Uphill Road – Bilingual Lyrics Korean/English

• By: Park Bo Gum, Yoon Jong Shin
• Album: The Seasons: Cantabile of Park Bo Gum

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music can be a deeply moving experience, and "Uphill Road" is a perfect example. Its clear and emotional lyrics about perseverance offer a great opportunity to learn expressive Korean vocabulary. The song's narrative of mutual support through hardship makes it a special and relatable piece for learners, allowing them to connect with the language on an emotional level.

[English]

Now, the smile will fade away.

Look at this steep road.

Yeah, let's remember the smile before we climb.

I might not see you for a long time.

On the path we’ve walked, which was gentle,

There’s the sweet scent of love.

Now, it’s just our sweaty tears and ragged breaths,

Which might be our only conversation.

One step, just one step now.

Don’t look at that distant end.

Keep looking at me, like the peaceful road.

Then I’ll endure it.

I love you, you who walk this road with me.

You chose me, even though I’m difficult (You chose me, even though I’m difficult).

Only when the wind blows sometimes,

Look at that distant scenery.

Our road, beautiful as much as we’ve climbed.

Remember, if we ever let go of each other's hands (oh-oh-oh),

Don’t ever be discouraged and wander around (Don’t ever be discouraged and wander around).

There’s nowhere else to climb, that place isn’t that big.

If we meet and climb to the top eventually,

...

One step, just one step now.

Don’t look at that distant end.

Keep looking at me, like the peaceful road.

Then (then) I’ll endure it (oh-oh, ooh).

I love you, you who walk this road with me.

You chose me, even though I’m difficult (You chose me, even though I’m difficult).

Only when the wind blows sometimes,

Look at that distant scenery.

Our road, beautiful as much as we’ve climbed, oh-whoa.

Remember, if we ever let go of each other's hands.

Don’t ever be discouraged and wander around (Don’t ever be discouraged and wander around).

There’s nowhere else to climb, that place isn’t that big.

We’ll meet eventually, and shout out loud.

I love you.

All the way to the end.

...

[Korean]

이제부터 웃음기 사라질거야

가파른 이 길을 좀 봐

그래 오르기 전에 미소를 기억해두자

오랫동안 못 볼 지 몰라

완만했던 우리가 지나온 길엔

달콤한 사랑의 향기

이제 끈적이는 땀 거칠게 내쉬는 숨이

우리 유일한 대화일지 몰라

한걸음 이제 한걸음일 뿐

아득한 저 끝은 보지마

평온했던 길처럼 계속 나를 바라봐줘

그러면 견디겠어

사랑해 이 길 함께 가는 그대

굳이 고 (굳이 고) 된 나를 택한 그대여 (된 나를 택한 그대여)

가끔 바람이 불 때만

저 먼 풍경을 바라봐

올라온 만큼 아름다운 우리 길

기억해 혹시 우리 손 놓쳐도 (oh-oh-oh)

절대 당 (절대 당) 황하고 헤매지 마요 (황하고 헤매지 마요)

더 이상 오를 곳 없는, 그 곳은 넓지 않아서

우린 결국엔 만나 오른다면

한걸음 이제 한걸음일 뿐

아득한 저 끝은 보지마 평

온했던 길처럼 계속 나를 바라봐줘

그러면 (그러면) 견디겠어 (oh-oh, ooh)

사랑해 이 길 함께 가는 그대

굳이 고 (굳이 고) 된 나를 택한 그대여 (된 나를 택한 그대여)

가끔 바람이 불 때만

저 먼 풍경을 바라봐

올라온 만큼 아름다운 우리 길, oh-whoa

기억해 혹시 우리 손 놓쳐도

절대 당 (절대 당) 황하고 헤매지 마요 (황하고 헤매지 마요)

더 이상 오를 곳 없는, 그 곳은 넓지 않아서

우린 결국엔 만나, 크게 소리 쳐

사랑해요

저 끝까지

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
길 /gil/ A2	noun - road, path, way
웃음 /useum/ A2	noun - laughter, smile
기억 /gieok/ B1	noun - memory, remembrance
사랑 /sarang/ A2	noun - love
바라봐 /barabwa/ B1	verb - to look at, to gaze at
아름다운 /areumdaun/ B2	adjective - beautiful, lovely
견디다 /gyeondida/ B2	verb - to endure, to withstand
향기 /hyanggi/ B1	noun - fragrance, scent
땀 /ttam/ A2	noun - sweat
거칠게 /geochilge/ B1	adverb - roughly, harshly
놓치다 /nochidda/ B2	verb - to miss, to let go
황하다 /hwanghada/ C1	verb - to be confused, to be bewildered
택하다 /teakhada/ B2	verb - to choose, to select
바람 /baram/ A2	noun - wind
풍경 /punggyeong/ B1	noun - scenery, landscape
소리치다 /sorichida/ B2	verb - to shout, to yell

Key Grammar Structures

• 이제부터 웃음기 사라질거야

  ➔ 이제부터 (ijebeoseuteo) - From now on

  ➔ The use of '이제부터' indicates a shift in time and tone, signaling a change from a lighter mood to a more challenging one. It's a common phrase to introduce a new phase or situation.

• 완만했던 우리가 지나온 길엔 달콤한 사랑의 향기

  ➔ 완만했던 (wanmanhaetdeon) - Gentle/sloping (past tense)

  ➔ The past tense adjective '완만했던' (wanmanhaetdeon) contrasts with the '가파른 길' (gapacheun gil - steep road) mentioned later, highlighting the difference between the past ease and the present difficulty. It evokes a sense of nostalgia.

• 끈적이는 땀 거칠게 내쉬는 숨이 우리 유일한 대화일지 몰라

  ➔ 끈적이는 (kkeunjeogineun) - Sticky/viscous

  ➔ The use of '끈적이는' (kkeunjeogineun) to describe sweat creates a vivid image of the physical struggle. The phrase '우리 유일한 대화일지 몰라' (uri yuilhan daehwa ilji molla - it might be our only conversation) is a poetic expression of how communication becomes reduced to basic physical responses during hardship.

• 아득한 저 끝은 보지마 평온했던 길처럼 계속 나를 바라봐줘

  ➔ 아득한 (adeukhan) - Distant/far away

  ➔ The use of '아득한' (adeukhan) emphasizes the overwhelming distance of the goal. The instruction '평온했던 길처럼 계속 나를 바라봐줘' (pyeongonhaetdeon gilcheoreom gyesok nareul barabwajwo - keep looking at me like the peaceful road) is a plea for unwavering support and focus on the present.

• 굳이 고 된 나를 택한 그대여

  ➔ 굳이 (eodi) - Even if/despite

  ➔ The phrase '굳이 고 된 나를 택한 그대여' (eodi go doen nareul taekhan geudae yeo - you who chose me, even with all my hardships) expresses deep gratitude and acknowledges the sacrifices of the loved one. '굳이' emphasizes the deliberate and perhaps unexpected choice.

• 절대 당 황하고 헤매지 마요

  ➔ 절대 (jeoldaeeo) - Absolutely/never

  ➔ The use of '절대' (jeoldaeeo) emphasizes the importance of remaining calm and not losing direction. The phrase '당황하고 헤매지 마요' (danghwanghago hemaejiyo - don't panic and wander) is a comforting reassurance.