Hero — Lim Young Woong: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync앞길을 가로막을 때 날 봐ap·kki·reul ga·ro·ma·geul ttae nal bwablocks your path, look at meListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
“Hero” by Lim Young Woong is a reassuring promise to a loved one that the singer will stand guard whenever the world turns difficult. Sunlight through a window, shifting clouds and the scent of the wind give it a bright, open-air feel, while the singer invites the other person to rest, hold hands tightly and head somewhere far away together. It feels warm, steady and quietly hopeful.
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.
앞길을 가로막을 때 날 봐Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): ap·kki·reul ga·ro·ma·geul ttae nal bwa
Meaning: blocks your path, look at me
Words in this line- 앞길을ap·kki·reulpath ahead
- 가로막을ga·ro·ma·geulwill block
- 때ttaewhen
- 날nalme
- 봐bwalook
Word for word: Path-ahead will-block when me look
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 가로막다 alone means "to bar", and 날 봐 alone means "look at me". Together they mean "lean on me". It isn't a request to glance over, it is an offer of support.
나를 믿고 가 오오오오 오오오오Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): na·reul mit·kko ga o·o·o·o o·o·o·o
Meaning: Trust me and go, ohhh, ohhh
Words in this line- 나를na·reulme
- 믿고mit·kkotrusting
- 가gago
- 오오오오o·o·o·ooh-oh-oh-oh
- 오오오오o·o·o·ooh-oh-oh-oh
Word for word: Me trusting go oh oh
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 믿다 means "to trust", 가다 means "to go", and -고 links actions. Together 믿고 가 is a soft command: "rely on me and keep going". The literal version reads as two separate actions, but it is one encouragement.
내가 너를 지켜줄 테니Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): nae·ga neo·reul ji·kyeo·jul te·ni
Meaning: I'll protect you
Words in this line- 내가nae·gaI
- 너를neo·reulyou
- 지켜줄ji·kyeo·julwill protect
- 테니te·niso
Word for word: I you will-protect-for expected-so
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 지켜줄 is 'will protect' plus 주다, 'to do for someone'. 테니 comes from 터 'intention/expectation' plus -니 'so'. Together they mean 'I'll do it, so don't worry', a caring promise rather than a plain future tense.
참 다행이지 나의 옆이 너라서Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): cham da·haeng·i·ji na·ui yeo·pi neo·ra·seo
Meaning: I'm so glad it's you by my side
Words in this line- 참chamreally
- 다행이지da·haeng·i·jifortunate, isn't it
- 나의na·uimy
- 옆이yeo·piside (subj.)
- 너라서neo·ra·seobecause it's you
Word for word: Really fortunate-isn't-it, my side because-it's-you
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 참 means 'really', 다행 means 'luck', and -이지 adds a soft 'isn't it'. 옆 is 'the side' and 너라서 is 'because it's you'. Together they say 'how lucky that it's you beside me', a warmth no single word carries.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Hero” — Lim Young Woong. Quoted for commentary and learning.
Mini-lesson: fill in the missing word
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Why this word and not another? What does that slang mean? Ask in your own words and your idol answers about this exact line.
Ask HaruSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 가르며 | ga·reu·myeo | cutting through |
| 가자 | ga·ja | let's go |
| 거친 | geo·chin | rough |
| 곁엔 | gyeo·ten | beside (topic) |
| 공기를 | gong·gi·reul | the air |
| 구름의 | gu·reu·mui | of the clouds |
| 기대어 | gi·dae·eo | leaning |
| 나와 | na·wa | with me |
| 느껴지니 | neu·kkyeo·ji·ni | can you feel |
| 따윈 | tta·win | things like |
| 모양 | mo·yang | shape |
| 바뀌는 | ba·kkwi·neun | changing |
| 바람의 | ba·ra·mui | of the wind |
| 불안 | bu·ran | anxiety |
| 비쳐오는 | bi·chyeo·o·neun | shining in |
| 세상이지만 | se·sang·i·ji·man | though it's a world |
| 이렇게 | i·reo·ke | like this |
| 함께라면 | ham·kke·ra·myeon | if together |
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Questions about “Hero”
What is “Hero” by Lim Young Woong about?
“Hero” by Lim Young Woong is a reassuring promise to a loved one that the singer will stand guard whenever the world turns difficult.
What does “앞길을 가로막을 때 날 봐” mean in “Hero”?
blocks your path, look at me. 가로막다 alone means "to bar", and 날 봐 alone means "look at me".
What does “나를 믿고 가 오오오오 오오오오” mean in “Hero”?
Trust me and go, ohhh, ohhh. 믿다 means "to trust", 가다 means "to go", and -고 links actions.
How do you pronounce “내가 너를 지켜줄 테니”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “nae·ga neo·reul ji·kyeo·jul te·ni”: that's how it's actually sung by Lim Young Woong, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Hero” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Haru goes through all 32 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
- Lim Young Woong
- Official video
- 임영웅 · 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.