Gather My Tears (내 눈물 모아)

Seo Ji-won's 'Gather My Tears' (내 눈물 모아) is a heart-wrenching ballad that delves into the depths of unrequited love and longing. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is grappling with the pain of a lost love, yet holds onto the hope that their love might be rekindled. As the lights go out one by one, the narrator writes a letter to the sky, a metaphor for an unreachable or absent lover, expressing an inability to forget them and a wish to gather their tears as a testament to their enduring love.

The recurring theme of the song is the narrator's unwavering commitment to their love, even if it is not reciprocated. The lyrics suggest a readiness to diminish one's own pride or stature ('lowering one's height') to be by the loved one's side if they ever seek them out. This selfless declaration of love highlights the depth of the narrator's feelings, which remain strong despite being forgotten. The act of writing a letter with tears to the sky is a poetic expression of the hope that their message of love will somehow reach the departed lover and bring them back.

Seo Ji-won, a South Korean singer-songwriter, was known for his emotive vocal delivery and poignant lyrics. 'Gather My Tears' is a testament to his ability to connect with listeners through relatable themes of love and loss. The song's melancholic melody and Seo Ji-won's heartfelt performance resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of loving someone from afar. The song's enduring popularity is a reflection of its universal message and the timeless nature of its emotional appeal.