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사랑하기 때문에 Because I Love You - 유재하 Yoo Jae-ha (1987) : Lyrics & English Translation

 

 

Yoo Jae-ha (유재하) is widely regarded as the foundational pioneer of modern Korean pop ballads. Before his groundbreaking debut album in 1987, Korean popular music was heavily dominated by traditional trot or simple folk tunes. Yoo Jae-ha single-handedly revolutionized the industry by introducing complex classical harmonic structures and sophisticated jazz chord progressions into mainstream pop music. Tragically, he passed away in a car accident at the tender age of 25, just months after releasing his first and only album, *Because I Love You (사랑하기 때문에)*. Despite his short life, his musical footprint remains an immortal sanctuary for all generations of Korean musicians.


한국어 가사 (Lyrics)로마자 발음 (Romanization)영문 번역 (English Translation)
처음 느낀 그대 눈빛은Cheo-eum neu-kkin geu-dae nun-bi-cheunYour eyes that I felt for the first time
혼자만의 오해였던가요Hon-ja-ma-ne o-hae-yeot-deon-ga-yoWas it just a misunderstanding of my own?
해맑은 미소로 나를 바보로 만들었소Hae-mal-geun mi-so-ro na-reul ba-bo-ro man-deu-reot-soWith a bright smile, you made me a fool
내 곁을 떠나가던 날Nae gyeo-teul tteo-na-ga-deon nalThe day you left my side
가슴에 품었던 분홍빛의Ga-seu-me pu-meot-deon bu-hong-bi-cheuiThe pink light I held in my heart
수많은 추억들이 푸르게 바래졌소Su-ma-neun chu-eok-deu-ri pu-reu-ge ba-rae-jeot-soCountless memories have faded into blue
어제는 떠난 그대를 잊지 못하는 내가 미웠죠Eo-je-neun tteo-nan geu-dae-reul it-ji mo-ta-neun na-ga mi-wot-jyoYesterday, I hated myself for not being able to forget you
하지만 이제 깨달아요 그대만의 나였음을Ha-ji-man i-je gae-da-ra-yo geu-dae-ma-ne na-yeot-seu-meulBut now I realize that I belonged only to you
다시 돌아온 그대 위해 내 모든 것 드릴테요Da-si do-ra-on geu-dae wi-hae nae mo-deun geot deu-ril-te-yoFor you who have returned again, I will give you my everything
우리 이대로 영원히 헤어지지 않으리U-ri i-dae-ro yeong-won-hi he-eo-ji-ji a-neu-riWe, like this, forever shall never part
난 오직 그대만을 사랑하기 때문에Nan o-jik geu-dae-ma-neul sa-rang-ha-gi ttae-mu-neI, only you, because I love you
커다란 그대를 향해 작아져만 가는 나이기에Keo-da-ran geu-dae-reul hyang-hae ja-ga-jeo-man ga-neun na-i-gi-eBecause I am only growing smaller toward the big you
그 무슨 뜻이라 해도 조용히 따르리오Geu mu-seun tteu-si-ra hae-do jo-yong-hi tta-reu-ri-oNo matter what it means, I will follow quietly
어제는 지난 추억을 잊지 못하는 내가 미웠죠Eo-je-neun ji-nan chu-eok-eul it-ji mo-ta-neun na-ga mi-wot-jyoYesterday, I hated myself for not being able to forget past memories
하지만 이제 깨달아요 그대만의 나였음을Ha-ji-man i-je gae-da-ra-yo geu-dae-ma-ne na-yeot-seu-meulBut now I realize that I belonged only to you
다시 돌아온 그대 위해 내 모든 것 드릴테요Da-si do-ra-on geu-dae wi-hae nae mo-deun geot deu-ril-te-yoFor you who have returned again, I will give you my everything
우리 이대로 영원히 헤어지지 않으리U-ri i-dae-ro yeong-won-hi he-eo-ji-ji a-neu-riWe, like this, forever shall never part
난 오직 그대만을 사랑하기 때문에Nan o-jik geu-dae-ma-neul sa-rang-ha-gi ttae-mu-neI, only you, because I love you
사랑하기 때문에Sa-rang-ha-gi ttae-mu-neBecause I love you



유재하의 음악이 이토록 오랜 시간 사랑받는 이유는 클래식과 재즈가 접목된 세련된 화성과, 과장되지 않고 덤덤하게 고백하는 노랫말 덕분입니다.
The reason Yoo Jae-ha's music remains deeply loved for such a long time lies in its sophisticated harmonies, which seamlessly blend classical elements with jazz, alongside lyrics that offer a calm, understated confession of love.

'커다란 그대를 향해 작아져만 가는 나이기에'라는 구절은 사랑에 빠진 한 인간의 유약함과 진심을 가장 잘 표현한 대목이 아닐까 싶습니다. 단순한 이별 노래를 넘어 진정한 사랑의 가치를 일깨워주는 이 곡을 오늘 밤 다시 한번 감상해 보시는 건 어떨까요?
The line, "Because I am only growing smaller toward the big you," beautifully captures the vulnerability and raw sincerity of a person completely in love. Moving far beyond a simple breakup song, it serves as a poignant reminder of the true value of love. Why not take a moment to listen to this masterpiece once again tonight?

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