K-Drama OSTs for Your Cafe Adventures
K-dramas are undoubtedly one of the best things that have happened to us, fans of the Korean culture. From those that deal with lighthearted stories of romance to those that talk about the real issues we as a generation face, we love them all. Although the characters we see on our screens are absolutely charming, our ears are blessed by the soundtracks that these masterpieces come with. Surely we have ourselves a special playlist dedicated to several of these popular original soundtracks (OSTs) that we listen to all the time. What if we tell you there are cafes perfect for all your favorite OSTs?
Surprised? Well, don’t be because Seoul comes with many interesting cafes that will definitely make your Korea experience worthwhile. Let’s relive our favorite dramas through their OSTs whilst we explore some unique cafes!
- “Another Day” by Monday Kiz and Punch from Hotel Del Luna (호텔 델루나)
IU is back again with a new drama but this time she is playing a role slightly different from what we have seen her do before. Hotel Del Luna is a hotel just for ghosts. The concept of this drama is as fresh as their soundtrack, sung by Monday Kiz and Punch. The soundtrack manages to capture the feeling of the characters: a supposedly immortal and lonely CEO, and an elite hotelier who happened to stumble upon a very foreign environment. The song is dreamy and melancholic, and is matched with the right rhythm.
You would think Seoul has enough themed cafes, but wouldn’t you know, Monster Cupcake Cafe is going above and beyond to foster a spooky (but most definitely cute) theme with their cupcakes. Just like the drama, the cafe can come off as scary at first only to warp you into an adorable and lovely world.
- “Stay with Me” by Chanyeol and Punch from Goblin (도깨비)
Are you over this drama, yet? We are definitely not! Goblin tugged on our heartstrings and left us a little empty. However, the soundtrack helped our wounds heal a little bit faster. Chanyeol and Punch did an excellent job at capturing the whole narrative in just a three-minute song. The song starts slow, leading up to Chanyeol’s rap, much like the story in itself.
Cafe Onion happens to be among the famous cafes in Seoul that should be on your list. Its popularity has skyrocketed so much that there are two new outlets that opened recently. One of the outlets is by the Gyeongbukgung Palace and is styled like a hanok, a traditional Korean house. The wooden floors, open backyard and delicious goods all point out to the fact that with the Goblin OST playing in the background, you might as well teleport to the world of grim reapers, gods and a painful love story.
- “The Night” by Eric Nam from Encounter (남자친구)
Encounter, a story of love and despair, managed to capture the tiniest of the details so carefully, making it almost too beautiful to watch. All the characters and their struggles were presented to us beautifully amidst soulful soundtracks like “The Night” by Eric Nam. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit in a cafe with your loved ones listening to soft music?
Cafe Tajagi might be the perfect place for just that! Imagine slow music, breathtaking views and the sound of typewriters. Perfect for long conversations and a healing time just for yourself, this cafe will help you gain back all your lost energy just how the drama did!
- “Milky Way Between Us” by O3ohn from Search: WWW (검색어를 입력)
Office dramas can never go wrong! Search: WWW comes with strong female characters who don’t shy away from putting up a fight. All the characters are shown having their unique narratives filled with their own battles and of course, love stories. Condensing all these complicated feelings into one song sure is not an easy task but this OST exceeds all our expectations!
The lives we lead today can be overbearing, as is rightly shown in the drama, but it does have its own perks. As you fight your own battles and run to meet responsibilities, stop and relax. Cafe Ediya is perfect for your breaks! The refreshingly sweet drinks complement the soothing environment Cafe Ediya has to offer. Sit back and relax!
- “Hyewadong” by Park Boram from Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988)
Ending with a classic, Reply 1988 is one of the three dramas from the Reply series. Watching a long-gone generation from the perspectives of five childhood best friends can make anyone feel nostalgic and reminiscent of a foreign time. What more, the songs only add on to that feeling with their heartwrenching lyrics. “Hyewadong” will remind you of your childhood friend and get you to make phone calls you forgot to make in the hustle and bustle of life.
Seoul Coffee pays homage to '80s and '90s Seoul by attempting to recreate a similar setting. Using decade-old preserved items, the cafe stands as a gateway between the present and what we know to be our past. Visiting Seoul Cafe might show you glimpses of five friends gathered around making memories of love, friendship, and the everyday.
K-dramas continue to be our best friends through life and their songs have become our background music. Visiting these cafes can make you feel like you are part of another world and that can be a great feeling from time to time.
Which is your favorite OST? What are you binge-watching lately? Tell us down in the comments below!
Cover Image: Hotel Del Luna (tvN)
Written by Sayantani Banerjee
