UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers) — LE SSERAFIM: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync바란 적도 없어 용서 따위는ba·ran jeok·tto eop·sseo yong·seo tta·wi·neunI never asked for forgivenessListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
LE SSERAFIM's “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)” is about a group that embraces being cast as outsiders and walks its own path without seeking pardon. They treat old rules and uncomfortable stares as things to burn through, recalling past losses and bleeding before turning defiant. They invite listeners of every kind to cross a line with them and leave their name beyond the limit, loud and unapologetic.
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.
바란 적도 없어 용서 따위는Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): ba·ran jeok·tto eop·sseo yong·seo tta·wi·neun
Meaning: I never asked for forgiveness
Words in this line- 바란ba·ranasked
- 적도jeok·ttoeven
- 없어eop·sseono
- 용서yong·seoforgiveness
- 따위는tta·wi·neunsuch
Word for word: Asked even not was forgiveness such.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 'Baran jeokdo eopseo' literally means 'didn't even ask,' but it's a negation with emphasis. The lyricist not only doesn't ask for forgiveness but rejects the very idea of needing it. This is a final assertion of independence.
또 한국말론 아주 철없이Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): tto han·gung·mal·lon a·ju cheo·reop·ssi
Meaning: In Korean it's called very "reckless".
Words in this line- 또ttoalso
- 한국말론han·gung·mal·lonin Korean
- 아주a·juvery
- 철없이cheo·reop·ssirecklessly
Word for word: Also Korean-language-in very "without-iron".
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The verse consists of a single phrase that explains the previous verse. The singer directly points to the Korean idiom "철없이," which literally means "without iron" (without backbone, without firmness) but is used to describe thoughtless behavior. It's both self-irony and a challenge to social norms.
힘없이 늘 져야만 했던 싸움Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): hi·meop·ssi neul jyeo·ya·man haet·tteon ssa·um
Meaning: I always lost fights powerlessly, but I ride on
Words in this line- 힘없이hi·meop·ssipowerlessly, helplessly
- 늘neulalways, constantly
- 져야만jyeo·ya·manhad to lose
- 했던haet·tteondid (in the past)
- 싸움ssa·umfight, battle
Word for word: Powerlessly always lost in fights I had to lose, but I ride
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 힘없이 (powerlessly) + 져야만 했던 (had to) = not just lost but was forced to lose without choice; but I ride = contrast between past defeat and present forward motion
나랑 선 넘어 같이 가자Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): na·rang seon neo·meo ga·chi ga·ja
Meaning: Cross the line with me, let's go together
Words in this line- 나랑na·rangwith me
- 선seonline, boundary
- 넘어neo·meobeyond, across
- 같이ga·chitogether
- 가자ga·jalet's go
Word for word: With-me line cross, together let's-go
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 선 넘다 literally 'to cross a line' — the Korean idiom for overstepping a limit or breaking a rule. 나랑 ('with me') and 같이 가자 ('let's go together') turn it into an invitation: break the rules together.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)” — LE SSERAFIM. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Ask AriSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 개임에 | gae·i·me | game |
| 거듭해 | geo·deu·pae | repeatedly |
| 거야 | geo·ya | will |
| 걸어 | geo·reo | walk |
| 겨눠 | gyeo·nwo | aim |
| 골칫거리 | gol·chit·kkeo·ri | headache |
| 금기를 | geum·gi·reul | taboo |
| 기억될 | gi·eok·ttoel | will be remembered |
| 길을 | gi·reul | path |
| 깃든 | git·tteun | filled with |
| 나다움 | na·da·um | myself |
| 낡은 | nal·geun | old |
| 남겨지는 | nam·gyeo·ji·neun | is left |
| 너머 | neo·meo | beyond |
| 시대로 | si·dae·ro | era |
| 위로 | wi·ro | above |
| 이름 | i·reum | name |
| 한계 | han·gye | limit |
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Questions about “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)”
What is “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)” by LE SSERAFIM about?
LE SSERAFIM's “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)” is about a group that embraces being cast as outsiders and walks its own path without seeking pardon.
What does “바란 적도 없어 용서 따위는” mean in “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)”?
I never asked for forgiveness. 'Baran jeokdo eopseo' literally means 'didn't even ask,' but it's a negation with emphasis.
What does “또 한국말론 아주 철없이” mean in “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)”?
In Korean it's called very "reckless". The verse consists of a single phrase that explains the previous verse.
How do you pronounce “힘없이 늘 져야만 했던 싸움”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “hi·meop·ssi neul jyeo·ya·man haet·tteon ssa·um”: that's how it's actually sung by LE SSERAFIM, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Ari goes through all 59 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official music video
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Credits and sources
- Artist
- LE SSERAFIM
- Official video
- HYBE LABELS · 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.