K-Drama Flashback: Five OSTs from Five Hits of Lee Min-ho

The key thing to remember about Lee Min-ho is that he is at his absolute best when exchanging swoon-worthy moments with the heroine. He never fails to take over the screen with his intense charisma and stirring displays. Lee is desirable, manly, stylish, audacious, and funny, and yet he also offers genuine compassion, which comes through in his romantic scenes. This flashback post highlighting some of his super-popular romance dramas and five timeless OSTs from them is dedicated to that and his allure.

“Stand by Me” by SHINee from Boys Over Flowers (2009)

Boys Over Flowers‘ pompous rich brat Gu Jun-pyo (Lee Min-ho) develops feelings for Geum Jan-di (Koo Hye-sun), a girl of moderate means. Because of his environment and isolation, he turns into the obnoxious teenager he is. His shattered ego makes him turn to her even more because of Jan-di’s persistent rejection of Jun-pyo’s bullying and disdain for his fame, and what he initially perceived as hostility grows into love.

The exquisite SHINee eloquently conveys the nuances of the protagonists’ blossoming romance in this classic song that appears when Jun-pyo is steadily falling for Jan-di in the initial phase of the series. The video above features SHINee’spopular stage rendition of the OST (I wish we had an official music video from the drama as well). It is a beautiful romantic ballad addressing first love or the emotions one goes through during that period. It is passionate, sonically dynamic, and soulful.

“Can’t Believe It” by Younha from Personal Taste (2010)

In this acclaimed romantic comedy, Park Kae-in (Son Ye-jin), a furniture designer who lives alone in her father’s hanok (traditional Korean house) and struggles with finances, seeks a roommate. At this point, architect Jeon Jin-ho (Lee Min-ho) moves in and starts renting out a part of her home, giving Kae-in the impression that he is gay. Despite having divergent personal tastes, their acquaintanceship eventually develops into love.

Kae-in and Jin-ho’s relationship is captured in the sweet score “Can’t Believe” by Younha. The video for the song is a montage of several endearing exchanges between the two characters, starting from the first time we see her as a warm but awkward mess through to the times when the guy moves in and things start to change: a shift in circumstances and a shift in attitudes. Younha’s bright vocals effectively accentuate the portrayal of events and are in perfect sync with the drama’s tone.

“Suddenly” by Kim Bo-kyung from City Hunter (2011)

In order to inflict pain on the authorities for executing everyone in his father’s unit, Lee Yoon-sung (Lee Min-ho) receives training from his father’s closest ally. He joins the Blue House as a member of the National Communication Network Team and meets Kim Na-na (Park Min-young), a bodyguard. Na-na chooses to participate in his plot of retaliation after realizing that they share the same objective.

Kim Bo-kyung’s powerplay makes this OST from City Hunter stand out. Her explosive performance vividly conveys the profound love that Lee Yoon-sung and Kim Na-na share for each other. The music propels the situation even further as the actors flawlessly capture intangible emotions. It is brimming with sentiments that are fueled by the power of love.

“You Are My World” by Yoon Mi-rae from The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)

The Legend of the Blue Sea is a typical case of a fantasy romance K-drama, which examines the feasibility of a Joseon-era mermaid in modern-day Seoul. Mermaid Shim Cheong (Jun Ji-hyun) and conman Heo Joon-jae (Lee Min-ho) are at the center of the plot, which relies on legend, forbidden love, and reincarnation.

With the money he made from his con jobs, Joon-jae goes to Spain. There, he encounters a bizarre woman in his hotel room. He keeps dragging her along with him during a pursuit when some killers chase him. To escape, they end up stranded on a ledge overlooking the sea. The woman (actually a mermaid) kisses Joon-jae after they plunge into the ocean, promising to follow him and erase his memories.

“You Are My World,” the track by singer Yoon Mi-rae, epitomizes the events above. It is a delicate yet intense love song – a yearning for love, made even more potent by a fantastic solo.

“Orbit” by Hwasa from The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

King Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) of the Kingdom of Corea confronts cop Jeong Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun) as he enters the Republic of Korea (a parallel universe). With the help of an identification card he had when his father was killed as a child, he identifies the woman. Lee Rim (Lee Jung-jin), Lee Gon’s half-uncle and the killer of Lee Ho (Lee Gon’s father), is now in hiding and amassing troops while traveling between the two alternate realities.

Hwasa’s (MAMAMOO) “Orbit” features a spectacular and opulent ambiance that is particular to the drama’s events. It is a track that reflects an enigma, transcends realities, and pledges a commitment to guard the one you love. In addition, it has a hip-hop groove and a mystical yet robust guitar tone. Hwasa’s passionate and commanding vocals create an impact that is in keeping with the show’s grand scope and the unfolding of a fantasy romance.