The new drama "Monstar" is about a bad-tempered idol whose punishment for misbehavior includes being exiled from his band and sent back to high school. Naturally he joins the school's band. So, it's a given that the musical drama will have a great soundtrack, featuring artists fans can relate to. But the soundtrack so far is an interesting mix of nostalgia and indie sounds.
The OST has four songs, one for each episode, and two of them favor musical nostalgia.
The first is the Korean/English song "Past Days," sung by Minhyuk, Sungjae, Changsub and Hyunsik of BTOB, actress Ha Yun Soo and Yong Joon Hyung of Beast. The song is an updated version of a hit originally performed by Yoo Jae Ha, one of the most influential kpop singers of the 1980s.
The second OST contribution is "After Time Passes," sung by BTOB and Yong Joon Hyung. It's the song performed by the drama's popular idol band, Men in Black, but it's actually also a song with a history.
"After Time Passes" is an updated version of the hit song by English singer-songwriter Postino and that's no surprise since Postino is the music producer for the drama. Postino, whose real name is Junho Lee, started his career managing pop groups in Korea, notably the girl group S.E.S.
The cover version of his song contrasts Postino's smooth vintage sound with emotional rap lyrics to convey the sophisticated yet lonely life experienced by Joon Hyung's character. The song is played in the drama after saesang fans chase Joon Hyung's character and cause an accident. Although everyone outside is screaming for him, he sits in the car very much alone and isolated.
The third installment of the OST features the song "Atlantis Princess," sung by Ha Yun Soo, Kang Ha Neul and Kim Cho Eun. The song appeared in the drama's third episode and was arranged by J.Rabbit, a two-woman Korean indie group.
J. Rabbit also sings the fourth song in the OST, "Light Sleep," also known as "Snooze." Three versions appear in the third and fourth episode of "Monstar." Ha Yun Soo's father composes the song in the drama.
J. Rabbit is an underground favorite and after this drama, more people may become fans. One member of the duo plays the acoustic guitar and the other sings the simple lyrics of longing that accompany the developing love story between Ha Yun Soo and her classmate Yong Joon Hyung.
The rest of the OST promises more musical surprises. Stay tuned.
