JISOO 'FLOWER' Lyric Interpretation | Korean Songs to Listen to in April

For the 17th installment of this year-long series, I chose JISOO's 'FLOWER'.

Despite its glamorous title, the song 'FLOWER' depicts the end of a romance. However, rather than wallowing in sadness, it shows a person moving forward in their own way, just like a flower blooming anew in spring.

I will explore the meaning behind the lyrics of this song, 'FLOWER,' which is perfect for April.

What kind of song is JISOO's 'FLOWER'?

A major characteristic of JISOO's 'FLOWER' is that while it is a minimalist, dance-oriented track, it carries an exotic atmosphere. The simple track with sparse instrumentation is impressive; it doesn't rely on flashy arrangements, but instead creates a unique addictiveness through its repetitive beat and use of space.

▼JISOO 'FLOWER' AMAZON MUSIC

Interpreting the lyrics

Verse A

・A-B-C → The basics of English
・Do-Re-Mi → The basics of music
Back then, I was simple, obedient, more honest, and a 'good girl'.

Your gaze has completely changed, hasn't it?
Even so, 'this is who I am too'

Refrain

I fly away like a blue butterfly. No longer bound, I move freely and lightly by my own will.

Everything I couldn't grasp is all yours. I'm not taking anything with me. The time when we bloomed with excitement is all in the past. My feelings for you have become like a lie.

Chorus

You and I, burned out red.

I'm fine. But what about you? The lingering concern I feel actually makes me feel the distance between us.

A beautiful day without a single cloud. My heart is calm, in a way that doesn't suit an ending. It's truly clear and bright.

The lingering echoes of the time we spent together, the memories that pop up, and the feelings that haven't completely faded—they remain, perhaps just like the scent of a flower.

Verse A

You and I loved each other madly and passionately. Now, it has been cruelly trampled upon.

The only lilac I cherished. What I innocently believed in has been destroyed.

Verse B

I fly away like white petals. It was you who was the unreachable existence.

Carried by the gentle breeze, I just drift along without resisting.

Spring had arrived, yet we said goodbye.

Chorus

You and I, burned out red.

I am fine. But what about you? The lingering concern I feel actually makes me feel the distance.

A beautiful day without a single cloud. My heart is calm, perhaps too calm for an ending. It is truly clear.

The lingering echoes of the time we spent together, memories that come to mind, and feelings that haven't completely faded—they still remain, at least like the scent of a flower.

Bridge

I cried a lot and was hurt. Goodbye now, good bye. I will not look back.

I had regrets, about as much as a single leaf, but even that was washed away by the spring rain, and I moved on from you.

Outro

The lingering echoes of the time we spent together, memories that come to mind, and feelings that haven't completely faded—they remain faintly, like the scent of a flower. But it is a faint lingering scent that will soon disappear.

Korean words and expressions learned from this song

Symbolic phrases

She sings with a tone that feels slightly detached from her own story, as if reading a fairy tale aloud to someone. This 'lack of attachment' in telling it like a single story highlights the aesthetic.

Beginner Vocabulary

• 착하다: kind, good-natured

• 변하다: to change, to transform

• 나비: butterfly

• 뒤: back, behind, rear

• 봄비: spring rain

• 떨어지다: to fall, to be out of stock, to run out, to drop, to be issued (as in an order or judgment), to hang down

• 남기다: to leave behind

Intermediate Vocabulary

• 눈빛: look in one's eyes, gaze, glance

• 싹: completely, entirely, clean (as in 'wiped clean')

• 어쩌면: perhaps, maybe, by any chance, how (in some contexts), in a sense

• 또한: also, in addition, furthermore

• 활짝: wide open, in full bloom, brightly

Advanced Vocabulary

• 몫: share, portion, role, duty, part

• 타버리다: to burn down, to burn up

• 처참하다: miserable, wretched, gruesome, cruel, tragic

• jitbalpda: to trample, to step on

• sallang-sallang: gently, softly, fluttering

• ikkeullida: to be drawn to, to be led, to be driven, to be taken along

• miryeon: lingering attachment, regret

• ipsae: leaf (an emotional term often used in poetry and lyrics)

Summary

The protagonist of these lyrics must have been deeply hurt. It depicts a cruel breakup that isn't just pretty words, to the point where even the traces of her innocent days have changed.

However, she accepts even that pain with grace, saying, 'This is also me,' and looks forward. The spring rain washes away her lingering attachments, and the breakup becomes a purification for a new season.

What is told over the calm melody is that one love has ended. While feeling a slightly cool temperature, I felt this song leaves behind a supple and straightforward will to bloom anew along with the arrival of spring.

▼JISOO 'FLOWER' AMAZON MUSIC

*Please feel free to leave comments with your thoughts or feedback. Let's dig deeper into Korean lyrics together☆