Along with all the 80s fashion, old car models, desks covered in landlines, and cassette players, Snowdrop did a fantastic job of using music to transport viewers back to the year 1987. I’m not Korean, nor was I alive during the 1980s, but I immediately recognised this song when it started to play during the bangting item selection sequence in EP01; it’s that well known, even today.
The song was originally released by Lee Eun-ha in 1986; she wrote the lyrics herself, while Jang Deok composed the music. It’s since been covered by a number of artists, including Luna, Jo Seong-mo, Woongsan, Kim Hui-jae, and others. I’ve included a few renditions below for anyone interested in comparing.
Vocals: Lee Eun-ha (1986)
Composition: Jang Deok | Lyrics: Lee Eun-ha
날 위해 울지 말아요
nal wihae ulji marayo
Don’t cry for me
날 위해 슬퍼 말아요
nal wihae seulpeo marayo
Don’t be sad for me
그렇게 바라보지 말아요
geureohke baraboji marayo
Don’t gaze at me like that
의미를 잃어버린 그 표정
uimi-reul irheo-beorin geu pyojeong
With that expression that’s lost all meaning
날 사랑하지 말아요
nal sarang-haji marayo
Don’t love me
너무 늦은 얘기잖아요
neomu neujeun yaegi-janhayo
It’s far too late for that
애타게 기다리지 말아요
aetage gidariji marayo
Don’t wait for me desperately
사랑은 끝났으니까
sarang-eun kkeutnasseunikka
Since our love is over
그대 왜 나를 그냥 떠나가게 했나요
geudae wae na-reul geunyang ddeonagage haettnayo
Why did you have me just leave?
이렇게 다시 후회할 줄 알았다면
ireohke dashi huhoe-hal jul arattamyeon
Had I known you would come to regret it like this
아픈 시련 속에 방황하지 않았을 텐데
apeun shiryeon soge banghwang-haji anhasseul tende
I wouldn’t have wandered in painful torment
사랑은 이제 내게 남아 있지 않아요
sarang-eun ije nae-ge nama itji anhayo
There’s no love left in me now
아무런 느낌 가질 수 없어요
amureon neukkim gajil su eopseoyo
I can’t feel anything
미소를 띄우며 나를 보낸 그 모습처럼
miso-reul dduiumyeo na-reul bonaen geu moseup-chereom
Like the way you looked when you sent me away with a smile
그대 왜 나를 그냥 떠나가게 했나요
geudae wae na-reul geunyang ddeonagage haettnayo
Why did you have me just leave?
이렇게 다시 후회할 줄 알았다면
ireohke dashi huhoe-hal jul arattamyeon
Had I known you would come to regret it like this
아픈 시련 속에 방황하지 않았을 텐데
apeun shiryeon soge banghwang-haji anhasseul tende
I wouldn’t have wandered in painful torment
사랑은 이제 내게 남아 있지 않아요
sarang-eun ije nae-ge nama itji anhayo
There’s no love left in me now
아무런 느낌 가질 수 없어요
amureon neukkim gajil su eopseoyo
I can’t feel anything
미소를 띄우며 나를 보낸 그 모습처럼
miso-reul dduiumyeo na-reul bonaen geu moseup-chereom
Like the way you looked when you sent me away with a smile
나를 보낸 그 모습처럼
na-reul bonaen geu moseup-chereom
Like the way you looked when you sent me away
This is the original 1986 recording of the song, performed by Lee Eun-ha.
Here’s a rendition performed by vocal powerhouses Eun-ji (Apink), Solar (Mamamoo), Luna (formerly of f(x)), and Ailee (solo artist) performed on Inkigayo in 2016.
Here’s an acoustic version by Kim So-yeon on Sing Again 2 (kind of like the X Factor, etc). You can see Lee Seung-gi’s face immediately light up with recognition when she starts to sing it.
All source materials belong to the parties to which they are licensed. All translations are our own.