Korean dramas, or K-dramas, are known not only for their emotional stories and charming characters, but also for their unforgettable soundtracks.

These soundtracks often become an integral part of the viewing experience, evoking emotions and enhancing key moments in dramas.

Here, we present 15 iconic K-drama soundtracks that left a lasting impact on viewers and continue to be enjoyed long after the final episode.

1. Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) 2016

Kim Shin was once an unbeatable general in the Goryeo army who died tragically. He now possesses immortality, but he is tired of living while everyone around him dies. For 900 years, Kim Shin has searched for his bride, a mortal who can draw her sword and end his life.

One day, he meets Ji Eun Tak, a positive and optimistic high school student who can see the dead and has experienced tragic events but still remains strong. She claims to be the bride of the Goblin who can end his immortal life, but what seems like an easy task only becomes complicated when the two fall in love.

Soundtrack: “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol (EXO) & Punch – This hauntingly beautiful song perfectly captures the magical and melancholic essence of Goblin.

2. Descendants of the Sun (2016)

“Descendants of the Sun” chronicles the blossoming romance between Kang Mo Yeon, a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon, and Yoo Shi Jin, a dedicated Captain who leads Alpha Team. Mo Yeon, confident and capable, believes in merit over privilege, but faces setbacks due to the restrictions of the system.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when she crosses paths with Shi Jin, whose commitment to duty and country trumps obedience to authority. As they face the challenges of a war-torn environment, their bond grows stronger amidst chaos and danger.

Set against a backdrop of conflict, the drama explores themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience. Mo Yeon and Shi Jin’s relationship defies the odds, highlighting the power of connection amidst adversity.

As they confront the harsh realities of their circumstances, they learn to rely on each other, finding solace and strength in their partnership. Together, they strive to make a difference amidst the turmoil, proving that love can blossom even in the darkest of times.

Soundtrack: “Everytime” by Chen (EXO) & Punch – A catchy and romantic track that highlights the chemistry between the main characters.

3. Crash Landing on You (2019)

After a paragliding accident, South Korean heiress Yoon Se Ri crash-lands in North Korea. She finds herself in a dangerous situation until she meets Ri Jung Hyuk, an officer in the North Korean military. Despite the political tensions between their countries, Jung Hyuk agrees to help Se Ri return home while hiding his presence from the authorities.

As Se Ri adapts to the completely different life in North Korea, she and Jung Hyuk develop a deep bond.

Their relationship evolves from mere survival cooperation to genuine affection, challenging their preconceived notions about each other. Jung Hyuk's protective nature and Se Ri's resilience bring them closer, forging a strong connection.

Along their journey, they face several obstacles, including the suspicion of Jung Hyuk's comrades and the tireless efforts of North Korean officials to uncover Se Ri's identity.

Their love story unfolds amidst high stakes as they challenge the complexities of their respective duties and loyalties. “Crash Landing on You” is a tale of love that transcends boundaries, highlighting the power of human connection and the courage to defy social norms for the sake of love.

Soundtrack: “Flower” by Yoon Mi Rae – An emotional ballad that beautifully complements the drama’s dramatic and heartfelt moments.

4. Itaewon Class (2020)

Park Saeroyi's life takes a dramatic turn when he is expelled from school for standing up to a bully.

This act of defiance leads to his father's dismissal from his job, followed by a tragic accident that takes his father's life. Motivated by a desire to honor his father's memory and fueled by a sense of justice, Saeroyi opens a pub called "DanBam" in the bustling Itaewon district.

With determination and resilience, Saeroyi, together with his dedicated manager and diverse team, strives to make DanBam a success.

Each member of the team brings their own unique experience and skills, contributing to the growth of the pub and its vibrant, inclusive atmosphere. Despite facing numerous challenges, including fierce competition and personal vendettas, Saeroyi’s unwavering spirit and leadership guide them through.

As they work together, they confront social inequality and corporate corruption while remaining steadfast in their principles and goals. Itaewon Class is not only a story of personal revenge and redemption, but also of camaraderie, dreams, and the relentless pursuit of success against all odds. It highlights the power of perseverance, integrity, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Soundtrack: “Start Over” by Gaho – An uplifting anthem that resonates with the theme of perseverance and new beginnings.

5. My Love from the Stars (2013)

Do Min Joon is an alien who landed on Earth 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. With near-perfect appearance and enhanced physical abilities, including superior vision, hearing, and speed, he lived for centuries, remaining separate from humans.

His life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers he has only three months left on Earth.

During this critical period, he meets Cheon Song Yi, Korea's biggest Hallyu star, who moves in next door.

Song Yi is a glamorous but troubled actress whose career is on the decline due to a series of scandals. Despite initial conflicts, Min Joon finds himself drawn to her witty personality and vulnerability.

As they grow closer, Min Joon struggles with his impending departure and the deepening feelings he develops for Song Yi. Their relationship faces several challenges, including Min Joon's secret and the danger surrounding Song Yi due to his celebrity status.

“My Love from the Star” weaves a fantastical tale of love that transcends time and space, exploring the deep connection between an immortal being and a mortal woman and the sacrifices they must make for their love.

Soundtrack: “My Destiny” by Lyn – A powerful ballad that highlights the fateful love story between an alien and a human.

6. Hotel Del Luna (2019)

Nestled in the heart of Seoul’s thriving downtown area sits a curious hotel unlike any other. Ancient beyond belief, the building has stood for millennia, an ever-present testament to the fact that things are not always what they seem.

The person running this hotel is Jang Man Wol, a greedy and suspicious soul who has spent the last thousand years acting as the establishment's CEO.

Trapped in the hotel by a deity who keeps her there to save her from going mad and destroying herself with anger, hatred, and a thirst for revenge. Her only hope of escape is if she can let go of her resentment and hatred and find love.

Trapped in her resentment over a betrayal, Man Wol is doomed to spend eternity running this strange establishment, catering to the needs of the most peculiar clientele.

Things take an interesting turn when Goo Chan Sung shows up. Once the youngest assistant manager to ever work at a multinational hotel corporation, Chan Sung finds himself forced to run the Hotel del Luna because of a deal his father made with Man Wol years ago.

An excellent money manager, he sets about putting Jang's excessive spending and disastrous financial situation in order; this may be just what this strange establishment and its cursed CEO need.

Soundtrack: “All About You” by Taeyeon – A soft and emotional song that enhances the mystical and romantic atmosphere of the drama.

7. Healer (2014)

Seo Jung Hoo, a unique night messenger known as the “Healer,” specializes in getting his clients anything they need, as long as it doesn’t involve murder.

With the help of a brilliant hacker, he efficiently handles covert operations for a high fee. His latest assignment introduces him to Chae Young Shin, a second-rate tabloid writer, and Kim Moon Ho, a successful reporter.

As Jung Hoo delves deeper into his task, he begins to unravel a shared history with Young Shin and Moon Ho. This unexpected connection brings to light secrets from their past, connecting them in ways neither of them could have imagined.

As they dig deeper, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy, putting their lives at risk.

“Healer” weaves a compelling narrative of intrigue, action and romance. Jung Hoo, with his solitary lifestyle, finds himself increasingly drawn to Young Shin’s tenacity and Moon Ho’s determination to uncover the truth. Together, they navigate dangerous situations, battling powerful adversaries to bring hidden truths to light.

As the danger mounts, Jung Hoo must confront his own past and decide what it truly represents. The journey tests his resilience, challenges his beliefs, and ultimately forges a bond that could change their lives forever.

Soundtrack: “Eternal Love” by Michael Learns to Rock – A timeless love song that perfectly matches the romantic and action-packed elements of Healer.

8. The Heirs (2013)

Kim Tan, the heir to the Empire Group, is sent to study in the US, a veiled exile orchestrated by his older half-brother, who plans to take over the family business.

While abroad, Tan meets Cha Eun Sang, who has arrived from Korea in search of her older sister. Unaware that Eun Sang is the daughter of his family's housekeeper, Tan falls in love with her.

Their connection deepens as they spend time together, but complications arise when Tan's fiancée, Rachel Yoo, arrives to bring him back to Korea.

Torn between his growing love for Eun Sang and his duties to his family and fiancée, Tan faces a tumultuous return home. Back in Korea, he must navigate the treacherous waters of his family's expectations, corporate intrigue, and his own heart's desires.

“The Heirs” focuses on themes of love, wealth and social status, highlighting the struggles of young love in the face of social pressures. As Tan and Eun Sang fight to be together, they must confront the harsh realities of their different worlds and the sacrifices required to stay true to their hearts.

Soundtrack: “Love Is the Moment” by Lee Chang Min – A memorable track that captures the youthful romance and drama of high school life.

9. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

When a total solar eclipse occurs, Go Ha Jin is transported back in time to the early Goryeo Dynasty of Korea during the rule of King Taejo. She awakens in the body of 16-year-old Hae Soo and finds herself living in the household of the 8th Prince Wang Wook, who is married to Hae Soo's cousin.

She soon befriends several princes and meets the ostracized 4th prince, Wang So. Although knowing that she should not get involved in the palace intrigues her about the succession to the throne, she inadvertently becomes a pawn in the struggle as several princes fall in love with her.

Soundtrack: EXO-CBX’s “For You” – A touching song that reflects the historical and romantic aspects of the drama.

10. Answer 1988 (2015)

Five childhood friends, all living in the same neighborhood of Ssangmundong in Seoul, lean on each other to survive the challenging teenage years and chart a path for the future.

Sung Deok Sun struggles for attention as the middle child in her poor family, while also carrying the burden of her 999th ranking in school. Kim Jung Hwan only has one mind set on soccer, even after his family becomes rich overnight.

Sung Sun Woo is the perfect student, student council president, and a caring and reliable son in his family. Ryu Dong Ryong is a nerd who knows more about girls and life than the rest of his friends, but his low academic score prevents him from going to college.

Choi Taek is a genius baduk player who dropped out of school to become a professional. As the group of friends get in and out of trouble around the neighborhood, what experiences from these memorable times together will they carry with them into their future lives?

Soundtrack: “Youth” by Kim Feel – A nostalgic and heartfelt song that evokes the essence of growing up and finding love.

11. Strong Woman By Bong Soon (2017)

Do Bong Soon is a petite, unemployed woman who is honest and kind. She appears small and sweet on the outside, but she is very strong. For generations in her family, women have been gifted with Herculean strength to use for the greater good. If abused, however, their power will be taken away.

While defending herself after being bullied by gang members, she finds herself approached by Ahn Min Hyuk, the handsome and somewhat childish CEO of Ainsoft, a gaming company. Ahn Min Hyuk, who has a deep distrust of the police, witnessed the entire exchange of Bong Soon's superhuman strength and now wants to employ her as a bodyguard after being threatened by an unknown enemy.

Min Hyuk falls in love with the super strong Bong Soon at first sight, but there’s a catch. Bong Soon has eyes for someone else; a police officer and childhood friend, In Guk Doo, whom she’s known since high school.

When chaos ensues after a series of kidnappings in Do Bong Soon's hometown of Dobong-dong, Dobong-gu, Bong Soon must decide whether to embrace her strength and stand up to evil or play it safe and keep her powers hidden from the world.

Combined with the love triangle she faces between In Guk Doo and Ahn Min Hyuk, as well as having to keep Min Hyuk safe, Bong Soon's life is thrown into turmoil. Can she use her strength for the greater good, or will it ultimately prove to be too much?

Soundtrack: “Heartbeat” by Suran – A fun and energetic track that matches the main character’s quirky and lovable nature.

12. Boys Instead of Flowers (2009)

Geum Jan Di comes from a poor family who owns a laundromat. One day, she visits Shinhwa High School, a prestigious school for the wealthy, and saves a student who is trying to commit suicide because of bullying. For her heroic act, Jan Di receives a swimming scholarship and begins attending the school.

At Shinhwa High, she meets the famous F4, the most popular and powerful boy group in school, consisting of Gu Jun Pyo, the leader of F4 and heir to the Shinhwa Group, Yoon Ji Hu, the grandson of a former president of Korea, So Yi Jung, a skilled ceramicist who comes from a family that owns the largest art museum in the country, and Song Woo Bin, whose family runs the largest construction company in the country.

Her life at school starts out miserable as she doesn't fit in with the other students because of her status, and then gets worse when she is labeled as the F4's new target of bullying.

Soundtrack: “Paradise” by T-Max – An iconic song that has become synonymous with the classic K-drama about young love and rivalry.

13. Dream Big (2011)

Dream High tells the story of six students at Kirin Art High School who work to achieve their dreams of becoming music stars in the Korean music industry.

Go Hye Mi is a student who majored in classical music, but has to give up her dream by entering Kirin Art High School to pay off her father's debt.

However, she needs to get two other students to come to school so that she can conditionally enroll in the school. These two students are Song Sam Dong, who lives in the countryside, and Jin Guk, who she accidentally meets while trying to escape from a loan shark. Yoon Baek Hee, Hyemi's former classmate, becomes her rival at school because Hye Mi betrays her during an audition to enter the school.

Soundtrack: “Dreaming” by Kim Soo Hyun – An inspiring song that encourages you to follow your dreams, just like the characters in the drama.

14. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)

Bok Joo is a weightlifter who is chasing her dream of winning the gold medal, but then she finds romance for the first time in her life.

Although she is a woman who trains with heavy steel weights, she is also very feminine when it comes to relationships. Focusing solely on weightlifting would put her relationship at risk, but giving up her weightlifting career for love would prevent her from achieving her dreams.

Can she find a way to have love and glory in her 20s? The characters in this drama are elite athletes in weightlifting, swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics who work hard to achieve their goals in life. It covers their coming-of-age stories and relationships through busy lives.

Soundtrack: “You & I” by Kim Min Seung – A sweet and uplifting song that highlights the emotional moments of the drama.

15. Secret Garden (2010)

The drama tells the story of Kim Joo Won, an arrogant and eccentric CEO who maintains an image of apparent perfection, and Gil Ra Im, a poor and humble stuntwoman whose beauty and body are the envy of top actresses.

Their accidental meeting, when Joo Won mistakes Ra Im for actress Park Chae Rin, marks the beginning of a tense and contentious relationship, through which Joo Won tries to hide a growing attraction for Ra Im that confuses and disturbs him. To complicate matters further, a strange sequence of events results in their bodies being switched.

Soundtrack: “That Man” by Hyun Bin – A heartwarming ballad performed by the lead actor himself, adding depth to the drama’s romantic narrative.

These 15 K-drama soundtracks not only set the mood for their respective shows, but they also stuck with us long after the dramas ended. Each song brings back memories of the emotions and experiences shared with the characters, making them timeless pieces that continue to resonate with fans around the world.

Whether you're a longtime K-drama fan or a newbie, these soundtracks are sure to touch your heart and enhance your viewing experience.