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Monday, March 22, 2010

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.

6 comments:

  1. I read online today that Brown Eyed Soul will have a new album out soon, possibly at the end of this month. Finally, some new k-pop sans Auto-Tune!

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  2. Correction: Na-Ul was the one who formed Brown-Eyed Soul (he is currently the leader, the group is making a come back this year because Na-Ul's military service ended). He's famous for being incredibly focused and particular about music, he hand-picked all the members of Brown-Eyed Soul himself (though why he doesn't go solo is beyond me. he has the voice to do it).
    Meanwhile Yoo-Gun was the one who pursued a solo career (with less success than his Brown Eyes era). The original Brown Eyes also made a comeback in 2009 with '가지마 가지마 가지마', which was a hit, though nowhere near as popular as their first two albums.

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  3. You are correct, Baedol. Corrections are made.

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  4. I think 'destiny' might work better as a translation of 인연. Just a thought.

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  5. hey^:) today - such a rainy day !

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  6. @ Baedol

    Actually Naul did go solo for a year. He released a solo album in 2004 titled "Back To The Soulflight" Remake. I hope he comes up with a second solo album as well.. I enjoyed their new double single. Songs are beautifully made. I'm now anticipating on their full length release sometime this year. :D

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