about TLE: there is also another epic music that's not in the OST, in case anyone is still looking for it:
few other TLE music:
and this one feels emotional for me at 1:00
liked a few others but they didn't get released.
On your list, "Betrayal" music is my favorite. I think you won't be disappointed when I post other music that is in the same style.W two worlds Season 2:
the music composers of The Promise also composed the BGM for Left Handed Wife, some people disliked LHW it's rated low here but I loved it lol I felt the similar makjang on steroids from watching TLE... I get addicted to watching makjangs/melodramas! why do I usually like the unpopular dramas no one cares about :/
I am now presenting one of the best BGM records to my knowledge.
"Sandglass", an iconic drama from 1995, the fourth highest rating in Korean history, peaking at 64.7%. When the drama aired, the streets were deserted.
Composed by Choi Kyung Sik, the soundtrack was not copied, and retains its unique qualities. You can't find this kind of music on today's dramas anymore.
The music creates an indefinable atmosphere, beyond sadness and tragedy. Nostalgic or melancholic, it's impossible to define with words, and it's better to just listen. The whole drama is bathed in this atmosphere and is of a raw, unrefined and very deep sadness. One can only imagine that all this music sounds like the ashes of a dead man scattered in the wind.
OST Sandglass - Main Theme
OST Sandglass - Tae Soo's Theme
And my favorite composition:
OST Sandglass - Yesterday's Tomorrow - Woo Suk's Theme
I am now presenting my favourite BGM record in the classical music genre.
Hwang Jin Yi.
The record is of extreme density: by that I mean that it contains distinctive music of absolute quality, and in very large numbers. Music that is not only beautiful in the drama, but that can be listened to as one would listen to a Chopin record. This is rare, especially when the genre is classical music, since often classical background music is primarily functional.
A large number of musics are declined in instrumental or sung versions, or with choirs. So I'll post my favorite version for each one. Some songs actually look more like background music compositions, than OST songs themselves.
The dance of crane.
The last part of this composition is actually this:
Hae Uh Hwa. Song version. This is the Main Title of the drama.
Yet another version, with a different musical intro, and the last part with choirs instead of singing:
The dance of the sword
This gives an idea of the wide variety of different versions and arrangements that can be made from a single title on the OST disc. The disc is fatally reductive of what can be heard in the drama.
Ya Hwa.
My favourite composition, it reminds me of the main music of "Once upon a time the revolution" by Ennio Morriconne.
Another version, used in the drama with a different intro, and which I prefer the rise in tension: the passage going from 00:15 to 00:32.
Ung Kwi Ba Ram.
A violinist who liked this piece plays it (it's karaoke violin):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX6Xh-SWwQ4
Nabbeun Saram (Bad person). I prefer the singing version here.
Look At Me. Here too, I prefer the singing version.
꽃날 (The day of the flower).
One enthusiast offers his version on the piano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPIrkAHBZjk
Musicians from the conservatory performing this piece:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDKZuNx5GpY
Je Ae.
Heartless Flower. It is also my favourite composition. Not only is the music beautiful, but it also reflects the sadness of the main character, her sad destiny.
Musicians performing this piece (maybe students), the tempo is slow and the sound unfortunately very bad. But it's always interesting to see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih23zdeCTCI
I already wanted to see "The Promise" because daily drama is the only way to see an actress like Park Ha Na. But with this good music, it makes me want to do it even more!
Children of Nobody: well seen for the correspondence with the anime Death Note (or Kaiji, by the same composer).
I'm in the middle of watching The Promise (at around 50 episodes now) and also her currently airing drama Fatal Promise, but I'm more attached to the plot/characters of The Promise. There's also a rap version of "Betrayal" music, I was surprised when it started playing in one of the later episodes 0_0 I've always wanted to see a k-drama version of Death Note, I'm imagining it'd be on OCN or MBC. I haven't seen Signal yet but some of the music does interest me into watching it... but first I'm pretty excited to binge on The World of the Married, since it's ending next week! There's hardly any makjang dramas nowadays unless it's a daily/family drama.
I miss these good old makjang BGM
now this one's not that old (Uncontrollably Fond) but the first 30 seconds of it reminded me of The Innocent Man? the song is supposed to be longer with piano in the first half but the uploader cut it short
Hotel King doesn't have a ghost story!
I don't remember all the details of the story. It starts with the suspicious death of the hotel owner. So his daughter and heiress comes to the hotel, and the atmosphere is really very suspicious. Dark past, assassination attempt, disturbing characters, buried secrets, power struggle. Obviously, heroin is not welcome in her hotel!
The musical version of "The promise" is actually better, but I don't like rap so that's an obvious opinion. It's a pity that the piano sound at the beginning is not used afterwards.
I continue with BGM.
Empress KI!
Main Theme
This music immediately creates shivers, and you hear it very often in the drama.
From 00:50 onwards, there is a nice dramatic surge.
I love this whole theme. It has many different parts. The beginning can be used in a scene to create a thrill. The middle in imperial and grandiose scenes.
There's a bit too much spoiler in the MV, but I think it's well done. The youtuber put a filter that reinforces the contrast and gives a sad and tired aspect to the characters. And of course, he chose only sad and tragic scenes.
Opening Title
It's not the style of music I like, but it's so played that I've gotten used to it. There are a lot of variations throughout the piece, which are used in various scenes. The beginning of the theme has a grandiose side to it that hints at a more exciting drama than Game of Thrones.
Thorne Love.
That's the song used in the end credits. So not exactly a BGM, then. Besides, when the song is used during the drama, it doesn't go down well. On the other hand, as credits, it's perfect.
Empress Ki - I Love You.
Conversely, this song is very good as a BGM song. There's an instrumental version.
I'll stop there with the songs, because on the whole, the majority of the songs are good. Some bits here and there are rearranged and used in BGM. Some whole songs go very well.
Even though it's one of my Top dramas, I don't like the other BGMs as music to listen to. But it's effective during the action!
