Table of
Contents
🎶 “As Time Goes By”: Introduction
🎯 Key
Takeaways
🎶 “As Time Goes By”: Additional Information
🎶 Introduction
to Artists
🎶 “As Time Goes By”: Introduction
Stage Performance – Red Velvet Wendy
YouTube Audio Track - Park Bo-ram
Official Audio Track - Choi Ho-seop
Lyrics Summary
“세월이 가면”
is a timeless Korean ballad that explores the fading emotions of love and
longing as time passes. The lyrics reflect a quiet resignation to the
impermanence of feelings, portraying the passage of time as both inevitable and
healing. With gentle imagery, such as flowers blooming again and the wind
brushing past, the song evokes a deeply Korean sentiment, "한 (han)," a concept that refers to a collective feeling of
unresolved sorrow or emotional depth.
Rather than dramatic declarations, the lyrics are
introspective and restrained—a hallmark of traditional Korean emotional
expression. The notion that one’s yearning and attachment will gradually
dissolve with time reveals a crucial cultural trait: the value of emotional
endurance and dignity in silence.
It’s a song that speaks to the Korean experience of waiting,
letting go, and cherishing memories without regret.
A Practical Learning Guide
- The
lyrics are composed in a formal poetic tone, yet remain simple enough for
intermediate learners to follow. They use everyday words infused with emotional
nuance, ideal for studying Korean sentiment and cultural expression.
- “잊게
되다” is a grammatical structure combining “잊다” (to forget) + “게 되다” (to
end up doing/become a state), which appears often in Korean speech.
Understanding
such compound forms is essential for fluency.
- You’ll
also encounter examples of emotional restraint, which is characteristic of
Korean cultural communication.
Rather
than explicitly expressing anger or sadness, the lyrics softly imply these
emotions through metaphors and conditional statements.
- The
use of declarative sentence endings in present and future tenses
(e.g., “되겠죠”) helps learners get used to polite yet
expressive grammar structures commonly found in Korean lyrics and everyday
speech.
🎯 Key
Takeaways
📢 Explanations of basic dictionary definitions have been omitted.
1. "웃음을 보여도 / 웃음을 보이다"
- "웃음을 보여도 / 웃음을
보이다" means "even if (someone) shows a smile" or
"to show a smile." It implies that the smile may be hiding genuine
emotions.
- "웃음을": "웃음 (smile)" + object particle "-을"
- "보여도": "보이다 (to show)" + connective ending "-아도/어도 (even if)"
📌 Example Usage
"웃음을 보여도 마음은 아팠다."
"Even though I smiled, my heart was
aching."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"미소를 짓다" –
"to smile"
📌 Example Usage
"그녀는 조용히 미소를 지었다."
"She quietly smiled."
2. "허탈한 / 허탈하다"
- "허탈한 / 허탈하다" means "despondent" or "dejected," often
after an emotional release or disappointment.
- "허탈한": "허탈하다 (to feel empty, drained)" + attributive ending "-은"
📌 Example Usage
"허탈한 표정으로 자리를 떴다."
"He left with a dejected expression."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"망연자실하다" –
"to be in shock and helpless"
📌 Example Usage
"소식을 듣고 망연자실했다."
"I was devastated upon hearing the
news."
3. "표정 감출 순 없어 / 표정을 감추다"
- "표정 감출 순 없어 / 표정을
감추다" means "can’t hide (one's) expression."
- "표정": "표정 (facial expression)" + object particle “-을” (implied)
- "감출 순":
contraction of "감출 수는", from "감추다 (to hide)" + "-ㄹ 수는"
(can, with contrast)
- "없어": "없다 (to not have, to not be able)" + sentence ending “-어” (informal, colloquial)
📌 Example Usage
"속상함을 표정으로 감출순 없었다."
"I couldn’t hide my upset
expression."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"드러나다" –
"to be revealed"
📌 Example Usage
"진심은 결국 표정에 드러났다."
"The truth eventually showed on his
face."
4. "힘없이 뒤돌아선 / 힘없이 뒤돌아서다"
- "힘없이 뒤돌아선 / 힘없이
뒤돌아서다" means "turned back weakly" or
"turned away with no energy."
- "힘없이": "힘 (strength)" + adverb-forming "-없이 (without)"
- "뒤돌아선":
past attributive form of "뒤돌아서다 (to turn
around)"
📌 Example Usage
"그는 힘없이 뒤돌아섰다."
"He turned back weakly."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"고개를 떨구다" –
"to lower one's head"
📌 Example Usage
"슬퍼서 고개를 떨궜다."
"He lowered his head in sadness."
5. "이것이 마지막이라는 것을 / 이것이 마지막이다"
- "이것이 마지막이라는 것을 /
이것이 마지막이다" means "that this is the end."
- "이것이": "이것 (this)" + subject particle "-이"
- "마지막이라는": "마지막이다 (to be the last)" + quoting form "-라는"
- "것을": "것 (thing)" + object particle "-을"
📌 Example Usage
"이것이 마지막이라는 것을 알고 있었다."
"I knew that this was the end."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"끝이다" –
"to be the end"
📌 Example Usage
"그 순간 모든 것이 끝이었다."
"At that moment, everything was
over."
6. "서로가 원한다 해도 / 서로가 원하다"
- "서로가 원한다 해도 / 서로가
원하다" means "even if both want it."
- "서로가": "서로 (each other)" + subject particle "-가"
- "원한다": "원하다 (to want)" + present tense ending "-ㄴ다"
- "-해도": "하다 (to do)" + "-아도/어도" (even if)
📌 Example Usage
"서로가 원한다 해도 이루어질 수 없는 사랑도 있다."
"Even if both want it, some love can’t
come true."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"바라다" –
"to hope, to wish"
📌 Example Usage
"우리는 같은 미래를 바라보고 있었다."
"We were hoping for the same future."
7. "영원할 순 없어요 / 영원할 수 없다"
- "영원할 순 없어요 / 영원할
수 없다" means "it can’t last forever."
- "영원할": "영원하다 (to be eternal)" + potential form "-ㄹ"
✂️ "순": contraction of "수는"
- "없어요": "없다 (to not be possible)" in polite present form
📌 Example Usage
"아무리 아름다워도 영원할 순 없어요."
"No matter how beautiful, it can’t last
forever."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"끝이 있다" –
"to have an end"
📌 Example Usage
"모든 시작에는 끝이 있다."
"Every beginning has an end."
8. "흘러가는 시간"
- "흘러가는 시간"
means "time that flows" or "passing time."
- "흘러가는": "흐르다 (to flow)" + progressive attributive "-는"
- "시간": "시간 (time)"
📌 Example Usage
"흘러가는 시간을 붙잡을 수는 없다."
"You can’t hold on to passing time."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"시간이 흐르다" –
"time flows"
📌 Example Usage
"시간이 흘러도 그 기억은 생생하다."
"Even as time passes, that memory remains
vivid."
9. "세월이 가면 / 세월이 가다"
- "세월이 가면 / 세월이
가다" means "when time passes" or "as the
years go by."
- "세월이": "세월 (years, passage of time)" + subject marker "-이"
- "가면": "가다 (to go)" + conditional "-면 (if, when)"
📌 Example Usage
"세월이 가면 모든 게 추억이 된다."
"As time goes by, everything becomes a
memory."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"시간이 지나면" –
"when time passes"
📌 Example Usage
"시간이 지나면 이해하게 될 거야."
"You’ll understand once time passes."
10. "가슴이 터질듯한 / 가슴이 터질듯하다 / 가슴이 터지다"
- "가슴이 터질듯한 / 가슴이
터질듯하다 / 가슴이 터지다" means
"heart about to burst," conveying overwhelming emotion.
- "가슴이": "가슴 (chest, heart)" + subject marker "-이"
- "터질듯한": "터지다 (to burst)" + "-듯하다 (as
if)" + attributive "-한"
📌 Example Usage
"가슴이 터질듯한 슬픔이 밀려왔다."
"A wave of sorrow rushed in as if my heart
would burst."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"벅차다" –
"to be overwhelmed (with emotion)"
📌 Example Usage
"기쁨에 가슴이 벅찼다."
"My heart was full of joy."
11. "마음이야 잊는다 해도 / 마음을 잊다"
- "마음이야 잊는다 해도 / 마음을
잊다" means "even if you say you forget the
heart" or "even if the heart forgets." It expresses a
concession.
- "마음이야": "마음 (heart)" + topic particle "-이야" (emphasized form of "-은/는")
- "잊는다": "잊다 (to forget)" + present declarative "-는다"
- "해도": "하다 (to do)" + "-아도/어도" (even if)
📌 Example Usage
"마음이야 잊는다 해도 기억은 남는다."
"Even if you say your heart forgets, the
memories remain."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"잊어버리다" –
"to completely forget"
📌 Example Usage
"그 일은 잊어버리려고 애썼다."
"I tried hard to forget that
incident."
12. "한없이"
- "한없이" means
"endlessly" or "infinitely." It emphasizes an immeasurable
degree or amount.
- "한없이":
from "한 (limit, end)" +
adverb-forming suffix "-없이 (without)"
📌 Example Usage
"그녀는 한없이 눈물을 흘렸다."
"She shed tears endlessly."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"끝없이" –
"endlessly"
📌 Example Usage
"끝없이 펼쳐진 바다가 아름다웠다."
"The endlessly stretching sea was
beautiful."
13. "소중했던 / 소중하다"
- "소중했던 / 소중하다" means "precious" or "was precious." The
form reflects a past emotional attachment.
- "소중했던": "소중하다 (to be precious)" + past attributive "-았/었던"
📌 Example Usage
"소중했던 기억들이 떠올랐다."
"Precious memories came to mind."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"귀중하다" –
"to be valuable"
📌 Example Usage
"귀중한 시간을 내줘서 고마워요."
"Thank you for giving me your valuable
time."
14. "있었음을"
- "있었음을"
means "the fact that (something/someone) existed." It nominalizes the
verb "있다" to reflect a past existence.
- "있었음": "있다 (to exist)" + past tense "-었" + nominalizer "-음"
➡️ “있다” → “있었다” (past tense) → “있었음” (noun form)
- "-을":
object particle
📌 Example Usage
"그가 내 곁에 있었음을 잊지 않겠다."
"I won’t forget that he was once by my
side."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"존재했음을" –
"the fact that (someone/something) existed"
📌 Example Usage
"그의 존재했음을 영원히 기억할게."
"I’ll forever remember that he
existed."
15. "잊지 말고"
- "잊지 말고"
means "don’t forget and..." It implies continuation to the following
action.
- "잊지": "잊다 (to forget)" + negation "-지 않다"
- "말고": "말다 (to stop, not to do)" + connective "-고 (and)"
🐾 “잊지 않고” means “without forgetting” or “while
remembering”, expressing a state or condition, whereas “잊지
말고” means “don’t forget to”, conveying a command or suggestion.
📌 Example Usage
"잊지 말고 꼭 연락해."
"Don’t forget to contact me."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"기억해" –
"remember"
📌 Example Usage
"항상 날 기억해줘."
"Always remember me."
16. "기억해줘요 / 기억하다"
- "기억해줘요 / 기억하다" means "please remember." It is a polite request to
be remembered.
- "기억해줘요": "기억하다 (to remember)" + "-아/어
주다" (do for someone) + polite ending "-요"
📌 Example Usage
"나를 기억해줘요."
"Please remember me."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"잊지 마세요" –
"don’t forget"
📌 Example Usage
"이 순간을 잊지 마세요."
"Don’t forget this moment."
🎶 “As Time Goes By”:
Additional Information
- Song Title (Korean): "세월이 가면"
- Release Date: March 30,
1988
- Album: 바람아 불어 / 세월이 가면
- Original singer: Choi Ho-seop
- Genre: Ballad
- Label: Korea
Music Content Association (KMCA)
- Lyricist: Choi
Myung-seop
- Composer: Choi
Gwi-seop
Cultural Significance:
"세월이 가면" is widely regarded as one of the most iconic Korean ballads
of the late 1980s. The song captures a sense of timeless longing and emotional
maturity, which resonated deeply with audiences at the time. Over the years, it
has become a cultural staple in Korea, often played in dramas, variety shows,
and nostalgic tributes.
🎶 Introduction to Artists
Red Velvet Wendy
Debut: 2014 as a member of Red
Velvet under SM Entertainment
Wendy is recognized as one of the most
technically skilled vocalists in K-pop. Her powerful and controlled voice has
led to multiple solo projects, OSTs, and collaborations. After recovering from
a serious injury in 2019, Wendy released her solo debut album Like Water in
2021, which further cemented her as a respected solo artist in addition to her
Red Velvet activities.
Park Bo-ram
Debut: 2014 with the single Beautiful featuring
Zico
Rising to fame from the reality
show Superstar K2, Park Bo-ram is celebrated for her unique timbre and
emotional delivery. Her journey, including significant weight loss and vocal
development, made her an inspiring figure among young audiences. She has
continued to evolve her sound across ballads, R&B, and original soundtrack (OST) compositions.
🎶 Introduction
to Choi Ho-seop
Debut: Early 1980s
Choi Ho-seop is a veteran balladeer who made
his mark in the 1980s Korean music scene. His emotional vocals and warm tone
made him a beloved figure among ballad lovers. "세월이 가면" remains his signature song, remembered for its introspective
lyrics and classic arrangement. Though he later stepped back from mainstream
activities, the track secured his place in the canon of Korean ballad history.
🌍 If
you’d like to read the full lyrics, please visit official music platforms such
as Melon, Genie Music, Apple Music, or Spotify!
❗The copyright belongs to the original
creators, and the management of music royalties and copyrights is handled by
the respective copyright holders and organizations such as the Korea Copyright
Commission.
❗This analysis
is intended for educational and language-learning purposes and does not replace
the official lyrics.
0 Comments