Master Korean with K-Pop 1: A Deep Dive into Roy Kim's 'Only Then' (그때 헤어지면 돼) for Learners!
This heartfelt ballad, sung with Roy Kim's distinctive clear vocals and gentle melody, is a fantastic resource for Korean for beginners. Its straightforward yet poignant lyrics make it ideal for practicing Korean pronunciation, expanding Korean vocabulary, and understanding basic Korean grammar in context. Let's explore the magic of this song!
1. Artist Spotlight: Roy Kim (로이킴)
- Full Name: Kim Sang-woo (김상우)
- Born: July 3, 1993 (Currently 32 years old)
- Debut & Journey: Roy Kim rose to fame after winning Mnet's audition program 'Superstar K4' in 2012. His debut captivated audiences with his pure voice, guitar skills, and self-composed songs. Known for his sincerity and warm vocal tone, he quickly became a respected singer-songwriter, releasing hits like 'Bom Bom Bom' (봄봄봄). Despite his academic background at Georgetown University, he remains deeply committed to his music, continually earning love and respect from fans for his authentic and emotionally rich songs.
- Signature Songs: 'Bom Bom Bom' (봄봄봄), 'Love Love Love', 'The Great Dipper' (북두칠성), 'Only Then' (그때 헤어지면 돼), 'LALALAY', and many more. His discography is characterized by emotional, lyrical tunes with honest storytelling.
2. Song Deep Dive: 'Only Then' (그때 헤어지면 돼) for Korean Learners
A. Why This Song is Perfect for Beginners
Roy Kim's 'Only Then' is an excellent K-Pop for language learning choice for several reasons:
- Crystal Clear Pronunciation: Roy Kim's soft yet distinct vocal delivery makes it easy to differentiate sounds, aiding in Korean pronunciation practice.
- Moderate Tempo: The song's gentle pace allows learners to follow the lyrics easily, helping you read along and mimic the sounds without feeling rushed.
- Emotional & Relatable Lyrics: The beautiful words about love, farewell, and lingering feelings offer a rich context for learning Korean expressions and cultural nuances.
- Practical Grammar & Vocabulary: The lyrics are full of everyday words and fundamental grammar structures that are highly applicable to real-life conversations.
B. Key Lyrics Analysis & Learning Points
Let's break down essential vocabulary, grammar, and expressions found in the song:
Key Vocabulary
- 사랑하는 법 (sa-rang-ha-neun beop): the way to love
- 어렵지 않아요 (eo-ryeop-ji a-na-yo): it's not difficult
- 지금 모습 그대로 (ji-geum mo-seup geu-dae-ro): just as you are now (your current self)
- 꼭 안아주세요 (kkok a-na-ju-se-yo): please hug me tightly
- 나중에 (na-jung-e): later
- 어떻게 될진 몰라도 (eo-tteo-ke dwel-jin mol-la-do): don't know what will happen
- 정해지지 않아서 (jeong-hae-ji-ji a-na-seo): because it's undecided/uncertain
- 좋아요 (jo-a-yo): I like it (좋다: to be good/like)
- 다른 사람 (da-reun sa-ram): another person
- ~이 좋아지다 (~i jo-a-ji-da): to start liking someone/something
- 익숙해지다 (ik-suk-hae-ji-da): to get used to, to become familiar with
- 지치다 (ji-chi-da): to get tired, exhausted
- 걷다 (geot-da): to walk (걷지 못할 때: when I can't walk anymore)
- 원하다 (won-ha-da): to want
- ~든 말든 (~deun mal-deun): whether one does X or not
- 잡다 (jap-da): to catch, to hold onto
- 헤어지다 (hae-eo-ji-da): to break up, to separate
Essential Grammar Points
- Verb/Adjective + -(으)면 / -면: "If..." (Conditional Clause)
- Song example: "네가 행복하면 됐어" (Ne-ga haeng-bok-ha-myeon dwae-sseo - If you are happy, then it's fine.)
- Explanation: Expresses a condition, if that condition is met, the following action or state occurs.
- Common usage: "비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요." (Bi-ga o-myeon ji-be it-seul geo-ye-yo - If it rains, I'll stay home.)
- Verb/Adjective + -지 않다: Negative Form
- Song example: "어렵지 않아요" (eo-ryeop-ji a-na-yo - It's not difficult.)
- Explanation: A fundamental way to express negation in Korean.
- Common usage: "저는 커피를 마시지 않아요." (Jeo-neun keo-pi-reul ma-si-ji a-na-yo - I don't drink coffee.)
- Verb/Adjective + -(으)ㄹ지 모르다: "Don't know if/what/how..."
- Song example: "우리 나중에는 어떻게 될진 몰라도" (U-ri na-jung-e-neun eo-tteo-ke dwel-jin mol-la-do - We don't know what will happen later, but...)
- Explanation: Used to express uncertainty about a future situation or outcome.
- Common usage: "내일 날씨가 좋을지 모르겠어요." (Nae-il nal-ssi-ga jo-eul-ji mo-reu-get-seo-yo - I don't know if the weather will be good tomorrow.)
- Noun + 그대로: "As is," "just as it is"
- Song example: "지금 모습 그대로" (Ji-geum mo-seup geu-dae-ro - Just as your current self / Just as you are now.)
- Explanation: Indicates that something remains in its current state or form without change.
- Common usage: "책상 위에 책을 그대로 두세요." (Chaek-sang wi-e chaek-eul geu-dae-ro du-se-yo - Please leave the book on the desk as it is.)
- Verb + -고: "And" (Sequential/Connecting Actions or States)
- Song example: "널 잡을 거고" (Neol ja-beul geo-go - I will hold onto you and...)
- Explanation: Connects two actions or states, where the first action occurs before the second or describes a continuous state.
C. Pronunciation Focus
Roy Kim's clear enunciation is perfect for practicing these key Korean phonetic phenomena:
- Liaison (연음 / yeon-eum): When a final consonant (batchim) moves to fill the empty initial consonant position of the next syllable.
- Practice: "사랑하는 법은" (sa-rang-ha-neun beo-beun), "될진 몰라도" (dwel-jin mol-la-do)
- Listen carefully to how the final consonant of one syllable smoothly blends into the beginning of the next.
- Palatalization (구개음화 / gu-gae-eum-hwa): When 'ㄷ' (d/t) followed by '이' (i) changes to '지' (j/chi).
- Practice: "익숙해지면" (ik-suk-hae-ji-myeon)
- Pay attention to how certain consonant-vowel combinations transform.
- Intonation & Rhythm: Embrace the song's emotional depth. Try to mimic Roy Kim's phrasing, emphasizing words as he does, to internalize natural Korean speaking rhythm.
D. Learning Cautions
- Context for Emotional Expressions: The lyrics contain many literary and emotional expressions. While beautiful, they might not always be used exactly the same way in casual spoken Korean. Focus on understanding the emotional context and how such feelings are conveyed.
- Future Tense Nuances: Pay attention to the various expressions for future events ("어떻게 될진 몰라도", "잡을 거고"). Understanding their subtle differences will enrich your Korean grammar knowledge.
E. Full Lyrics (Korean, Phonetic Transcriptions & English Translation)
(Note: The phonetic transcription aims to approximate Korean sounds using English phonetics. Listen to the original song for the most accurate pronunciation, especially for nuances like intonation and slight sound variations. English translation is adapted for natural flow.)
Verse 1 Korean: 나를 사랑하는 법은 어렵지 않아요 Phonetic: Nah-reul sah-rang-hah-neun bub-eun uh-ryub-ji ah-nah-yo English: The way to love me isn't difficult
Korean: 지금 모습 그대로 나를 꼭 안아주세요 Phonetic: Ji-geum moh-seub geu-dae-roh nah-reul kkok ah-nah-joo-seh-yo English: Just as you are now, please hug me tight
Korean: 우리 나중에는 어떻게 될진 몰라도 Phonetic: Oo-ri nah-joong-eh-neun uh-ttuh-keh dwel-jin mol-lah-do English: We don't know what will happen later
Korean: 정해지지 않아서 그게 나는 좋아요 Phonetic: Jeong-hae-ji-ji ah-nah-suh geu-geh nah-neun joh-ah-yo English: It's not set in stone, and I like that part
Chorus 1 Korean: 네가 다른 사람이 좋아지면 Phonetic: Neh-ga dah-reun sah-ram-ee joh-ah-ji-myeon English: If you start to like someone else
Korean: 내가 너 없는 게 익숙해지면 Phonetic: Neh-ga nuh ub-neun geh ik-sook-hae-ji-myeon English: If I get used to not having you
Korean: 그때가 오면 그때가 되면 그때 그때 그때 Phonetic: Geu-ttae-ga oh-myeon geu-ttae-ga dwe-myeon geu-ttae geu-ttae geu-ttae English: When that time comes, when it happens, then, then, then
Korean: 네가 원하든 말든 널 잡을 거고 Phonetic: Neh-ga wun-hah-deun mal-deun nul jah-beul guh-go English: Whether you want it or not, I will hold onto you
Korean: 내가 더 이상 지쳐 걷지 못할 때 Phonetic: Neh-ga duh ee-sang ji-chyuh gut-ji mo-tal ttae English: When I'm too tired to walk anymore
Korean: 그때가 오면 그때가 되면 Phonetic: Geu-ttae-ga oh-myeon geu-ttae-ga dwe-myeon English: When that time comes, when it happens
Korean: 그때 헤어지면 돼 Phonetic: Geu-ttae heh-uh-ji-myeon dwae English: Then we can break up
Verse 2 Korean: 네가 지금처럼 웃어주는 거라면 Phonetic: Neh-ga ji-geum-chuh-rum oo-suh-joo-neun guh-rah-myeon English: If you keep smiling like you are now
Korean: 내가 아파도 괜찮아 나는 정말 괜찮아 Phonetic: Neh-ga ah-pah-do gwen-chan-ah nah-neun jung-mal gwen-chan-ah English: Even if I'm hurting, it's okay, I'm truly okay
Korean: 우리 나중에는 어떻게 될진 몰라도 Phonetic: Oo-ri nah-joong-eh-neun uh-ttuh-keh dwel-jin mol-lah-do English: We don't know what will happen later
Korean: 정해지지 않아서 그게 나는 좋아요 Phonetic: Jeong-hae-ji-ji ah-nah-suh geu-geh nah-neun joh-ah-yo English: It's not set in stone, and I like that part
Chorus 2 Korean: 네가 다른 사람이 좋아지면 Phonetic: Neh-ga dah-reun sah-ram-ee joh-ah-ji-myeon English: If you start to like someone else
Korean: 내가 너 없는 게 익숙해지면 Phonetic: Neh-ga nuh ub-neun geh ik-sook-hae-ji-myeon English: If I get used to not having you
Korean: 그때가 오면 그때가 되면 그때 그때 그때 Phonetic: Geu-ttae-ga oh-myeon geu-ttae-ga dwe-myeon geu-ttae geu-ttae geu-ttae English: When that time comes, when it happens, then, then, then
Korean: 네가 원하든 말든 널 잡을 거고 Phonetic: Neh-ga wun-hah-deun mal-deun nul jah-beul guh-go English: Whether you want it or not, I will hold onto you
Korean: 내가 더 이상 지쳐 걷지 못할 때 Phonetic: Neh-ga duh ee-sang ji-chyuh gut-ji mo-tal ttae English: When I'm too tired to walk anymore
Korean: 그때가 오면 그때가 되면 Phonetic: Geu-ttae-ga oh-myeon geu-ttae-ga dwe-myeon English: When that time comes, when it happens
Korean: 그때 헤어지면 돼 Phonetic: Geu-ttae heh-uh-ji-myeon dwae English: Then we can break up
Bridge Korean: 네가 나를 떠나는 게 싫어서 Phonetic: Neh-ga nah-reul ttuh-nah-neun geh shil-uh-suh English: It's not because I hate you leaving me
Korean: 잡고 싶어서 그러는 게 아냐 Phonetic: Jab-go ship-uh-suh geu-ruh-neun geh ah-nya English: Not because I want to hold onto you
Korean: 네가 아픈 것보다 아픈 게 더는 싫어서 Phonetic: Neh-ga ah-peun gut-boh-dah ah-peun geh duh-neun shil-uh-suh English: It's because I hate hurting more than you hurt
Korean: 그래서 그래 정말이야 나는 정말이야 Phonetic: Geu-reh-suh geu-reh jung-mal-ee-yah nah-neun jung-mal-ee-yah English: That's why, truly, I truly am
Korean: 나를 떠나가려면 멀리 가려면 Phonetic: Nah-reul ttuh-nah-gah-ryuh-myeon mul-li gah-ryuh-myeon English: If you're going to leave me, if you're going far away
Korean: 내가 너 없이 편해질 때까지 Phonetic: Neh-ga nuh ub-ssi pyun-hae-jil ttae-kka-ji English: Until I become comfortable without you
Korean: 떠나지 마 Phonetic: Ttuh-nah-ji mah English: Don't leave
Chorus 3 Korean: 네가 다른 사람이 좋아지면 Phonetic: Neh-ga dah-reun sah-ram-ee joh-ah-ji-myeon English: If you start to like someone else
Korean: 내가 너 없는 게 익숙해지면 Phonetic: Neh-ga nuh ub-neun geh ik-sook-hae-ji-myeon English: If I get used to not having you
Korean: 그때가 오면 그때가 되면 그때 그때 그때 Phonetic: Geu-ttae-ga oh-myeon geu-ttae-ga dwe-myeon geu-ttae geu-ttae geu-ttae English: When that time comes, when it happens, then, then, then
Korean: 네가 원하든 말든 널 잡을 거고 Phonetic: Neh-ga wun-hah-deun mal-deun nul jah-beul guh-go English: Whether you want it or not, I will hold onto you
Korean: 내가 더 이상 지쳐 걷지 못할 때 Phonetic: Neh-ga duh ee-sang ji-chyuh gut-ji mo-tal ttae English: When I'm too tired to walk anymore
Korean: 그때가 오면 그때가 되면 Phonetic: Geu-ttae-ga oh-myeon geu-ttae-ga dwe-myeon English: When that time comes, when it happens
Korean: 그때 헤어지면 돼 Phonetic: Geu-ttae heh-uh-ji-myeon dwae English: Then we can break up
3. How to Maximize Your Korean Learning with 'Only Then'
- Lyric Matching & Translation: Listen to the song while following the Korean lyrics. For unfamiliar words, refer to the English translation. Focus on understanding the overall meaning first.
- Vocabulary Journaling: Create a list of new words and expressions like "사랑하는 법" (the way to love) or "익숙해지다" (to get used to). Try to create your own sentences using them.
- Repetitive Listening & Shadowing: Once you grasp the lyrics, listen repeatedly without looking at the text. Then, practice shadowing, mimicking Roy Kim's pronunciation, intonation, and speed as closely as possible. The phonetic guide above will be a great help!
- Grammar Dissection: Identify the grammar points discussed above within the lyrics. Analyze how they function to convey meaning in the sentences.
- Summarize & Reflect: Try to summarize the song's themes or write a short reflection in Korean. This will boost your Korean writing and Korean speaking skills.
Roy Kim's 'Only Then' is more than just a beautiful song; it's an excellent companion for your Korean learning journey. Let his sincere voice and profound lyrics guide you as you immerse yourself in the Korean language. With consistent effort and genuine interest, you'll find yourself understanding and appreciating Korean more than you ever thought possible!
댓글