Hero's Soup

Stray Kids' song 'Hero's Soup' delves into the complex relationship between a father and son, using the metaphor of a traditional Korean dish, haejangguk, to explore themes of understanding, empathy, and familial bonds. The song begins with the son expressing his curiosity about his father's daily routine of eating haejangguk, a spicy and hearty soup often consumed to alleviate hangovers. The son finds the soup unappealing and struggles to comprehend why his father enjoys it so much, especially given his father's seemingly picky eating habits.

As the song progresses, the son reflects on his father's life and the burdens he carries, symbolized by the soup. The father's sighs after drinking the soup represent his struggles and the weight of his responsibilities. The son begins to realize that the soup is more than just a meal; it is a source of comfort and a way for his father to cope with his daily challenges. This realization leads the son to a deeper understanding of his father's experiences and the sacrifices he has made for the family.

The song's chorus emphasizes the son's desire to fully grasp the meaning behind his father's routine and the comfort it brings him. The repeated lines, 'I don’t know your haejangguk' and 'If it could melt even the cold sighs,' highlight the son's yearning to connect with his father on a deeper level. By the end of the song, the son acknowledges that he is his father's son and expresses hope that he will eventually understand the true significance of the haejangguk and the comfort it provides. 'Hero's Soup' is a poignant reflection on the generational gap and the journey towards empathy and understanding within a family.