Kep1er
WA DA DA — Kep1er: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync네가 있는 곳으로 (와다다다)ni·ga in·neun go·seu·ro (wa·da·da·da)To where you are (wa-da-da-da)Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
Kep1er’s “WA DA DA” is about racing toward a dream with a pounding heart, its title echoing the sound of dashing feet. They set off on an adventure like a countdown to takeoff, sending out a signal to find someone far away and calling on each other to stand up together. Fear gets blown away and they keep running at supersonic speed, even out of breath, in a bright, playful and determined mood.
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.
네가 있는 곳으로 (와다다다)Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): ni·ga in·neun go·seu·ro (wa·da·da·da)
Meaning: To where you are (wa-da-da-da)
Words in this line- 네가ni·gayou
- 있는in·neunare at
- 곳으로go·seu·roto the place
- (와다다다)(wa·da·da·da)pitter-patter
Word for word: You are-at place to (wa-da-da-da)
Why it doesn't translate word for word: Korean says 네가 있는 곳 as 'you-being place', which English renders as 'where you are'. 곳으로 is 'to the place', but the meaning is 'to you'. 와다다다 is an onomatopoeia for rapid running feet, which English renders as pattering.
와다다, 와다다, 달려 (right now)Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): wa·da·da, wa·da·da, dal·lyeo ra·it na·u
Meaning: Wa-da-da, wa-da-da, I run, right now
Words in this line- 와다다,wa·da·da,pitter-patter
- 와다다,wa·da·da,pitter-patter
- 달려dal·lyeorun
Word for word: Wa-da-da, wa-da-da, run (right now)
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 와다다 is an onomatopoeia for quick pattering steps with no dictionary meaning, so the literal version only repeats the sounds. 달려 in casual form can mean 'I run' or 'run' depending on context. 'Right now' adds urgency, and together the line sounds like an eager rush.
좀 더 바짝 세워, radar, radarListen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): jom deo ba·jjak se·wo, radar, radar
Meaning: Sharpen your radar a bit more, radar, radar
Words in this line- 좀joma little
- 더deomore
- 바짝ba·jjaktightly
- 세워,se·wo,raise
Word for word: A little more tightly stand it up, radar, radar
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 바짝 alone means 'tightly, closely' and 세워 comes from 세우다 'to stand something up'. Together they paint the image of pricked ears or a raised antenna, 'sharpen your senses'. Radar is the thing being raised, which is why the natural version names an object.
맘이 쿵쿵쿵 뛰어 미친 듯이Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): ma·mi kung·kung·kung ttwi·eo mi·chin deu·si
Meaning: My heart is pounding like crazy
Words in this line- 맘이ma·miheart
- 쿵쿵쿵kung·kung·kungthump thump
- 뛰어ttwi·eobeats
- 미친mi·chincrazy
- 듯이deu·sias if
Word for word: Heart-mind thump-thump-thump jumps-runs, as if a gone-mad one.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 맘 is short for 마음, 'heart, mind, feelings', not the physical organ. The verb 뛰다 alone means 'run' or 'jump', but said of a heart it means 'to beat'. 미친 on its own is 'gone mad' and 듯이 is 'as if'; together they form the everyday intensifier 'like crazy', meaning very strongly.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “WA DA DA” — Kep1er. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 가까이 | ga·kka·i | nearby |
| 갈수록 | gal·ssu·rok | the further |
| 거야 | geo·ya | going to |
| 고르고 | go·reu·go | evening out |
| 그려왔던 | geu·ryeo·wat·tteon | that I've pictured |
| 꿈꿔온 | kkum·kkwo·on | dreamed of |
| 꿈들이 | kkum·deu·ri | dreams |
| 꿈을 | kku·meul | dream |
| 날려 | nal·lyeo | blow away |
| 내디뎌 | nae·di·dyeo | stepping out |
| 너에게로 | neo·e·ge·ro | toward you |
| 너와 | neo·wa | you and |
| 누구보다 | nu·gu·bo·da | than anyone |
| 눈치챌 | nun·chi·chael | will notice |
| 느껴지는 | neu·kkyeo·ji·neun | being felt |
| 달려갈 | dal·lyeo·gal | will run to |
| 모험 | mo·heom | adventure |
| 빨리 | ppal·li | fast |
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Questions about “WA DA DA”
What is “WA DA DA” by Kep1er about?
Kep1er’s “WA DA DA” is about racing toward a dream with a pounding heart, its title echoing the sound of dashing feet.
What does “네가 있는 곳으로 (와다다다)” mean in “WA DA DA”?
To where you are (wa-da-da-da). Korean says 네가 있는 곳 as 'you-being place', which English renders as 'where you are'.
What does “와다다, 와다다, 달려 (right now)” mean in “WA DA DA”?
Wa-da-da, wa-da-da, I run, right now. 와다다 is an onomatopoeia for quick pattering steps with no dictionary meaning, so the literal version only repeats the sounds.
How do you pronounce “좀 더 바짝 세워, radar, radar”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “jom deo ba·jjak se·wo, radar, radar”: that's how it's actually sung by Kep1er, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “WA DA DA” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Haein goes through all 52 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
- Kep1er
- Official video
- Kep1er · 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.