Imaginary Friend — ITZY: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync네 꿈들도 현실이 되게ne kkum·deul·do hyeon·si·ri doe·geSo that your dreams come true too.Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
“Imaginary Friend” by ITZY is about a companion who exists only in someone's imagination and watches over them through the night. Born from an illusion and calling herself a fallen angel, she asks to be summoned without fear and promises to guard you from the monsters on the ceiling so you can dream. She later turns into a small spark of strength, dancing and racing beside you toward the top.
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.
네 꿈들도 현실이 되게Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): ne kkum·deul·do hyeon·si·ri doe·ge
Meaning: So that your dreams come true too.
Words in this line- 네neyour
- 꿈들도kkum·deul·dodreams too
- 현실이hyeon·si·rireality
- 되게doe·geso they become
Word for word: Your dreams-too reality-into become-so.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 꿈 means both 'dream' and 'wish', and 현실이 되다 is 'become reality'. The ending ~게 expresses purpose, 'so that', and 도 means 'too'. Together it is a promise to fulfill wishes, not just a description.
왜? 두려워 마Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): wae? du·ryeo·wo ma
Meaning: Why? Don't be afraid.
Words in this line- 왜?wae?why
- 두려워du·ryeo·woafraid
- 마madon't
Word for word: Why? Fearful don't.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 두려워 is 'fearful' and 마 is 'don't'. Alone they are a description and a prohibition, but together they make a tender 'don't be scared'. 왜 softens it into a comforting nudge.
상상 속에 자라난Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): sang·sang so·ge ja·ra·nan
Meaning: Grown inside imagination
Words in this line- 상상sang·sangimagination
- 속에so·geinside
- 자라난ja·ra·nangrown up
Word for word: Imagination inside grown-up
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 상상 means imagination, 속에 means inside, and 자라난 means grown up. Korean puts the describing phrase before what it describes, so the literal order looks backward. Natural English says it grew in the imagination.
You know, I'm 너의 밤이 되어줄게Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): You know, I'm neo·ui ba·mi doe·eo·jul·kke
Meaning: You know, I'll be your night
Words in this line- 너의neo·uiyour
- 밤이ba·minight
- 되어줄게doe·eo·jul·kkeI'll become for you
Word for word: You know, I your night will-become-for-you
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 되어줄게 combines 되다 to become and 줄게 I'll do for you. Together it is a tender promise to be something for someone. Night here means shelter and calm rather than darkness.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Imaginary Friend” — ITZY. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Ask YoonaSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 거야 | geo·ya | it will be |
| 기억 | gi·eok | memory |
| 깨어난 | kkae·eo·nan | awakened |
| 꿈을 | kku·meul | dream |
| 너와 | neo·wa | you and |
| 네게 | ne·ge | to you |
| 다른 | da·reun | different |
| 믿을 | mi·deul | to believe |
| 새롭게 | sae·rop·kke | anew |
| 색의 | sae·gui | of color |
| 숨결마저 | sum·gyeol·ma·jeo | even breath |
| 안에 | a·ne | inside |
| 이제야 | i·je·ya | only now |
| 있게 | it·kke | so you can |
| 있니 | in·ni | is there |
| 작은 | ja·geun | small |
| 존재해 | jon·jae·hae | exist |
| 태어나 | tae·eo·na | am born |
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Questions about “Imaginary Friend”
What is “Imaginary Friend” by ITZY about?
“Imaginary Friend” by ITZY is about a companion who exists only in someone's imagination and watches over them through the night.
What does “네 꿈들도 현실이 되게” mean in “Imaginary Friend”?
So that your dreams come true too. 꿈 means both 'dream' and 'wish', and 현실이 되다 is 'become reality'.
What does “왜? 두려워 마” mean in “Imaginary Friend”?
Why? Don't be afraid. 두려워 is 'fearful' and 마 is 'don't'.
How do you pronounce “상상 속에 자라난”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “sang·sang so·ge ja·ra·nan”: that's how it's actually sung by ITZY, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Imaginary Friend” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Yoona goes through all 39 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
- ITZY
- Official video
- JYP Entertainment · 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.