August OST Roundup: Marriage, Not Fated to Discover Trot

A crazy, crazy month for OSTs, with It’s Okay That’s Love releasing a total of five tracks, Fated to Love You and Marriage Not Dating delivering a couple each. As I’m currently following a ton of dramas, it struck me how much more I appreciate the soundtracks when I’m actually watching the series, compared to when I hear it as a lone track without the context. I realized, the fact that I have it drilled into my head during the most emotional peaks of the drama increases my attachment to the song. That said, a lot of the tracks released this month are pretty impressive even as standalones and serve as great additions to the artists’ resumes.

Yoon Mirae‘s “I Love You”, It’s Okay That’s Love OST

The last time Yoon Mirae sung an OST was “Touch Love” for Master’s Sun, which turned out to be quite the phenomenal hit, topping charts for weeks after its release. While “I Love You” doesn’t have the same addictive flow of the melody, Yoon’s vocals are always a delight for the ears, and it’s no different this time. Her phrasing, intonation, and texture of her voice are unique and precise, and they complement this soothing tune perfectly.

Wheesung‘s “For You”, It’s Okay That’s Love OST

My first thought when I heard this track was “this is such a Wheesung song,” especially with the slow buildup to the grandiose emotional peak. The quiet verses with the heavy drum-filled chorus change things up for what might have been a typical track, and as usual Wheesung’s vocals and emotive abilities hit it out of the ballpark. It’s Okay has been pulling some pretty big names for its OST album with very satisfactory tunes, and I wouldn’t be shocked if the album sells exceptionally well.

Ailee‘s “Goodbye My Love”, Fated to Love You OST

A beautiful song with touching lyrics. While Ailee’s vocal prowess is known for its range and power, I was really glad that she tones it down a little here. The sweet and gentle tone of her voice suits the drama much better, although we are still occasionally treated to her impressive high notes. Fated is another drama with a decent list of quality OSTs, ranging from light-hearted to heart-breaking, and it’s definitely worth checking out.

Ji Hyun-woo‘s “All Day”, Trot Lovers OST

A stripped-down instrumental featuring solid vocals is probably my favourite type of release ever. Formerly the lead guitarist of The Nuts, the actor’s musical abilities are not unexpected, but his honeyed singing voice comes as a pleasant revelation. And as always, it’s always a delight to hear the actors themselves participate in the OST production.

Son Ho-young & Danny Ahn‘s “One Day”, Marriage Not Dating OST

It’s really great to see g.o.d back in action in the music industry, releasing albums, and even participating in OSTs. While maknae Kim Tae-woo is a common feature in the OST world, his two teammates have finally collaborated to do the same. Alongside the reverberating vocals, the rap initially seems out of place, but I like how the accerlerando pace of it reflects the sentiment of the lyrics.

Han-byul‘s (LEDApple) “Call My Name”, Marriage Not Dating OST

I generally really enjoy Han-byul’s OST releases since it’s a chance to get a glimpse of the much-underrated LEDApple, so it was actually quite a happy surprise to see him release this. “Call My Name” has a hint of LEDApple’s rock roots, and of course, main vocalist Han-byul grounds it with his raw and passionate high-pitched voice. I can’t pinpoint exactly what draws me in, but it’s definitely a song that could feature as a LEDApple single.

Sweet Sorrow‘s “Nothing Special”, Discovery of Romance OST

“Nothing Special” is the best example of how watching the drama has increased my love for the song. The clapping at the start of the song serves as a well-placed lead-in to the whimsical and laidback nature of the song. And it’s just such a cute happy song that it never fails to put a smile on my face.

So readers, which are some of your favourite OSTs of the month?