With the fall in K-drama ratings on television the last few years, with it I feel has also been the lack of mega hit OST songs, the kind that sweeps the nation and you can hear on every single cafe, restaurant, and store. I still encounter OST songs I like but don’t recall any in recent years that had the same height of popularity as some of the now classics during the heyday of K-drama ratings, most of which were performed by either songstress Baek Ji Young or balladeer Sung Shi Kyung. The two were on a variety program this weekend and was asked by the host on what their criteria is in picking songs because they always seem to generate songs that become big hits. Baek Ji Young has only 1 reason – the female lead – if she likes the actress she will agree to do the OST such as when Ha Ji Won in Secret Garden or Kim Tae Hee in Iris. For Sung Shi Kyung, he does a more calculating three prong reasoning – he looks at the screenwriter, then looks at the two leads, and finally asks to read the script to see if he thinks it will be a hit drama. If so then he agrees to do the OST. In addition to the aforementioned Iris and Secret Garden, here are the dramas Baek Ji Young did the OST for: Mr. Sunshine, Memories of Bali, Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, Arang and the Magistrate, The World of the Married, Producer, and Gu Family Book. Shin Shi Kyung performed the main OST song in: You From Another Star, Legend of the Blue Sea, Answer Me 1994, and he also did Secret Garden and Moonlight Drawn by Clouds.
Of all the K-soloist, I love Lee Hi’s voice the most but it seems that she seldom do drama OST in comparison to Hyolyn and Ailee.
My ultimate fave drama OST are Winter Sonata and My Ajusshi.
I adore Baek Ji Young but I genuinely don’t like her OSTs. I know, crucify me because wtf. But yea, I don’t think I’ve ever liked any of them as much as others have (excluding That Man)
On the other hand, Sung Shi Kyung probably sang the most amazing OST’s in the history of kdramas lol. I basically love every single one and Every Moment of You is – to me – the best OST of all time. And my future wedding song lol. There are countless covers and no one comes close to him.
Yeah. I don’t think I ever liked a Baek Ji Young OST. I didn’t watch Moon Embracing The Sun, but liked Lyn’s iconic OST for that series.
I don’t know if anyone of you has ever heard Red Nine Blue’s OST for Fashion 70s? But that song is so good yet so sad. Extremely breathy too. ??
No, I must say I haven’t. Usually, I end up only hearing OSTs of dramas I’ve watched – or if they are just so popular, it screams listen-to-me on my face lol. I’ll definitely listen to it tho.
As for Lyn’s OST in MoonSun, actually I think it was the reason I tried that drama out in the first place. So iconic. And Lyn’s Destiny too for YFAS. She’s another one with some epic OSTs.
Objectively, BJY’s range and vocal techniques are not great. The popularity of her OSTs depends a lot on the quality of the songs and the dramas themselves.
On the other hand, I don’t listen to SSK enough. I think his range is average but his vocal techniques are slightly better. Plus, I heard he writes the melodies himself so he knows exactly what he can and cannot do.
Just to add another 3 OSTs by Baek Ji Young.
3 of Moon Chae Won’s dramas. The Princess’ Man, Good Doctor and Goodbye Mr. Black.
I love Yoon Mirae singing OST’s
DITTO!
Baek Ji-Young also mentioned Saekyeong, why is she not included?
Lyn’s Back in time still is my all time fave k-drama ost. Ali’s Hurt from RP and Carry On from Faith.
As for BJY, I love After a long Time from Rooftop Prince.
I also love osts by Gummy, Ailee and Hyorin. Gosh they are all eargasm!
OST are one of the reasons I really like Kdramas. There are so many good songs and they make kdramas unique.
The honey voice Sikyung mentioned he chose to join MDBC /LITM OST back then since it is a Park Bo Gum drama. So that falls in one of his factors – checking who is the ML. He didn’t get wrong in doing it so because the song Fondly, Gooodye topped the Gaon chart at #3.