Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Soundtrack, which premiered on March 23, 2022 on Disney Plus and became one of the most beloved Korean romantic mini-series exploring the delicate transition from friendship to love.
Soundtrack premiered exclusively on Disney Plus on March 23, 2022, consisting of just 4 episodes with approximately 45-minute runtimes each. Written by Ahm Sae Won and directed by Kim Hee Won, the series stars Park Hyung-sik and Han So-hee as childhood friends who discover new feelings when they start living together. A standalone sequel titled Soundtrack #2 was later released in 2023, proving the concept’s popularity.
This intimate Korean drama takes the classic friends-to-lovers trope and elevates it through beautiful cinematography, compelling performances, and a focus on the subtle moments that define deep relationships. Best friends for almost twenty years, the two main characters can no longer ignore the feelings blooming between them as they start living together, creating a tender exploration of love that grows from genuine friendship.
Two Decades of Friendship: The Foundation of Love
Soundtrack follows Han Seon-woo and Lee Eun-soo, who have been best friends for 20 years and find themselves at a crossroads when they decide to live together for two weeks. Eunsoo and Sunwoo, friends for nineteen years, start living together to write lyrics, but their arrangement quickly becomes more complicated as suppressed feelings begin to surface.
The series beautifully captures how the most meaningful romantic relationships often grow from deep friendships. The story explores the fear and excitement that comes with potentially changing a perfect friendship into something more, knowing that taking that step could either lead to the greatest love or the loss of the most important person in your life.
Han Seon-woo: A Photographer’s Quiet Depth
Park Hyung-sik plays Han Seon-woo, a talented photographer whose work is starting to gain international recognition. He’s described as someone who doesn’t talk much but possesses a kind and warm heart that draws people to him. His character represents the steady, reliable presence that anchors many great relationships.
Seon-woo’s journey throughout the series involves finding the courage to express feelings he’s harbored for years while risking the friendship that means everything to him. Park Hyung-sik brings a subtle intensity to the role, conveying volumes through expressions and gestures rather than words, perfectly embodying someone whose art speaks louder than his voice.
Lee Eun-soo: A Lyricist Finding Her Voice in Love
Han So-hee portrays Lee Eun-soo, a lyricist working hard to make a living through her art while maintaining an honest and bright personality that lights up every scene. Her character represents the artistic soul searching for inspiration both in her work and personal life.
Eun-soo’s evolution throughout the series shows her learning to recognize and accept feelings that have been growing quietly for years. Han So-hee delivers a nuanced performance that captures both vulnerability and strength as her character navigates the scary but exciting territory of romantic love with her best friend.
When Friendship Transforms: The Moment Everything Changes
The series builds to pivotal moments where both characters must decide whether to acknowledge their feelings or preserve the status quo of their friendship. After Sunwoo leaves, Eunsoo spends her daily life writing lyrics, but she feels empty because she can’t share this with Sunwoo, highlighting how integral they’ve become to each other’s happiness.
These climactic scenes are handled with incredible delicacy, showing how the transition from friendship to romance doesn’t happen in grand gestures but in quiet moments of recognition and acceptance. The series captures the breathtaking vulnerability of admitting you love someone who could break your heart by walking away.
Chart-Topping Success on Disney Plus
Soundtrack was ranked first among the most-watched series on Disney Plus in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, proving that audiences craved this type of intimate storytelling. Despite being only four episodes long, the series made a significant impact on viewers who appreciated its focused approach to romance.
The show’s success demonstrates that sometimes less is more when it comes to storytelling. By concentrating on just two main characters and their evolving relationship over a short time frame, Soundtrack achieved an emotional depth that longer series sometimes struggle to maintain throughout their extended runs.
Perfect Bite-Sized Romance for the Heart
If you love friends-to-lovers stories and intimate character-driven dramas, Soundtrack #1 is the perfect series to binge on Disney Plus. At just four episodes, it’s the ideal length for a cozy weekend viewing that will leave you believing in the power of friendship as the foundation for lasting love.
Why You Should Watch: Love That Grows From True Friendship
Soundtrack reminds us that the best romantic relationships often begin with genuine friendship and shared understanding. It’s a beautifully crafted series that proves you don’t need endless episodes to tell a complete and satisfying love story.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 4 episodes
Platform: Disney Plus
Release/End Year: 2022
Current IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Romance, Drama, Music
Status: Completed (with standalone sequel Soundtrack #2 in 2023)
Main Characters: Park Hyung-sik (Han Seon-woo), Han So-hee (Lee Eun-soo)
Supporting Characters: Jennifer Sun Bell, Victoria Grace