BOCA — Dreamcatcher: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync모든 타겟은 널 향해 있어 날 없이 베이는 상처mo·deun ta·ge·seun neol hyang·hae i·sseo nal eop·ssi be·i·neun sang·cheoAll targets are aimed at you, wounds inflicted without rest.Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
In Dreamcatcher's “BOCA”, the singer keeps their mouth shut on purpose, afraid that thorny words might wound someone they love. They see that person numb, worn down and hiding away, and promise to unlock the closed-off space and set them free, even if their way of protecting is dangerous. Wind and thunder add tension, and the song ends on a wish to stop spending precious time on hatred and to breathe again.
Key lines
4 lines from the song in Korean, with how they sound and what they mean. The full line-by-line breakdown lives in the app.
모든 타겟은 널 향해 있어 날 없이 베이는 상처Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): mo·deun ta·ge·seun neol hyang·hae i·sseo nal eop·ssi be·i·neun sang·cheo
Meaning: All targets are aimed at you, wounds inflicted without rest.
Words in this line- 모든mo·deunall
- 타겟은ta·ge·seuntargets
- 널neolyou
- 향해hyang·haeaimed at
- 있어i·sseoare
- 날nalday
- 없이eop·ssiwithout
- 베이는be·i·neuninflicted
- 상처sang·cheowounds
Word for word: All targets toward you are, wounds without day are inflicted.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: '타겟' (target) is a metaphor for criticism and attention; '날 없이' literally 'without a day' means constant pain. Together they create an image of relentless pressure and wounding.
아무런 표정도 없이 넌 이미 익숙하단 듯이Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): a·mu·reon pyo·jeong·do eop·ssi neon i·mi ik·ssu·ka·dan deu·si
Meaning: With no expression at all, you're already used to it, as if it's natural.
Words in this line- 아무런a·mu·reonno
- 표정도pyo·jeong·doexpression
- 없이eop·ssiwithout
- 넌neonyou
- 이미i·mialready
- 익숙하단ik·ssu·ka·danaccustomed
- 듯이deu·sias if
Word for word: No facial expression without you already accustomed, as if naturally.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: '아무런 표정도 없이' emphasizes emotional numbness; '익숙하단 듯이' means pain has become habit, a way of life. Together they describe adaptation to suffering.
가시 같은 그 말로Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): ga·si ga·teun geu mal·lo
Meaning: With those thorn-like words
Words in this line- 가시ga·sithorn
- 같은ga·teunlike
- 그geuthat
- 말로mal·lowith words
Word for word: thorn like that with words
Why it doesn't translate word for word: Korean puts the modifier "thorn-like" (가시 같은) before the noun it describes, and the instrumental particle 로 ("with") sticks to the end of "words" rather than starting the phrase like English does. It means hurting someone with sharp, cutting words. Key words: 가시 (thorn), 말로 (with words).
다시 숨 쉴 수 있게Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): da·si sum swil ssu it·kke
Meaning: So I can breathe again
Words in this line- 다시da·siagain
- 숨sumbreath
- 쉴swilbreathe
- 수ssuability
- 있게it·kkeso that
Word for word: Again breath breathe ability to be
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 다시 (again) + 숨 (breath) + 쉴 (breathe) + 수 있게 (ability to be) literally means 'ability to breathe again', but in the song's context it's a metaphor for escaping pain and pressure, returning to normal life.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “BOCA” — Dreamcatcher. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Ask HaeinSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 감아 | ga·ma | close |
| 거기서 | geo·gi·seo | there |
| 거친 | geo·chin | rough, harsh |
| 걸어 | geo·reo | hang |
| 굳게 | gut·kke | firmly |
| 내려쳐라 | nae·ryeo·chyeo·ra | let it strike |
| 막을 | ma·geul | stop |
| 못하게 | mo·ta·ge | won't |
| 못해 | mo·tae | can't |
| 변하지 | byeon·ha·ji | changes |
| 뻔하지 | ppeon·ha·ji | predictable |
| 사무치는 | sa·mu·chi·neun | piercing |
| 아프게 | a·peu·ge | painfully |
| 열지 | yeol·ji | open |
| 위해서 | wi·hae·seo | for the sake of |
| 잠글게 | jam·geul·kke | lock |
| 참지 | cham·jji | can't hold back |
| 한다면 | han·da·myeon | if I did |
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Questions about “BOCA”
What is “BOCA” by Dreamcatcher about?
In Dreamcatcher's “BOCA”, the singer keeps their mouth shut on purpose, afraid that thorny words might wound someone they love.
What does “모든 타겟은 널 향해 있어 날 없이 베이는 상처” mean in “BOCA”?
All targets are aimed at you, wounds inflicted without rest. '타겟' (target) is a metaphor for criticism and attention; '날 없이' literally 'without a day' means constant pain.
What does “아무런 표정도 없이 넌 이미 익숙하단 듯이” mean in “BOCA”?
With no expression at all, you're already used to it, as if it's natural. '아무런 표정도 없이' emphasizes emotional numbness; '익숙하단 듯이' means pain has become habit, a way of life.
How do you pronounce “가시 같은 그 말로”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “ga·si ga·teun geu mal·lo”: that's how it's actually sung by Dreamcatcher, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “BOCA” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Haein goes through all 45 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official music video
The video loads from YouTube only when you press play. YouTube ↗
Credits and sources
- Artist
- Dreamcatcher
- Official video
- 1theK (원더케이) · YouTube
Lyrics and music belong to their rights holders. This page quotes no more than four lines for commentary; the translations, pronunciation and explanations are written by theIDOL.