이제 나만 믿어요 – Bilingual Lyrics Korean/English

• By: 임영웅

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a beautiful linguistic journey with Lim Young-woong's "이제 나만 믿어요" (Now Trust Only Me). This beloved trot-ballad is a perfect song for Korean language learners, offering clear pronunciation and emotionally rich vocabulary centered around themes of gratitude, love, and steadfast promises. Its sincere lyrics provide insight into Korean expressions of deep affection and commitment, making it an engaging way to learn meaningful phrases and cultural sentiments through music.

[English]

What was I believing in – in my own inadequacy?

Someone who stayed with me, even when I couldn’t believe in myself.

What did I see – in me who had nothing?

You held my hand without hesitation, leading me forward.

It was the best – the image of myself reflected in your eyes.

Now, from me – I’ll shine a light on you.

When a harsh rain falls – I’ll be your biggest umbrella in the world.

You – walk on comfortably.

If you get tired of walking – I’ll hold you and take you anywhere.

Now – just trust in me.

The luck that left me behind – the luck that just passed me by –

Has become you, coming to me.

When a harsh rain falls – I’ll be your biggest umbrella in the world.

You – walk on comfortably.

If you get tired of walking – I’ll hold you and take you anywhere.

Now – just trust in me.

Becoming my last – leading role.

Before anyone else – never lower your head again.

The time that I didn’t see – the time you endured alone,

Thank you, and I’m sorry.

I love you.

This world – has played a long joke on us,

But we – weren’t fooled.

Now, don’t cry anymore – when times are good, laugh as much as you want all night long.

Everything – is yours.

[Korean]

무얼 믿은 걸까 부족했던 내게서

나조차 못 믿던 내게 여태 머문 사람

무얼 봤던 걸까 가진 것도 없던 내게

무작정 내 손을 잡아 날 이끈 사람

최고였어 그대 눈 속에 비친 내 모습

이제는 내게서 그댈 비춰줄게

궂은 비가 오면 세상 가장 큰 그대 우산이 될게

그댄 편히 걸어가요

걷다가 지치면 내가 그대를 안고 어디든 갈게

이제 나만 믿어요

나만 두고 가던 나만 스쳐 간 행운이 모여

그대가 되어서 내게 와준 거야

궂은 비가 오면 세상 가장 큰 그대 우산이 될게

그댄 편히 걸어가요

걷다가 지치면 내가 그대를 안고 어디든 갈게

이제 나만 믿어요

나의 마지막 주인공이 되어

다신 누구 앞에서도 그대는 고개 숙이지 마요

내가 보지 못했던 홀로 고단했던 시간

고맙고 미안해요

사랑해요

이 세상은 우리를 두고 오랜 장난을 했고

우린 속지 않은 거야

이제 울지 마요 좋을 땐 밤새도록 맘껏 웃어요

전부 그대 꺼니까

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
믿다 midda Level 2	verb - to believe, to trust
부족하다 bujokhada Level 3	verb - to be insufficient, to lack
사람 saram Level 1	noun - person, human
머무르다 meomureuda Level 3	verb - to stay, to remain
눈 nun Level 1	noun - eye
모습 moseup Level 2	noun - appearance, look
비추다 bichuda Level 3	verb - to shine onto, to reflect
비 bi Level 1	noun - rain
우산 usan Level 2	noun - umbrella
걷다 geotda Level 2	verb - to walk
지치다 jichida Level 3	verb - to become tired, to be exhausted
안다 anda Level 2	verb - to hug, to hold
사랑하다 saranghada Level 1	verb - to love
고맙다 gomapda Level 2	adjective - grateful, thankful
미안하다 mianhada Level 2	verb - to be sorry, to apologize
고단하다 godanhada Level 5	adjective - exhausted, weary
주인공 juingong Level 4	noun - main character, protagonist
마지막 majimag Level 2	adjective - last, final
장난 jangnan Level 2	noun - play, prank, mischief
울다 ulda Level 1	verb - to cry, to weep

Key Grammar Structures

• 무얼 믿은 걸까

  ➔ Past tense with question ending -'까'

  ➔ The sentence asks what someone believed. The '-걸까' ending adds a nuance of wondering or self-questioning about a past action. The word being highlighted is '믿은' (believed).

• 가진 것도 없던 내게

  ➔ '-던' past habitual marker

  ➔ '-던' indicates that the speaker *used to* have nothing. It describes a past state that was ongoing or habitual. The word being highlighted is '가진' (having).

• 나만 믿어요

  ➔ Imperative mood with subject particle '만'

  ➔ This is a direct command: 'Trust only me'. '만' emphasizes 'only'. The word being highlighted is '믿어요' (trust).

• 다신 누구 앞에서도 그대는 고개 숙이지 마요

  ➔ Negative imperative with '-지 마요'

  ➔ This is a strong negative command: 'Never bow your head before anyone again'. '-지 마요' makes the command negative. The word being highlighted is '숙이지' (bow).