Sad Song
Heo Young Saeng
The Heartache of Unrequited Love in 'Sad Song' by Heo Young Saeng
Heo Young Saeng's 'Sad Song' delves deep into the emotional turmoil of unrequited love and the loneliness that accompanies it. The song opens with the imagery of a dark and lonely night, setting the stage for the singer's introspective journey. He finds himself constantly thinking of someone, a love that is so intense yet seemingly unattainable. The repeated mention of 'sarang' (love) emphasizes the depth of his feelings, while the struggle to even look at the object of his affection highlights the pain of unreciprocated emotions.
The chorus questions why sad songs resonate so deeply during moments of heartache. The singer's wounded heart feels even more pain as he listens to these melancholic tunes, yet he can't help but be drawn to them. This paradox of seeking out what hurts us the most is a common human experience, especially in matters of the heart. The lyrics convey a sense of helplessness as the singer admits he doesn't understand why his heart keeps gravitating towards these sorrowful melodies, despite the pain they cause.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on his past naivety, believing that love would be easy. He realizes that he is the 'motnan saram' (unworthy person) who couldn't recognize the love right beside him. The imagery of looking at the stars in the night sky and the tears that flow like falling stars symbolizes his longing and the love he still holds for the person who remains out of reach. The song concludes with the singer acknowledging his pain and the inexplicable pull of sad songs, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of unrequited love and the solace found in shared sorrow.