Music is a universal language that speaks to heart and souls. Which is why when a K-drama’s storyline is based on music, it makes it that much more enjoyable to watch. There have been a fair share of music-themed K-dramas, but here are just a few to get you started. Happy K-drama watching!
Note: List is in no particular order, and there may be minor spoilers!
1. “Do You Like Brahms?”
Chae Song Ah (Park Eun Bin) is a university student who works very hard to become a violinist. Unfortunately, there are various obstacles in the way that prevent her from attaining her dreams. She meets Park Joon Young (Kim Min Jae) who is a famous pianist and out of her league, yet he takes a strong liking to Song Ah, and the two engage in a sweet romance.
If you haven’t seen a Park Eun Bin or Kim Min Jae drama, then this is the perfect one to watch. The two have a solid repertoire of dramas and are able to really draw their viewers into whatever roles they take on. You’ll find yourself getting sucked into the innocent romance of Song Ah and Joon Young, hoping that they’ll end up together. It’s a realistic love story that tackles the hardships of achieving your dreams and discovering who you really are. Their love story will give you butterflies and break your heart at the same time.
Watch the first episode here:
2. “The Liar and His Lover”
Based on the Japanese manga series, “The Liar and His Lover” is about a very gifted and successful producer named Kang Han Kyul (Lee Hyun Woo) who is known for writing hit songs for a famous boy group called “Crude Play.” Joy plays a poor high school student named Yoon So Rim who was raised by her grandmother. She’s got a beautiful voice and is part of a band with her two friends who play the bass and drums. Yoon So Rim falls in love at first sight with Kang Han Kyul when she randomly passes by him on her bike.
The best part about this series is how adorable Lee Hyun Woo and Joy are together. Their flirtatious gestures and sweet lines to each other are so innocent and cute. You’ll especially take a liking to the OST as Joy partakes in singing a lot of it. The supporting cast is also pretty incredible as they have Song Kang, Sung Joo, Jang Ki Yong, and veteran actor Choi Min Soo!
Start watching this series now:
3. “Dream High”
“Dream High” tells the story of several high school students who aspire to become K-pop idols. Go Hye Mi (Suzy) must convince two other students to come to her school in order for her to get accepted into the program. One of these students is Song Sam Dong, played by Kim Soo Hyun. He is a boy from the countryside who meets Hye Mi and falls in love with her, following her to Kirin Art High School.
Watching “Dream High” is like taking a walk down memory lane. You get to see a lot of well established actors when they were first starting out in their careers. It’s a feel-good drama that has a lot of dancing and singing scenes that will lift your spirits. It’s rare that you get to see so many idols in one drama these days, which is why this particular series is extra special.
You can start watching “Dream High” here:
4. “You’re Beautiful”
“You’re Beautiful” is a classic K-drama starring Jang Geun Suk as Hwang Tae Kyung and Park Shin Hye as Go Mi Nam. Go Mi Nam joins Tae Kyung’s rock group in replacement of her twin brother, but as the other group members slowly catch on that Mi Nam is actually a girl, they start to develop strong feelings for her.
This drama can be considered a classic, especially in the genre of romantic comedy. Not to mention, it has the likes of some very popular idols including Jung Yong Hwa, Lee Hong Ki, and Uee. It’s a very light-hearted, easy watch and it also features a very rare love square that will have your heart skipping a beat several times throughout. If you’re looking for some ridiculous humor, this one will surely put a smile on your face. It’s got everything you could ask for in a rom-com!
You can binge watch this series here:
5. “Page Turner”
“Page Turner” has a cast of very visually appealing stars, which won’t disappoint you. With visuals like Kim So Hyun, Ji Soo, and Shin Jae Ha, you can be sure you won’t get bored. Yoon Yoo Seul (Kim So Hyun), who is under the pressure of her mom, is an aspiring pianist who goes blind in a tragic accident. The best part of this short and sweet drama is the love triangle that ensues between her, Seo Jin Mok (Shin Jae Ha), and Cha Sik (Ji Soo). You’ll want to know who she ends up choosing!
Being only three episodes and having Ji Soo and Kim So Hyun as the leads, you really have nothing to lose. Aside from this great cast, the story of Yoon Yoo Seul going blind but getting the support she needs from friends and loved ones is a heartwarming one. Her ability to adjust to her new life and finding the hope to go on as a character is one that many will be able to sympathize with.
Start the first episode here:
6. “Tomorrow Cantabile”
Yoo Jin (Joo Won) is majoring in piano in hopes of becoming a conductor. But there’s a big problem that is in the way of him becoming one, which is that he can’t get on planes. He is unable to travel to Europe to learn how to become a conductor. One day, he meets Nae Il (Shim Eun Kyung) and she falls madly in love with him.
Shin Eun Kyung is absolutely adorable as the quirky and love struck Nae Il. Seeing how much she’s smitten with Yoo Jin makes the drama so enjoyable to watch. When the two fall in love with each other, there are many romantic scenes that will give you all the butterflies. They have great chemistry and you’ll love seeing Joo Won in a light-hearted rom-com. You’ll melt at how he turns from being such a stickler to a love-struck man.
You can start watching the series now:
7. “Persevere Goo Hae Ra”
Hae Ra (Min Hyo Rin) is a singer who hopes to become famous so she can sing the songs that her late father had written. Along with her two good friends, she auditions for a reality singing program but is unable to win. She reunites with her two friends many years later and they are able to debut together.
Another drama with a cast of some adorable idols who will surely make you smile, “Persevere Goo Hae Ra” is a fun-filled music K-drama. Seeing Min Hyo Rin showcase her adorable aegyo and seeing the love triangle form from the first episode will definitely give you some second-lead syndrome. There’s laughter, tragedy, and song, and it will keep you hooked!
Watch “Persevere Goo Hae Ra” now:
8. “Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol”
Goo Ra Ra (Go Ara) has been playing piano against her own wishes almost her entire life. When she’s finally given the chance to quit, she does so immediately and invests all her time into doing things she couldn’t do before. When she’s left at the alter and her father passes away, Ra Ra has nowhere to go. She ends up in a small village outside of the city and meets Sunwoo Joon (Lee Jae Wook). He ends up lending her money and taking her under his wing.
This series is the newest one on this list but can definitely be considered a music drama. The drama tells the story of Ra Ra (Go Ara) who is a pianist. It follows her journey of playing the piano while hating it to then falling in love with it again. She realizes that her love for the piano was never lost and that she has the power to touch people’s hearts through her skill. This also marks Lee Jae Wook’s first lead role, which we’ve all been eagerly waiting for.
9. “Heartstrings”
“Heartstrings” stars Jung Yong Hwa and Park Shin Hye in a college romance. Lee Shin (Jung Yong Hwa) is the lead singer and guitar player of a band while Lee Kyu Won (Park Shin Hye) majors in traditional Korean music. Kyu Won ends up falling in love with the leader of the band but he doesn’t seem to be interested. When Shin eventually notices Kyu Won and falls in love, Kyu Won is faced with the decision of choosing between her dreams and love.
What makes “Heartstrings” such an enjoyable watch is that it shows different types of music genres. It’s also great to see Park Shin Hye’s character playing the gayageum, which is a traditional Korean instrument. This series does a good job at incorporating this instrument into modern music as well. The OST is full of catchy, sweet, and adorable songs that are sung by Jung Yong Hwa as well as some other idols. And if you were a fan of “You’re Beautiful,” you’ll absolutely love seeing Park Shin Hye and Jung Yong Hwa reunite as lovers!
Start the first episode of “Heartstrings” now:
10. “Trot Lovers”
In “Trot Lovers,” Jang Joon Hyun (Ji Hyun Woo) is a popular singer and songwriter who does not appreciate the trot genre. But then he meets Choi Choon Hee (Jeong Eun Ji) who loves trot music and aspires to become a trot singer. The two form an unlikely alliance and end up falling in love.
Any excuse to see Jeong Eun Ji showcase her incredible vocal skills is a blessing. She’s got natural talent not only with singing but with acting too! Her chemistry with Ji Hyun Woo is undeniable and you’ll also find yourself having second-lead syndrome with Shin Sung Rok. Whether you’re familiar with the trot genre or not, this series will make you fall in love with it as the OST is so catchy. It’ll put you in good spirits!
Check out “Trot Lovers” here:
11. “Entertainer”
Shin Suk Ho (Ji Sung) starts his own entertainment company in hopes of promoting a boy group that he knows will succeed. After Suk Ho gets a DUI, he loses the boy group and is about to go under. He stumbles across a song sung by Ha Neul (Kang Min Hyuk), who had once aspired to be a singer, but because of a brutal rumor is forced to put that dream aside. Ji Sung takes it upon himself to track Ha Neul down and make him a star.
If you like dramas where the underdog prevails, “Entertainer” is a great watch. It takes people who have had difficult pasts together to make beautiful music. The drama shows that mistakes can be made but that they don’t define you. Seeing a lot of familiar faces in the cast further makes it an enjoyable watch. You’ll also love the catchy songs that are sung by Kang Min Hyuk and other artists!
Start watching the drama:
12. “Shut Up! Flower Boy Band”
There is a high school band that is formed with members Joo Byung Hee (Lee Min Ki), Kwon Ji Hyuk (Sung Joon), Lee Hyun Soo (Kim Myung Soo), Jang Do Il (Lee Hyun Jae), Kim Ha Jin (Yoo Min Kyu), and Seo Kyung Jong (Kim Min Seok). They are well-known and popular in the area and are known to have a bit of a bad boy image mainly because of their lead singer, Byung Hee. When tragedy strikes and Byung Hee gets killed in an accident, Ji Hyuk steps up as the main vocalist.
This series touches on death, family, love, and dreams. It’s got all the drama you need packed in one storyline. Although there is a little disappointment with the cameo appearance of Lee Min Ki being too short, the series does pick up and Sung Joon does a great job of carrying the story. You’ll love seeing the band interact with each other and poke fun at each other all throughout the drama. The bromance is undeniably adorable!
Catch the first episode here:
13. “The Best Hit”
Yoo Hyun Jae (Yoon Shi Yoon) was a part of a popular idol group in the ’90s. One day, Hyun Jae disappears and his car is found without his body. What people don’t know is that Hyun Jae has traveled forward in time to 2017. He accidentally meets Woo Seung (Lee Se Young) who helps him while he tries to figure out how to go back in time. He also meets his son, Ji Hoon (Kim Min Jae) who is now an adult.
“The Best Hit” is about a self-absorbed idol who travels into the future, which helps him to realize the important things in life. This drama is memorable not only for the OTP, but also for its themes about family, friendship, and finding your true self. It will make you laugh and cry, and you’ll love seeing Yoon Shi Yoon act as an idol! It’s one drama that can’t be missed.
Check out the series here:
Hey Soompiers, which of these music-themed K-dramas is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
binahearts is a Soompi writer whose ultimate biases are Song Joong Ki and BIGBANG. She is also the author of “K-POP A To Z: The Definitive K-Pop Encyclopedia.” Make sure you follow binahearts on Instagram as she journeys through her latest Korean crazes!
Currently watching: “How Do You Play?,” “Dol Dol Sol Sol La La Sol” and “Record of Youth”
All-time favorite dramas: “Secret Garden,” “Goblin,” “Because This Is My First Life,” “Star In My Heart”
Looking forward to: Won Bin’s return to the small screen
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