Your favorite K-drama OSTs, brought to life
When the pandemic hit, Filipinos found themselves searching for an escape—anything to help pass the time during lockdown and lift the cloud of uncertainty that hung over daily life.
For many, that came in the form of K-dramas, whose absorbing tales and cinematic visuals became dependable sources of entertainment and comfort. But aside from the romantic trysts and ecstatic plot twists, it’s the music that keeps playing and lingering in our heads long after the credits have rolled.
Now, those very songs that once filled our living rooms and kept us company in late-night lockdown binges will take center stage in the upcoming “KOSTCON 2025.”
Set on Aug. 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the concert is a rare gathering of seven well-loved artists known for lending their voices to some of the most iconic K-drama soundtracks.
All-star lineup
Dubbed by some fans as the “OST King,” Chen of the boy band EXO boasts an impressive K-drama discography with such hits as “Everytime” from Descendants of the Sun (DOTS), “Cherry Blossom Love Song” from 100 Days My Prince, and “Best Luck” from “It’s Okay, That’s Love.”
The balladeer Lyn, another OST icon, is best known for “With You,” also from DOTS and “My Destiny” from “My Love from the Star,” which won Best Original Soundtrack at the 2014 Baeksang Arts Awards.
Kim Bum-soo’s “I Miss You” from the early-2000s classic “Stairway to Heaven” encapsulates his soulful depth. K.Will brings his powerful and stirring vocals to “Beautiful Moment” from “The Beauty Inside.” Soyou’s signature warmth deepens the emotional pull of “I Miss You” from “Goblin.”
After rising to OST recognition with “Rain and You” from “Hospital Playlist” season 2, Lee Mu-jin went on to record songs for other dramas like “Now, We Are Breaking Up” and “Business Proposal.”
Heize’s honey-tinged voice effectively captures both melancholy and whimsy in “Can You See My Heart” from “Hotel del Luna” and “Hold Me Back” from “Queen of Tears.”
While some of these artists, like Chen and Heize, have collaborated in the past, bringing all seven together is a first—a tough scheduling juggling act made possible by the entertainment company Random Minds, with the help of the Korean Management Federation (KM), an industry group that regulates entertainment agencies.
“It’s not easy. But thankfully, the artists see the value of doing this event as a way to promote Korean culture— not only through K-beauty or food, but also through dramas and music,” KMF director Lee Myung-gil said at a recent press conference.
Different stages of love
For concept creator David Shin, meanwhile, soundtracks are more than just background music. In the moment, they enhance feel-good scenes and storytelling peaks. But in the long run, they also give a drama staying power, inspiring fans to revisit their favorite episodes—if not the entire series—again and again.
At some point, you might forget specific scenes and lines, but the songs wrapped around those moments have a way of making memories come flooding back.
There’s Si-jin and Mo-yeon’s sweet moments in DOTS, set to EXO Chen’s “Everytime.” Or the aching sense of fate and longing between Kim Shin and Eun-tak in Goblin, made memorable by Heize’s ethereal “Round and Round.”
These unforgettable scenes will come to life onstage, reimagined through a narrative-driven spectacle of sound, lights, and music. Each artist will represent a chapter in a larger story, creating a journey through the different stages of love—from Lee Mu-jin’s take on the innocent thrills of first love to Heize’s reflections on heartbreak.
Footage from the dramas will play on screen, deftly integrated into each musical performance. At key moments, interactive visuals will draw fans into the story, making them feel like the protagonists of the journey unfolding before their eyes.
“It’s as if you’re watching a K-drama live onstage. The production is designed to maximize the emotions. That’s why I call this the world’s most dramatic concert,” Shin quipped, laughing. He added that the show’s repertoire won’t be limited to OSTs; the artists will also get to sing one or two of their own hits.
“Of course, some fans will expect their favorite singers to perform their signature songs,” Shin said. “That way, the show feels like a complete package.”
Transcending barriers
But beyond the romance and drama, K-dramas resonate with fans through stories of resilience. In line with one of its advocacies, KOSTCON plans to honor that spirit by inviting persons with disabilities and differently abled athletes to the show.
“We have a very specific message we want to convey: never give up,” Shin said. “K-drama characters show us that no matter your background or struggles, you can rise above them and go after what you want to achieve. Go for your dreams. You can always be the hero of your own story.”
It’s a sentiment that transcends language and other cultural barriers. Shin believes Korean culture shares many similarities with that of the Philippines or other Asian nations. The dynamics among family, friends, and lovers may seem different at first glance, but end up feeling familiar once you look beneath the surface.
And sometimes, all it takes is a simple song to bring us together. “It’s the core of what we hope to achieve,” Shin said.
