내 사랑 내 곁에 My Love by My Side - 김현식 Kim Hyun-sik (1991) : Lyrics & English Translation

 

This track is the title song of legendary Korean singer Kim Hyun-sik's 6th album, released posthumously in 1991. Written and composed by Oh Tae-ho, it stands alongside "Like Rain, Like Music" as one of his greatest career hits and is universally recognized as one of the most iconic masterpieces in the history of Korean popular music.

Upon its release, the song became a nationwide phenomenon, transcending generational gaps to capture the hearts of older generations, who typically overlooked ballads, as well as youth in their teens and twenties, who preferred dance music. It dominated music charts and broadcasts for an extended period in the 1990s. Even today, it remains highly recognized among the younger generation and consistently ranks at the very top of lists compiling the greatest Korean songs of all time, celebrated for embodying a uniquely Korean emotional sentiment.

Kim Hyun-sik passed away in 1990 at the young age of 32 from liver cirrhosis, meaning this definitive 1990s anthem was released after his death. Due to the heavy toll of his illness, drinking, and smoking, his performance in this song features a deeply raspy, husky vocal style. As a result, those unfamiliar with his early career often remember him strictly as a husky vocalist, unaware of his original clear, melodic singing voice.

[내 사랑 내 곁에 가사 해석]
[My Love by My Side Lyrics & English Translation]

나의 모든 사랑이 떠나가는 날이

Nae modeun sarangi tteonaganeun nari

The day when all my love leaves me

당신의 그 웃음 뒤에서 함께하는데

Dangsinui geu useum dwieseo hamkkehaneunde

Is happening right behind your smile

철이 없는 욕심에 그 많은 미련에

Cheori eomneun yoksime geu manheun miryeone

With my immature greed and all these lingering regrets

당신이 있는 건 아닌지 아니겠지요

Dangsini inneun geon aninji anigetjiyo

I wonder if you are still there, but surely you aren't

시간은 멀어 집으로 향해가는데

Siganeun meoreot jibeuro hyanghaeganeunde

Time has passed, and I am heading back home

약속했던 그대만은 올줄을 모르고

Yaksokhaetdeon geudaemaneun o jureul moreugo

But you, who promised, won't return

애써 웃음 지으며 돌아오는 길은

Aesseo useum jiumyeo doraoneun gireun

The way back as I force a smile on my face

왜 그리도 낯설고 멀기만 한지

Wae geurido natseolgo meolgiman hanji

Why does it feel so unfamiliar and so far away?

저 여린 가지 사이로 혼자인 날 느낄 때

Jeo yeorin gaji sairo honjain nal neukkil ttae

When I feel alone through those fragile branches

이렇게 아픈 그대 기억이 날까

Ireoke apeun geudae gieogi nalka

Will these painful memories of you come back to me?

내 사랑 그대 내 곁에 있어 줘

Nae sarang geudae nae gyeote isseo jwo

My love, please stay here by my side

이 세상 하나뿐인 오직 그대만이

I sesang hanappunin ojik geudaemani

You are the only one for me in this world

힘겨운 날에 너마저 떠나면

Himgyeoun nare neomajeo tteonamen

On these weary days, if even you leave me

비틀거릴 내가 안길 곳은 어디에

Biteulgeoril naega angil goseun eodie

Where can I lean when I stumble and fall?

저 여린 가지 사이로 혼자인 날 느낄 때

Jeo yeorin gaji sairo honjain nal neukkil ttae

When I feel alone through those fragile branches

이렇게 아픈 그대 기억이 날까

Ireoke apeun geudae gieogi nalka

Will these painful memories of you come back to me?

내 사랑 그대 내 곁에 있어 줘

Nae sarang geudae nae gyeote isseo jwo

My love, please stay here by my side

이 세상 하나뿐인 오직 그대만이

I sesang hanappunin ojik geudaemani

You are the only one for me in this world

힘겨운 날에 너마저 떠나면

Himgyeoun nare neomajeo tteonamen

On these weary days, if even you leave me

비틀거릴 내가 안길 곳은 어디에

Biteulgeoril naega angil goseun eodie

Where can I lean when I stumble and fall? 

비틀거릴 내가 안길 곳은 어디에

Biteulgeoril naega angil goseun eodie

Where can I lean when I stumble and fall? 

비틀거릴 내가 안길 곳은 어디에

Biteulgeoril naega angil goseun eodie

Where can I lean when I stumble and fall?