Blueming — IU: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync엄지손가락으로 장미꽃을 피워eom·ji·son·ga·ra·geu·ro jang·mi·kko·cheul pi·woI paint roses with the touch of my thumb.Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
In IU's “Blueming,” a woman falls for someone and expresses it through late-night texts and emoticons on a shared phone screen. She imagines the chat as a secret garden of roses, hoping the other person reads her playful hints and answers honestly. Giddy and flushed with nerves, it feels like a courtship that is beautiful even if it might fade.
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.
엄지손가락으로 장미꽃을 피워Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): eom·ji·son·ga·ra·geu·ro jang·mi·kko·cheul pi·wo
Meaning: I paint roses with the touch of my thumb.
Words in this line- 엄지손가락으로eom·ji·son·ga·ra·geu·rowith thumb
- 장미꽃을jang·mi·kko·cheulrose
- 피워pi·wobloom
Word for word: With-thumb rose bloom
Why it doesn't translate word for word: "엄지손가락" (eomji songarak) is the thumb we use to touch the screen. "장미꽃을 피워" (jangmi-kkot-eul piwo) literally means "make a rose bloom," but it's a metaphor for how simple messages and emojis become symbols of love and beauty. It completes the image of a blooming conversation.
띄어쓰기 없이 보낼게 사랑인 것 같아Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): ttui·eo·sseu·gi eop·ssi bo·nael·kke sa·rang·in geot ga·ta
Meaning: I'll send it without spaces, it feels like love.
Words in this line- 띄어쓰기ttui·eo·sseu·gispaces
- 없이eop·ssiwithout
- 보낼게bo·nael·kkesend
- 사랑인sa·rang·inlove
- 것geotthing
- 같아ga·taseems
Word for word: Without spaces I will send, seems like love.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: Sending a message without spaces is an image of rushing and intensity, where words blur together from overwhelming emotion. It's a metaphor for how love makes us lose control and act impulsively.
백만 송이 장미 꽃을 나랑 피워 볼래Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): baeng·man song·i jang·mi kko·cheul na·rang pi·wo bol·lae
Meaning: Will you bloom a million roses with me?
Words in this line- 백만baeng·manmillion
- 송이song·iblooms
- 장미jang·miroses
- 꽃을kko·cheulflowers
- 나랑na·rangwith me
- 피워pi·wobloom
- 볼래bol·laewill you
Word for word: Million roses flowers with me bloom want you?
Why it doesn't translate word for word: "Bloom a million roses" is a romantic metaphor for creating something beautiful together. The rose symbolizes love, and a million emphasizes the scale and depth of feeling. It's an invitation to create and love together.
꽃잎의 색은 우리 마음 가는 대로 칠해Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): kko·chi·pui sae·geun u·ri ma·eum ga·neun dae·ro chi·rae
Meaning: We'll paint the color of the petals however our hearts desire.
Words in this line- 꽃잎의kko·chi·puipetals
- 색은sae·geuncolor
- 우리u·riour
- 마음ma·eumheart
- 가는ga·neungoes
- 대로dae·roas
- 칠해chi·raepaint
Word for word: Color of petals according to desire of our heart we will paint.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: "Paint according to the heart's desire" is an image of freedom and creativity in a relationship. It means there are no rules in love; each person can be themselves and express feelings as their heart guides them.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Blueming” — IU. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Ask BomiSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 가득히 | ga·deu·ki | fully |
| 가빠져 | ga·ppa·jyeo | quickens |
| 고르지 | go·reu·ji | choose |
| 관계의 | gwan·gye·ui | relationship |
| 궁금해 | gung·geum·hae | curious |
| 글자에 | geul·ja·e | characters |
| 금세 | geum·se | soon |
| 너에게 | neo·e·ge | to you |
| 네모 | ne·mo | square |
| 둘만의 | dul·ma·nui | two only |
| 보내 | bo·nae | send |
| 비밀의 | bi·mi·rui | secret |
| 송이를 | song·i·reul | flower |
| 오직 | o·jik | only |
| 정원 | jeong·won | garden |
| 취할 | chwi·hal | intoxicated |
| 칸은 | ka·neun | block |
| 향기에 | hyang·gi·e | fragrance |
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Questions about “Blueming”
What is “Blueming” by IU about?
In IU's “Blueming,” a woman falls for someone and expresses it through late-night texts and emoticons on a shared phone screen.
What does “엄지손가락으로 장미꽃을 피워” mean in “Blueming”?
I paint roses with the touch of my thumb. "엄지손가락" (eomji songarak) is the thumb we use to touch the screen.
What does “띄어쓰기 없이 보낼게 사랑인 것 같아” mean in “Blueming”?
I'll send it without spaces, it feels like love. Sending a message without spaces is an image of rushing and intensity, where words blur together from overwhelming emotion.
How do you pronounce “백만 송이 장미 꽃을 나랑 피워 볼래”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “baeng·man song·i jang·mi kko·cheul na·rang pi·wo bol·lae”: that's how it's actually sung by IU, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Blueming” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Bomi goes through all 44 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
- IU
- 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.