K-dramas and music have been closely related for ages. It is a place for soloists to shine and for vocalists to find their recognition. However, have you ever watched K-dramas that are about the music itself? Look no further. Below are 10 K-Dramas that are closely related to music, and every soul that enjoys music will find joy and comfort in them. Through these dramas, we get to know the hearts of the artists and their deeply affectionate relationship with their art, their music, and their instruments.
1. Heartstrings
Heartstrings is a K-drama released in 2011. The background is a Korean performing arts university. Both leads study at the same university, but they master different instruments. Lee Gyuwon, played by Park Shin Hye, studies traditional Korean music, while Lee Shin, played by Jung Yonghwa, studies Western music and is a member of a rock band. The story has an enemies-to-lovers type of progression, and it is sometimes sweet, angsty, and sometimes bitter. In essence, it is called melodramatic. This drama is a classic, and most K-Drama fans start with it due to its sheer popularity.
2. Do You Like Brahms?
Starring Park Eunbin and Kim Minjae, this drama was released in 2020 and continues to be one of the highest-rated (9.3/10) on the streaming site Viki. It is about the world of classical music—this is the title, 'Do You Like Brahms?' It is mellow. There are happy moments and sad moments. The love between the leads takes up a big chunk of the story, but the main idea of the story is daring to reach for dreams vs. giving up on dreams. It's a love story between a renowned prodigy who is both disliked and sought after for his talents and a woman who realised her love for the violin a little too late and is constantly humiliated for pursuing it now. The story allows us to realise the heart of artists and the way some can only confess their feelings through music.
3. The Liar And His Lover
This is Red Velvet's Joy's debut film as a lead actress, and his co-lead is Kang Hankyeol. It is a love story between two musicians—one who is young and is on the cusp of entering the music industry, and the other is a renowned producer who hides his face and identity. The producer falls in love with the young artist's voice, and she becomes his muse. The story is a soft, musical journey through a love story between the two that develops slowly with multiple hurdles in between. It also reveals the truth about the music and production industries.
4. Page Turner
The role of a page-turner is to keep up with the pace of the musician as they turn the pages of their music score. This drama stars Kim Sohyun, Ji Soo, and Shin Jaeha. It is just a 3-episode-long K-Drama and very tragic. Yoo Seul is a piano prodigy who gets into a tragic accident. While battling her life, she is also about to lose music forever because she goes blind. However, her rival, Jin Mok, guides her back to her life, teaching her to learn all her skills all over again. Page Turner is a one-of-a-kind coming-of-age story about fighting for life and dreams.
5. Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol
The K-Drama was released in October 2020, starring Lee Jaewook and Go Ara. It is a love story between a pianist who never took her skills seriously. Once her family goes bankrupt and her only family dies, she is left to fend for herself. She finally realises that it is her piano that can save her. Slowly, she opens a piano academy in a rural town and falls in love with a mysterious but warm-hearted man.
6. Dream High
Dream High is a drama where most K-pop idols make their acting debut. It is about a performing arts high school in Korea where every student dreams of debuting as an idol. The story is about friendships and the tough realities of becoming an idol. It deals with how such young individuals are learning harsh truths about life, all for the sake of a dream they are unsure of. The leads of the drama are Bae Suzy and Kim Soohyun. It stars many currently famous K-pop names like IU, Hyolin, and Park Jinyoung (JYP).
7. Trot Lovers
We've heard of classical music, K-rnb, and K-pop. However, one very famous music genre enjoyed by older generations now is trot. This 2014 drama is about a singer who wishes to flourish in the genre and a producer who hates it more than anything. The series tried to showcase how distaste for the genre stems from arrogance and prejudice. It is just like any other music genre that can bring people happiness.
8. Shut Up: Flower Boy Band
Music is supposed to be free of discrimination because it is an art. However, most people fail to realise this— letting personal feelings judge the music and the musicians. Shut Up: The Flower Boy Band is a story about a group of five boys. These boys attend an elite school where they want to start their band. However, at the school, they suffer from heavy discrimination. The story shows various trials and tribulations of teenage life with dreams, uncertainty, and friendships.
9. Beethoven Virus
Beethoven Virus is a South Korean drama involving a love triangle between three individuals who come together because of music. The leads are Kim Myungmin, Lee Jiah, and Jang Keunsuk. Due to financial constraints, the female lead, Du Rumi, organises an orchestra where all players will play for free. All players have had pains surrounding music because they could not pursue it, just like De Rumi. The story is heartwarming; it shows how music can create bonds stronger than family.
10. Entertainer
Entertainer is a show that deals a lot with the showbiz world rather than the actual music. It is about the intrigues, scandals, and ill feelings brewing within celebrities and how ugly it is behind the scenes. The story deals with a man who once tried to start his own entertainment company. However, he was caught up in the schemes of those around him and realised how hard it is to manage such a business. He even had to go to prison. However, with the help of a talented high schooler, he can emerge into the world of entertainment and management once again after being released. The leads in the series are Ji Sung, Lee Hyeri, Kang Mjnhyuk, and Chae Jungan.
