I.O.I
Suddenly (갑자기) — I.O.I: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync잊으려 누웠는데i·jeu·ryeo nu·won·neun·deI lay down trying to forgetListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
I.O.I's “Suddenly” is about a wave of longing for someone she had to let go and still can't forget. A faded memory, like the red glow of a sunset, follows her through a sleepless midnight where feelings fall like stars, and out onto a jammed road. She tries to act fine and erase it, but the memories keep flickering, and she ends up almost protesting that the person has barged back in.
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.
잊으려 누웠는데Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): i·jeu·ryeo nu·won·neun·de
Meaning: I lay down trying to forget
Words in this line- 잊으려i·jeu·ryeoto forget
- 누웠는데nu·won·neun·delay down, but
Word for word: Intending to forget, I lay down, but...
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The original never says 'you' or 'in bed': 잊으려 is 'intending to forget' and 누웠는데 is 'lay down'. The ending -는데 leaves the thought hanging, as if 'but it isn't working' follows. The natural translation has to fill in what the grammar only implies.
내 마음 알아주던 너는 어디 있을까Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): nae ma·eum a·ra·ju·deon neo·neun eo·di i·sseul·kka
Meaning: Where are you, who understood my heart?
Words in this line- 내naemy
- 마음ma·eumheart
- 알아주던a·ra·ju·deonwho understood
- 너는neo·neunyou
- 어디eo·diwhere
- 있을까i·sseul·kkaI wonder if you are
알아주다 is not just 'to know' but 'to understand and acknowledge'. The ending -ㄹ까 turns the line into a wistful question to oneself.
잊은 줄 알았는데Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): i·jeun jul a·ran·neun·de
Meaning: I thought I had forgotten.
Words in this line- 잊은i·jeunforgotten
- 줄julthat (thought)
- 알았는데a·ran·neun·dethought, but...
Word for word: Forgotten way knew-but.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: On their own 잊은 is 'forgotten', 줄 is 'way/manner' and 알았는데 is 'knew, but'. Together 잊은 줄 알았는데 means 'I thought I had forgotten (but I haven't)'. The ending -는데 leaves the thought hanging, which carries the bitterness.
너 뭔데 갑자기Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): neo mwon·de gap·jja·gi
Meaning: Who are you to suddenly show up?
Words in this line- 너neoyou
- 뭔데mwon·dewho/what are you
- 갑자기gap·jja·gisuddenly
Word for word: You what-is-but suddenly.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: On its own 뭔데 is 'what is it, but', and 갑자기 is 'suddenly'. Together 너 뭔데 is a blunt, bewildered 'who do you think you are?'. The -ㄴ데 ending adds reproach and puzzlement.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Suddenly” — I.O.I. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Ask RenaSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 감정들이 | gam·jeong·deu·ri | feelings |
| 그렇게 | geu·reo·ke | like that |
| 그리움에 | geu·ri·u·me | with longing |
| 기억 | gi·eok | memory |
| 너에 | neo·e | of you |
| 대한 | dae·han | concerning |
| 맘속 | mam·sok | inside heart |
| 머나먼 | meo·na·meon | far away |
| 밝아오네 | bal·ga·o·ne | dawns |
| 별처럼 | byeol·cheo·reom | like stars |
| 사무쳐 | sa·mu·chyeo | pierced through |
| 생각에 | saeng·ga·ge | in thoughts |
| 쏟아져 | sso·da·jyeo | pour out |
| 아침이 | a·chi·mi | morning |
| 이젠 | i·jen | now |
| 자려고 | ja·ryeo·go | to sleep |
| 잠겨 | jam·gyeo | submerged |
| 하나 | ha·na | do I? |
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Questions about “Suddenly”
What is “Suddenly” by I.O.I about?
I.O.I's “Suddenly” is about a wave of longing for someone she had to let go and still can't forget.
What does “잊으려 누웠는데” mean in “Suddenly”?
I lay down trying to forget. The original never says 'you' or 'in bed': 잊으려 is 'intending to forget' and 누웠는데 is 'lay down'.
What does “잊은 줄 알았는데” mean in “Suddenly”?
I thought I had forgotten. On their own 잊은 is 'forgotten', 줄 is 'way/manner' and 알았는데 is 'knew, but'.
How do you pronounce “내 마음 알아주던 너는 어디 있을까”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “nae ma·eum a·ra·ju·deon neo·neun eo·di i·sseul·kka”: that's how it's actually sung by I.O.I, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Suddenly” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Rena goes through all 34 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
- I.O.I
- Official video
- STONE MUSIC · 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.