10 Essential Webtoon and Manhwa OSTs for Your Playlist

Snack culture consumption typically aligns with infectious leisure pursuits like webtoons and manhwa. I dig how extensive and thoughtfully constructed they are, stirring us emotionally and inspiring intellectual and imaginative thinking. I will, however, dwell more on their excellent story boosters here—the OSTs.

“Slightly Tipsy” by B1A4’s Sandeul from She is My Type, a webtoon from Daum Comics (now owned by Kakao), is credited as what started it all, citing The Korea Herald. When the song peaked at number two on the Melon charts, right below BTS’s “Dynamite,” webtoon makers and musicians began collaborating actively.

If you’re a webtoon and manhwa fan or just good music in general, check out these: 10 essential webtoon and manhwa OSTs for your playlist.

“Slightly Tipsy” by Sandeul (B1A4) – She Is My Type

The song’s sweeping tone feeds the potential frustration and fear that could accompany a blossoming romance. But it’s also a willingness to be candid about feelings and wishful thinking for a best-case outcome. In its delicate embrace of the tune’s arrangement, Sandeul’s voice breathes life into the delicate, easy melody.

“Stay Alive” by Jung Kook (BTS) – 7 Fates: Chakho

7 Fates: Chakho riffs on the Chakhogapsa, a Joseon Dynasty Korean mythological chapter. A squad of seven young men dubbed the “Chakho” is on the hunt for tigers, or “Beoms.” The song delves into that quest and fights to stay alive in a hazardous setting where tigers and humans frequently clash.

The track is moody, with gorgeous, enigmatic tones that progressively draw attention to Jung Kook’s characteristic vocals. It led to his debut solo entry at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and position 13 on the Global 200 at the time. That gave the webtoon a huge boost in popularity; “Stay Alive” also became the first Korean soundtrack to ever debut on the UK’s Official Singles Chart.

“Night Flower” by Ahn Ye-eun – Painter of the Night

Painter of the Night, an iconic BL webtoon, has “Night Flower” in its third season’s soundtrack. It voices the tragic scenario of Na-kyum, a bright young artist who specializes in sensual portraits of men. He has opted to retire from painting, irrespective of releasing some works under a pen name. Then a young aristocrat, Seung-ho, walks into his life and hires Na-kyum as his painter.

The tune gained popularity much like the webtoon. Ahn Ye-eun’s commanding voice sounds like it’s fueling a grieving, emotional, and intensely romantic plea for release. There is a slim likelihood that the leads will fall in love with each other amid the situation at hand. Still, you feel enthralled by what transpires and are unwilling to give up on them.

“Nobody Else” by Ailee – Under the Oak Tree

On the wedding night, Sir Riftan leaves on a mission, despite Lady Maximilian’s forced marriage to him. They start their official married life when he returns after three years, and they gradually fall for each other deeply.

The way Ailée sings well encapsulates Maximilian’s thoughts and their blossoming relationship as she slowly comes to care for Riftan until she falls madly in love with him. Ailee’s voice enriches the song’s flowing, entwining melody, heightening the tone of the story.

“Midnight Sun” by AleXa – The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway

At first sight, Inés fell in love with the handsome heir to the House of Escalante, Lord Cárcel. Surprisingly, Inés has no problems with his delaying marriage for the next fifteen years, as he isn’t ready for that kind of commitment just yet. Yet, he doesn’t love playing Playboy as much when she lets him and gets bent on winning Inés over and proving to her that he can be the husband she needs.

The arc of “Midnight Sun” is one of aching to be with the lover and confirms that Cárcel has evolved into who Inés has been waiting for. AleXa’s superb singing merges effectively with the melancholy, bringing the underlying pain to the fore.

“In the Novel” by Minnie of (G)I-DLE – It was All a Mistake

Minnie’s exquisite voice adds to this moving melody about Durua Valrose and Nocturne Edgar. Early in the tale, Durua learns that Nocturne will kill her and that she has been reborn as the antagonist. Unaware of his exceptional powers and ability to manipulate people’s thoughts and emotions, she tries to get close to him in her desperation to rewrite her fate.

The harmonious combination of Minnie’s wispy singing and percussive sounds routes us to the airy and enigmatic core of the work.

“Don’t Cry My Love” by Cha Eun-woo (ASTRO) – Under the Oak Tree

Cha Eun-woo‘s title song for the hit RIDI webtoon series Under the Oak Tree implies Riftan’s sincere love and longing for Maximilian. Cha made his global iTunes debut at number 15 with this love ballad.

His tone is so smooth, making for an engrossing listen. If you hear closely enough, you may sense the subjective feelings Cha has infused into the music. That, coupled with the vivid melody and soft piano accompaniment, makes the music roll with unbridled passion.

“Lost Way” by Gaho – Good Doctor

Gaho has an incredible, pitch-perfect singing range. The uniqueness of “Lost Way” is attributed to his immaculate musicality and mighty high notes. 

Park Si-on’s story gets greater scope from this soothing soundscape, thanks to Gaho and a soft acoustic flow. Si-on, who has savant syndrome and autism yet is naturally talented, is hired as a pediatric surgery resident at an academic medical institution. He does, however, encounter the stigmas tied to being an autistic doctor and the power struggles taking place in the hospital.

“Goodbye Now” by TXT – Love Revolution

The group 015B originally released “Goodbye Now” in 1991. It remains a huge hit in Korea to this day and is still used as a stand-in song for graduation ceremonies there. TXT infuses freshness into the song while preserving its essence and delving into the pangs of saying goodbye to someone you love.

It accounts for the uneasiness of meeting someone for the first time while also looking at the meaning of life’s journey, especially our relationships, experiences, and memories.

“만개화” (“Full Bloom”) by Ahn Ye-eun – Return of the Blossoming Blade.

A century later, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect, Cheongmyeong, regains his consciousness and recalls an altercation with the evil Cheonma, the Demonic Cult’s head. He died as a result of losing the battle. All isn’t lost, though, since when he wakes up, life gives him a second shot. Seeing Mount Hua has been degraded to little more than a ghost of its former grandeur, Cheongmyeong takes on a mission to reclaim it back to its past glory.

The OST amplifies Cheongmyeong’s plight and gives the emotions an extra palpable effectiveness, portraying him in the untenable circumstances that he is soaked in.