[OST Corner] Nobody is Perfect
by mistyisles
Nobody is perfect
You were barely standin’
Standing with failure under your feet
…
Even if you fall down, you can stand up
I’m back on my way
For me, memorable OSTs tend to fall into one of three categories. First are OSTs that are inextricably linked to the K-drama they accompanied. The song is the show, the show is the song, and one cannot exist in my mind outside of the other. Second are OSTs that surpass the K-drama they were written for. Sometimes this means the show was terrible and the song deserved better; other times it simply means I never watched the show and found the song elsewhere.
Finally, the third category are OSTs that fit into both of the previous categories at once. These songs still bring up vivid memories of the K-drama in which I first heard them, but they also have a special place in my heart that’s only marginally related to the show itself.
“Nobody is Perfect” from Unlock the Boss falls into that very special third category. In the context of the show, this is the song that plays when the going gets tough and our heroes need to kick things up a notch to get through it. It’s that ray of hope in the darkest hour, the one last push when they’re backed against the wall and running out of options.
Most strikingly, however, this song plays when what seems like our heroes’ greatest triumph is undercut by their most devastating failure. One they can’t just bounce back from or fix — but they’ll have to find a way to keep moving forward anyway.
Outside of Unlock the Boss, “Nobody is Perfect” has become one of my fight songs, so to speak. When I need a burst of energy or a reminder that I can push through whatever obstacle I may be facing, it’s one of the first songs I turn to. And when I’m having a bad day and it happens to come on shuffle, I take a deep breath and remind myself that yes, I can get through this.
Sometimes that reminder is accompanied by Chae Jong-hyeop’s brilliant smile and memories of a show I greatly enjoyed despite its imperfections. But other times, it’s the song itself — with its infectious beat and inspiring lyrics — that keeps me going.
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Tags: OST Corner
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1 aicaramba
June 4, 2023 at 11:36 PM
Love the 3rd category! Gaho's 'Running' from 'Start Up' falls into that for me. I play it when I need a bit of motivation or when psyching myself up for a challenging task.
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Isa is always time travelling
June 5, 2023 at 1:02 AM
"Running" from Start-Up IS one of my favorite k-drama songs. It's so optimistic and catchy.
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2 Kurama
June 5, 2023 at 12:13 AM
Gaho's Start for Itaewon Class was great and very motivating.
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bong-soo
June 5, 2023 at 8:47 AM
A favorite of mine also on my fan wall.
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3 panshel
June 5, 2023 at 12:14 AM
More dramas should utilize rap OSTs. Rapping makes the scene more exciting, and the beat gets your head bobbing and arm pumping.
"Brass Knuckle" by Boi B from Weak Hero Class 1 got my heart racing, NaShow's rap in "Auditory Hallucination" from Kill Me, Heal Me is iconic, and Loco's rap in "Say Yes" from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is so sweet.
Despite its one unnecessary death, Unlock the Boss is still one of my favorite dramas of the year. The lyrics of "Nobody is Perfect" are inspiring.
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Gikata
June 5, 2023 at 2:09 PM
Where is MC Sniper tho? Dude used to be the prime example of how to do rap OST - even in sageuk! - properly, but then just disappeared from drama soundtrack field entirely. I have 3 OSTs of his in my playlist and NEVER FF them, and I don't even really like rap as a genre altogether...
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panshel
June 5, 2023 at 9:07 PM
Yes, can't forget MC Sniper's "Mask Dance" OST from Arang and the Magistrate that played during every Lee Joon-gi fight scene.
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Gikata
June 6, 2023 at 9:00 AM
AATM fights are iconic - our badass satto with a fan vs demons and grim reapers with swords... Ah, great times! I miss LJG in sageuks so much(((
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4 Isa is always time travelling
June 5, 2023 at 1:10 AM
As I am not very into raps, my favorite song from Unlock my boss' OST is "Lie to me". It's beautiful. It fascinated me since the first time I listened to it (in the drama).
https://youtu.be/L4JLxHyG-cQ
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Seon-ha
June 5, 2023 at 3:51 AM
Yes. All the yes to this song…and artist. Cutlery Collector is another good one!
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Mrs Buckwheat
June 5, 2023 at 4:55 AM
Thanks for the link, that’s a gorgeous song, he has a very unique voice.
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mistyisles
June 5, 2023 at 7:40 AM
Yes, I love this one too! It's so beautiful.
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5 Seon-ha
June 5, 2023 at 3:55 AM
Giriboy’s Hyena (하이에나) for, you guessed it, Hyena, is iconic here, IMO. The way it plays out in that early courtroom scene where our leads’ relationship totally changes course (for the more cooperative). It’s rousing and satisfying in equal parts when it starts up.
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Seon-ha
June 5, 2023 at 3:59 AM
Sorry, here’s a link! https://youtu.be/w2t1eqx4t-E
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6 Britney
June 5, 2023 at 4:25 AM
Oh this song was a catchy one. Even when I saw the picture & the title, I could already hear the beat or remember scenes (like I think the song played at the end of the lead's fantasy like a closing credits song)
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
June 5, 2023 at 4:36 AM
YES that's right! I loved that fantasy credits moment!
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7 HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
June 5, 2023 at 5:14 AM
I LOVED Unlock My Boss (I already watched it a second time), and I also loved the OST. I really enjoyed reading the comparison of OSTs that stay intrinsically tied to the experience, emotions, and memories of the drama, and OSTs that transcend those. "Nobody is Perfect" is definitely one of them! I remember the feeling in the drama whenever it would play when they did something cool or had a fight scene. But it's also become one of my "get pumped up" songs, joining the ranks of BTS's "Mic Drop" and ATEEZ's "HALAZIA"😁
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mistyisles
June 5, 2023 at 7:41 AM
Halazia! ❤️
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8 Mrs Buckwheat
June 5, 2023 at 5:23 AM
Nobody is Perfect brings back good memories, such a iconic song of the show . I really enjoyed Unlock the Boss.
Chae Jong-hyeop’s smile brightens up my day, he has a fantastic smile that transforms his whole face and makes you feel happy.
Why, oh why, did they have to kill off Mapi, it broke my heart. He had one of the best character arcs / redemptions that I have seen on a show in a long while.
It’s very heartwarming when you hear certain songs from osts that can take you back to reminisce about a show.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
June 5, 2023 at 6:10 AM
‘ Chae Jong-hyeop’s smile brightens up my day, he has a fantastic smile that transforms his whole face and makes you feel happy.’ 👈🏾He really does lighten the mood just with that smile.
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Ayalynn
June 9, 2023 at 12:58 PM
Mapi... He was the best character in the drama.
I don't know why they had to kill him off like that.
Maybe due to Kim Sung-oh's scheduling conflict? He had to leave the shooting early maybe...
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9 Mrs Buckwheat
June 5, 2023 at 5:53 AM
Sadly I don’t think Unlock my Boss or the ost got the recognition that it deserves.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
June 5, 2023 at 6:11 AM
I agree it was so underrated 🥺
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10 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
June 5, 2023 at 6:19 AM
Thanks for these trips down memory lane. My song which has lived on is In time by O3ohn from Seasons of Blossom.
Hopefully the link will work.
https://youtu.be/yAPXUuEP2B8
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Isa is always time travelling
June 5, 2023 at 6:38 AM
A beautiful song for a beautiful drama.
Thank you!
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11 bong-soo
June 5, 2023 at 9:02 AM
Music is not my strong suit and this is probably O/T but for an instrumental opening I don’t think you can beat the OST for FOREST OF SECRETS/STRANGER (2017) (Netflix). Slow build up. Just great:
https://youtu.be/447bxBzl9Vo
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12 Nomorelisa
June 5, 2023 at 9:26 AM
I love many and Say Yes by Punch Scarlet Heart Ryeo is one of my favorites. Recently I came across the opening OST Never Let Go from Agency by Kim Pureum and I simply love it. In fact I like most of Agency's OST but Never Let Go is what I cannot forget.
https://youtu.be/gSgAIYBvLKg
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13 Gikata
June 5, 2023 at 2:32 PM
Fight songs are my favorite music style as of lately, the angrier/more desperate the better - tough times, you know. And if it's featured in a show I like that's a double win. In fact, I've developed quite a bit of allergy for light and happy tracks - to the point of disliking the hell out of my faves newest album for that very reason. Ouch. Sorry, boys, I'll give it another chance someday, I promise)))
This one is not exactly that for me, but lyrics are inspiring for sure. Should I make a list too? It's gonna be rather long, I've collected a lot)))
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