2022 is almost coming to a close, which means now is the perfect time to look back at the year in review. When it comes to K-Dramas, the industry has seen unprecedented success this year, with several international accolades and awards coming its way. One of the most crucial contributors to a K-Drama's immersion is the OST.

A colossal amount of hard work goes into creating the perfect OST. Of course, that includes the featuring artists, their interpretation of the emotions the OST is trying to convey, the lyrics of the songs, the genre, style, and flair, but also the music editing, production value, composition, music direction, mixing, arrangement and so on and so forth.

Each song on an OST has a very unique purpose, and the fulfillment of the drama's intention is hinged on the same. Even the slightest misplaced tune can drastically change the narrative. At the same time, the coherence of the complete OST is what evokes the essence of the drama. You might have one or two songs stuck in your head, but what truly brings out the ethos of the story is the unity of it all. After all, when it comes to soundtracks, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

With that said, let's celebrate some of the best OSTs of 2022 with due appreciation for all the artists who worked hard on the same and discuss what makes them so special.

Here are the top 10 best K-Drama OSTs of 2022!

Note: This list is based on the complete OST of a particular K-Drama taken as a whole rather than individual songs on the OST. It is our ranking, but you can vote for your own favorite OST in the poll at the end of the article. As this poll is meant for readers to vote on and share their opinion whenever they find the article, it will not be closed, and no result article will be published.

 

 

1. "Pachinko"

Contributing Artists: Nico Muhly, The Grass Roots, Talking Heads, BaBe, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Luamel, Tetsuji Hayashi, Dieter Reith, Andrea Monorchio & Gun Kawamura, OXZ, Shep Fields And His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra, Hibiki Kaoru, LEENALCHI, Dan Mangan. 

Prevalent Mood: Fated change, Overwhelming emotion, Timelessness, Joie de vie.

Rank Rationale: "Pachinko" is easily one of the greatest dramas of 2022 and, inarguably, will remain legendary for years down the line. This historical saga of love and loss, betrayal, and belonging is told with the help of the most poignant soundtrack that posits an immeasurable joy against the backdrop of endless struggle and crisis. It stands for the bliss and pain of survival, often both at the same time, and helps to forge a deep connection with the characters and perhaps even the viewer's own life. It is irreplaceable and magnificent, to say the least, and undoubtedly deserves the top spot.

 

2. "Twenty-Five Twenty-One"

Contributing Artists: NCT's TaeIl, Bae KiSung, BIBI, Wonstein, SEVENTEEN's DK, TWICE's JiHyo, Kim TaeRi, Nam JooHyuk, WJSN's BoNa, Choi HyunWook, Lee JooMyung, Xydo, Seol HoSeung of SURL.

Prevalent Mood: Fleeting youth, Intensity, Fearlessness, Catharsis.

Rank Rationale: The OST of "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" is characterized by the opulence of all emotions. It is immense, overwhelming, and bubbling with passion, almost as if the cup of youth is welling over. Yet, just as it threatens to spill, representing transcience at its purest, it also denotes a carefree vitality - one that can only be felt in the slight margin between doe-eyed dreams and worldly reality. This is the core of "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" and the OST does an excellent job of capturing the same.

 

3. "Our Blues"

Contributing Artists: Kim YeonJi, Heize, 10cm, BTS JiMin, Ha SungWoon, Davichi, Girls' Generation's TaeYeon, MeloMance, STAYC, Punch, aespa's Winter & NingNing.

Prevalent Mood: Nostalgia, Melancholy, Bittersweet, Light at the end of the tunnel.

Rank Rationale: One of the most memorable K-Dramas of 2022, "Our Blues" is our ensemble dream come true. It is defined as an omnibus-format drama, but the thread of continuity that weaves the different stories together is what makes it such a brilliant watch. The same principle holds true for its OST. It reflects a rainbow of emotions - all of which are born from the same nerve of oneness. There are a number of different genres in this OST, just like the different seasons, but there's undeniable parallelism here, and that is where the charm of the "Our Blues" OST lies.

 

4. "Anna"

Contributing Artists: Devin (데 빈), Noh JongHeon, Bae YoungHyun (& Cesare Pugni through the use of 'La Esmeralda: Female Variation')

Prevalent Mood: Cruel providence, Mischief, Power, The last laugh.

Rank Rationale: Coupang Play must have a stellar Music Team because its penchant for delivering the most impactful OSTs is out of this world. After "One Ordinary Day" last year, 2022 brought us "Anna" - a masterful meditation on greed, power, and identity, amplified by an outstanding OST. Underlined by Pugni's 'La Esmeralda: Female Variation', the "Anna" OST is haunting but with a twisted sense of fun. It spirals into unstoppable chaos, but there's a touch of order to this madness that puts everything in place, right where it should never be but where it absolutely belongs, strangely enough. The unsettled feeling you get when you're watching "Anna" is exactly the same effect its OST/BGM has on a listener.

 

5. "Extraordinary Attorney Woo"

Contributing Artists: Nell, sunwoojunga, O3ohn, Wonstein, Suzy, Park EunBin, Maytree, Noh YoungShim, KOOW, Yoo JongHyun, Daniel Lee, Jo NamWook, Cho ByungHyun.

Prevalent Mood: Magical, Courageus, Dreamy, Romantic.

Rank Rationale: There's only one word that can perfectly describe the OST of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" - enchanting. With the bounce and beauty of the story as its foundation, this OST is, quite literally, a musical rendition of the drama. This is the kind of OST that brings memories of the drama flooding back when you listen to it and that alone speaks volumes of its quality. You can almost see your favorite scenes vividly flashing in front of your eyes! Such is the power of the "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" OST and huge props are due to the amazing artists who brought it to life.

 

6. "Weak Hero Class 1"

Contributing Artists: Primary (Producer), Meego, Boi B, Banzamin, HAN.

Prevalent Mood: Lonely, Wistful, Defiant, Stream of consciousness.

Rank Rationale: Despite being an action-dominant series, the OST for "Weak Hero Class 1" elicits a deep sense of empathy and loss of innocence. The slow, heavy trodding of the opening, stands in for the system of oppression and violence that holds one back from realizing their true potential. By the time we get to the closing, this forfeit in the face of society translates into rage and resistance, perfectly encapsulating the journey of the drama itself. Needless to say, this OST is an outstanding work of art.

 

7. "Link: Eat, Love, Kill"

Contributing Artists: O3ohn, (G)I-DLE's Minnie, Kimmuseum, SEVENTEEN's SeungKwan, Janet Suhh, MeloMance, Rothy.

Prevalent Mood: Serendipity, Uncertainty, Deep love, Inevitability.

Rank Rationale: The OST of "Link: Eat, Love, Kill" is the perfect example of how music can bring a genre to life. With the drama itself being a mix of romance, mystery, and crime thriller, the OST echoes the same fusion. We get elements of childlike wonder, longing, suspense, anticipation, denouement - the whole shebang! As a matter of fact, this OST has a certain "musical theatre" quality to it which is not only rare but also wonderfully executed. Now, that's what we call an unforgettable K-Drama OST.

 

8. "Business Proposal"

Contributing Artists: MeloMance, Lee MuJin, VICTON, Movning, GOT7's BamBam, SECRET NUMBER, Weeekly's JiHan & Park SoEun, Song HaYea, THE BOYZ's New, Moon SuJin, Kim SeJeong.

Prevalent Mood: Euphoria, Excitement, Innocence, Happily ever after.

Rank Rationale: Nothing beats the heart-fluttering, giggly brightness of a romantic comedy OST, and "Business Proposal" delivers exceptionally on that front. This drama was easily one of the most happy, light-hearted, and charming K-Dramas of the year, and the OST achieved iconic status during its runtime. Years down the line, when you tune into the "Business Proposal" OST, you'll once again find yourself transported to a world without woes, where love is true and sweet. If that's not the magic of a perfect OST, we don't know what is!

 

9. "Alchemy Of Souls"

Contributing Artists: Car, the Garden, Kassy, Jeong SeWoon, Gummy, Shin YongJae, Kim NaYoung, BIG Naughty.

Prevalent Mood: Destiny, Us against the world, Larger than life, Eternal.

Rank Rationale: If there's anything that defines the OST of "Alchemy Of Souls", it is the word - epic. From the grand scale to the delicate details, everything about this OST is sheer, luminous artistry. It has the power to trigger the deepest, even the most hidden emotions in our hearts and relate them to the characters we see on screen, enhancing the viewing experience manifold. It is also a great tool to help us connect to the narrative on a core level and, thus, interpret it in our own ways. The "Alchemy Of Souls" OST is a masterclass in tonal resonance, and it is absolutely spectacular.

 

10. "Semantic Error"

Contributing Artists: Coldin, Baek SeungBeum, Choi SoRin, Park JiHye, Oh HeeJoon, Shin YouJin, Jo SeongBeen.

Prevalent Mood: Playful, Curious, Determined, 8-bit.

Rank Rationale: This list wouldn't be valid without the inclusion of one of the most revolutionary K-Dramas of 2022 - "Semantic Error". One of the major factors that added to the grand success of "Semantic Error" was its unique OST. Not only does the BGM precisely mirror the mood of the show, down to the most intricate 8-bit game-inspired sounds, but it also brings out a sense of play, almost as if we're right by our characters' sides, following their romantic pursuits. Through chase and challenge, our perception is constantly guided and our efforts rewarded, and that is where the gratification of this OST lies.

 

Check out the graphic chart below for an overview of the top 10 K-Drama OSTs of 2022!

 

What other K-Drama OSTs would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section down below!