To Me

Yanagida Kumiko's song 'To Me' is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics, sung in Korean, delve into the emotional landscape of a person who is coming to terms with a significant separation. The song opens with the imagery of turning away without tears, suggesting a stoic acceptance of the inevitable. The line 'tan hanbeondo naegen poeejee anattdeushee' (as if you never appeared to me) underscores the sense of finality and the emotional distance that has grown between the two individuals.

The recurring motif of warmth felt at the fingertips ('sonkkeut'e neukkyeojeeneun ddaddeut'an keudae han kee-eogee') juxtaposed with the coldness creeping into the heart ('cheoncheonhee chagaweojeen na-e mamgwa hamkke') highlights the bittersweet nature of the memories. These lines convey the lingering warmth of past moments even as the speaker's heart grows colder with the realization of the end. The song's chorus, which speaks of taking a last breath and looking back, encapsulates the finality of the farewell and the hope for a moment of happiness despite the pain.

The repetition of the plea to 'look back at me' ('tweedora nareul pwa') and the desire to never forget ('hanbeondo eetjee ank'o') reflect a deep yearning for acknowledgment and remembrance. This longing is coupled with the wish for happiness ('keedareen naege keeppeumeul jweo'), suggesting that the speaker seeks solace in the hope that their presence brought joy, even if fleeting. Yanagida Kumiko's emotive delivery and the melancholic melody enhance the song's themes, making 'To Me' a touching ode to the complexities of love and the sorrow of parting.