Top 5 K-Drama OSTs That Became More Famous Than the Dramas

Discover K-Drama OSTs that outshined their own shows.
From viral ballads to global chart-toppers.
Music that lives on beyond the drama.

When a Korean drama airs, one of the most captivating elements besides the story and acting is the original soundtrack (OST). Sometimes, the theme song ends up becoming far more popular than the drama itself, turning into an anthem on music platforms and endlessly covered on social media. This phenomenon proves that the power of music can surpass a drama’s performance. Here are five K-Drama OSTs that went viral and achieved massive success, even though their dramas weren’t as iconic as the songs.

1. “Stay With Me” – Chanyeol & Punch (Goblin, 2016)

The drama Goblin was already popular, but its first OST release skyrocketed into a global phenomenon, even among people who had never seen the series. The combination of Punch’s soft vocals and Chanyeol EXO’s emotional rap made this song timeless on K-pop and K-drama playlists. Many netizens said they discovered Goblin because the track went viral on YouTube and international music platforms first.

2. “Sweet Night” – V BTS (Itaewon Class, 2020)

Although Itaewon Class was a hit, the popularity of “Sweet Night” by V BTS far outshone the drama. The song topped iTunes in over 100 countries and became one of the most globally successful K-drama OSTs ever. Many ARMYs admitted they never watched the drama but still downloaded and streamed the track because of its warm and personal vibe.

3. “Say Yes” – Loco & Punch (Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 2016)

Scarlet Heart Ryeo had a loyal audience but wasn’t a massive domestic rating success. However, the OST “Say Yes” became widely loved, especially on international streaming platforms, and is frequently used in couple edits on TikTok and Instagram.

4. “Everytime” – Chen EXO & Punch (Descendants of the Sun, 2016)

Descendants of the Sun was a cultural hit, but this OST has had an even longer-lasting impact. “Everytime” remains a fixture on Korean music charts and is frequently used as background music in variety shows even now. Many people first heard the song on social media before realizing it was from the military romance starring Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo.

5. “Once Again” – Mad Clown & Kim Na Young (Descendants of the Sun, 2016)

Also from the same drama, “Once Again” became one of the most frequently covered karaoke songs and a favorite soundtrack for romantic social media videos. The track built a life of its own, with many younger listeners calling it a “classic heartbreak song” without knowing its original scene context.

The phenomenon of OSTs overshadowing their dramas highlights the strength of Korea’s music industry in reaching global audiences. Many people end up watching dramas after falling in love with the theme songs, while others enjoy the music without feeling the need to follow the story. This trend shows how K-Drama and K-Pop continually reinforce each other in the Korean entertainment ecosystem.

Source: Gaon/Korea Music Content Association data, global iTunes charts, netizen discussions on X/Twitter and K-Drama forums