AAK! Music: Rainy Apgujeong by Brown Eyes (2002)

It's raining in New York. Here is a song for the rain, for the Korean's hometown. Today's selection is Rainy Apgujeong (비오는 압구정) by Brown Eyes.

비오는 압구정

Rainy Apgujeong

비오는 압구정 골목길에서 그댈 기다리다가 나 혼자 술에 취한 밤

Rainy Apgujeong night when, while waiting for you in the alley, I got drunk by myself

혹시나 그댈 마주칠까봐 두시간 지나도록 마냥 기다리네

 Just in case I run into you, for over two hours, I just keep waiting

Oh rainy day 어쩌면 이젠 못볼지도 몰라

Oh rainy day. We may never see each other now

일부러 니가 다시 날 찾기전엔

Unless you purposefully look for me again

Oh rainy day tonight

Oh rainy day tonight

너와 나의 인연이 여기까지일까

Is this it for the tie between you and I

며칠전까진 여기서 널 보곤 했는데

 Just a few days ago I used to meet you here

오늘은 전화도 꺼놨나봐

Today, looks like you turned off your phone too

그대 목소릴 닮은 서운한 비만 오네

Only the rain, apathetic like your voice

Oh rainy day tonight

Oh rainy day tonight

너와 나의 인연이 여기까지일까

Is this it for the tie between you and I

며칠전까진 여기서 널 보곤 했는데

 Just a few days ago I used to meet you here

오늘은 전화도 꺼놨나봐

Today, looks like you turned off your phone too

그댈 기다리다가 나혼자 술에 취한 밤

The night when, while waiting for you, I got drunk by myself

혹시나 그댈 마주칠까봐 두시간 지나도록 마냥 기다리네

 Just in case I run into you, for over two hours, I just keep waiting

Oh rainy day

Oh rainy day

어쩌면 이젠 못볼지도 몰라

We may never see each other now 

일부러 니가 다시 날 찾기까전엔

Unless you purposefully look for me again 

Oh rainy day tonight

Oh rainy day tonight

너와 나의 인연이 여기까지일까

Is this it for the tie between you and I 

그대 목소릴 닮은 비만 오네

Only the rain, like your voice

Briefly about Brown Eyes:  Brown Eyes is an R&B band made up of Yoon Geon (real name: Yang Chang-Ik) and Na-Eol (real name: Yoo Na-Eol). The band released its first album in 2001, and has released three albums so far. Their eponymous first album sold 700,000 albums without the band holding a single concert, which has to be a record of some sort. The band had a long hiatus in 2002 after the second album's release, during which Na-Eol performed as a part of a different band called Brown Eyed Soul while Yoon Geon went solo. The two released the third album under the Brown Eyes name in 2009; Yoon Geon said that both Na-Eol and Yoon Geon will by and large pursue solo careers, but will release music under Brown Eyes name from time to time, pending Na-Eol's completion of his military duties. The entire proceeds from the third album was donated to World Vision, a Christian charity.

About this song:  Rainy Apgujeong was listed on Brown Eyes' second album, titled "Reason 4 Breathing?"

Translation notes:  The lyrics that were originally in English are highlighted in blue.

- Apgujeong is a nouveau riche district in Seoul that is known for chic fashion boutiques as well as upscale shopping, restaurants and bars.

- 인연 and 서운한 were very difficult to translate. They turned out very inelegant. The Korean hates these moments.

- The first line of the song was also very inelegant -- even more so because the underlying message of what it means to be hanging out at Apgujeong is entirely lost.

The Korean on Brown Eyes:  Although sometimes slips into the banal Korea-friendly soft rock, overall very good R&B, and very good voice. Considering the two's success with their later efforts, had a potential to dominate the K-pop scene for a long time if they stayed together.

Significance in K-Pop History:  (1 = instantly forgettable; 5 = popular at the time, ultimately forgettable; 10 = transcendental history-maker)  5.5 out of 10.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.