It’s been a few weeks since the airing of Dear Hongrang and nothing prepared us for that unexpected but understandable ending. However, the masterpiece left everyone with a gift they couldn’t stop talking about: Burning Petals.

“Burning Petals” is the theme song for Dear Hongrang and it’s a haunting but emotional OST sung by Artist 4BOUT. The song is the first of its kind in K-drama land, and it holds so many beautiful memories, thanks to its use in the powerful scenes of the drama.

This great OST was first introduced with actor Lee Jae Wook’s grand homecoming and it made it more meaningful. The song’s beautiful sadness, powerful sound, heart-gripping, and soulful voice made it one of the most memorable parts of the show. The man behind that unforgettable voice is 4BOUT.

Ever heard of quiet yet powerful? That’s him right there! 4BOUT, previously known as ABOUT, is a 31-year-old South Korean singer-songwriter and producer whose real name is Jo Taekyoung. Although he debuted in 2019, he doesn’t have a big name like some K-pop idols and solo artists, but he has been making waves in his field.

Thanks to Dear Hongrang, we got served the vocal delicacy we had been missing out on. He’s known for his deep, emotional style and first gained attention with the OST he sang for the drama Sky Castle—“It Has To Be You” in 2018. His voice is deep enough to make you feel the songs in your soul and not just to entertain you.

His strength lies in his ability to express sadness, longing, love, and every other feeling through emotional storytelling with music that feels honest and raw, in a way that they stay with you even after the drama or song is finished.

Dear Hongrang successfully added itself to the K-trauma list, and we couldn’t be less surprised since it was a historical drama. What is a saguek without a sprinkle of painful tears? However, “Burning Petals” added to the heavy feeling and ended up pulling us all into Hongrang’s story, against our wishes, of course.

Aside from the unique instrumentals used in the song, the lyrics of “Burning Petals” made us realize why our hearts burned alongside the petals. It captured the drama's themes of pain and beauty, making us realize that even if their happiness had been previously burnt, their scents remained like memories to someone they’ve loved deeply. It showed the depth of loss of self-identity, soul, family, love, and bond. The song doesn’t just describe this loss; it makes you feel it.

Something about 4BOUT’s voice added to the originality of the song because he poured his entirety into every note. His soft, trembling voice and the way he holds certain lines make “Burning Petals” unforgettable. Fans online have praised the track for its emotional power, saying it made them cry or gave them goosebumps during key scenes of the drama.

4BOUT works as both a singer and a producer. He writes, directs, and produces much of his  music. His 2019 release, “Wither,” showed a similar style; it was full of feeling and reflection. He also sang “Snowflakes” for the drama My Fellow Citizen. His other works include “Dive,” “Aching,” “Missing,” “Unhappy,” “Unsent Letter,” “Sunbed,” “Happy Tears,” and much more.

Thanks to “Burning Petals,” fans have discovered this piece of art that injects sound and music into the souls of the listeners. For anyone watching Dear Hongrang, “Burning Petals” isn’t just heard but felt. And for that, we thank 4BOUT.

You can listen to him on Spotify or Apple Music.