set the tone for this dreamy and melodic ballad as we witness the beautiful love blossom between our adorable teenage prince and his favorite eunuch. Gummy kills it again with her addictive vibrato, adding so much more romantic flavor to this already beautiful number.
Beige / Hwang Chi Yeol – 그리워 그리워서 (Because I Miss You)
Because I Miss You is a signature sageuk Kdrama ballad with dreamy melody, resonant string instrumentals, a taste of traditional Eastern folk song, complete with pleading vocals to deliver the ultimate yearning and heartache package. Only this time, you get to pick your poison with either the female or the male version that are equally tear-inducing.
Lucky Romance
Park Hae Soo – 슬픈인연 (Sad Fate)
Sad Fate is a cover of a famous 80’s song by Nami. But this acoustic remake, back by faint piano chords and mild electric guitar strings, modernized the familiar tune. The highlight here is Park Hae Soo’s clean and angelic voice that goes straight for your heart. The melody is simple, without too many bells and whistles, yet conveys deep heartfelt emotions.
Marriage Contract
Jisoo – 붙잡아도 (Hold On)
This is as classic as Kdrama ballad OSTs get. Melancholic melody paired with equally sorrowful vocal delivery meant to make your tears flow. Hold On paints the perfect backdrop to the unfortunate fate that our lead couple encounters in the drama, making it easy to feel their hopelessness as they desperately holds onto each other in face of life and death.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Jung Seung Hwan – 바람 (Wind)
Like it’s star-studded cast, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo has too many memorable ballads to choose from. But Wind stands out as a track that best embodies the drama’s alluring sageuk theme and our characters’ wretched fates. The woefulness in Jung Seung Hwan’s voice kills us slowly as he sings about the heartbreaking separation between lovers.
Lee Hi – 내 사랑 (My Love)
If Wind best exemplifies the underlying tragic storyline of the drama, My Love speaks for the heroine’s earnest prayer to treasure the relationship and to be remembered by her loved one even if they cannot be together. Lee Hi’s soulful and captivating vocals makes it easy to feel the heroine’s sincerity and devotion.
One More Happy Ending
Kyuhyun – 내 맘은 어디에 두죠 (Where is My Heart)
Ballad prince Kyuhyun warms our hearts with his affectionate and velvety voice in this wistful track with steady rhythm and symphonic instrumentals. As if straight from Kyuhyun’s album, this song imparts an autumn-isk feeling of loneliness and sentimentality that’s particularly fitting for Kyuhyun’s mellow and mature delivery.
Please Come Back Mister
Ailee – 사랑이니까 (Because It’s Love)
The Kpop R&B diva lends her mellifluous vocals to the groovy soundtrack of this comedic yet heartwarming drama. Ailee’s half airy half sound vocals is as sweet and warming as it can get. When paired with scenes of our ahjusshi’s regret of not treating their loved ones better when they were alive, it feels especially bittersweet.
Remember – War of the Son
Bobby Kim – 사랑한다 할 수 있기에 (Cuz I Could Say I Love You)
This song doesn’t have belting high notes, or dramatic ups and downs, yet it just feels very real, as if listening to an unfortunate story about someone you know. Bobby Kim’s soulful and magnetic voice brings the song to life, singing about our hero’s deepest thoughts about the hardships of life and his thankfulness towards the heroine for her love and support.
Six Flying Dragons
Xia – 너라는 시간이 흐른다 (The Time Is You)
Another beautifully composed ballad full of drama and layers of orchestra instrumentals. Xia’s delicate and raspy voice appropriately pinpoints the highs and lows of the melody to faithfully convey the full spectrum of emotions felt by our lead characters — longing, regret, angst, and memories of a true love.
What’s your favorite Kdrama OSTs from last year? Let us know in the comments section below. To see our list of OSTs on the more uplifting side, check out part 2.
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