Sunday, July 10, 2011

Nell (넬) - Fisheye Lens & Moonlight Punch Romance [lyric, romanization, translation]


It has been more than a half of year now, since the first time I heard a song from Nell (넬).  Since then, I and my sister have been fan-girling over Nell. Fan-girling here means we replay Nell songs over and over again in our playlist. Oh yeah we are niiiiiice fan-girls just like that ^^. There was a long journey by the sea in our vacation time on which we had nothing to do but listen to Nell & BigBang song compilation. Like poison and its anti dote that what Nell and Big Bang song are. Seriously, Nell is good in making sorrowful & gloomy song. Ones that are I don’t feel like to listen to it while I’m in my happy state. No matter how much I like Nell.

Nell formed in 1999. They have released: Reflection of Nell on January 2001, Speechless on September 2001, Let It Rain on 2003, Walk through Me on 2004, Healing Process on 2006, Let’s Take a Walk on 2007, Separation Anxiety on March 2008, 멀어지다 on June 2008 (well all the song in this album are same with ones in Separation Anxiety album plus one song  1분만 닥쳐줄래요), The Trace on November 2008 (this is a mini album). They are one of must know band for anyone who want to say ‘I’ve been following K indie music’. Let me put it like this, they are like My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Coffee Prince 1st Coffee Shop, and ‘four season’ drama for K drama addict, like BigBang, Super Junior, and DBSK for K pop fan, or like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Lady Gaga for anyone who say they ‘know’ American pop music (ok, maybe I’m exaggerating :D). Nell has succeeded marketablely and musically. Their songs had good positions in various music charts (Mnet, Bugs, Melon, Gaon). And they also won several music awards (Korean Music award, Golden Disk Award). They are something that can not be called ‘underated’ in K indie land or K music world.


I have listened to Healing Process, Let’s Take a Walk, Separation Anxiety, some songs from The Trace and Walk through Me. Their music is dark. They bring sorrow, loneliness & desperation alive. You just can sense it in the melody. And understanding the lyrics means adding some more darkness in their music. Their song lyrics are deep and meaningful (and sad). Nell is perfect for people who require a good lyric is a must for a good song. And that means big lost for anyone who don’t understand Korean pretty well (High five! J ). They go lighter in Separation Anxiety album. When I say lighter, it doesn’t mean it isn’t dark (so grey then? :( ). But it offers more up-beat tempo and “popish” songs. Maybe because my taste of music is inclined to pop, no wonder Separation Anxiety album becomes my favorite Nell’s album. I can’t stand listening Nell’s old albums when I’m happy or when I’m alone and on the verge of depression. And gosh you should read YesAsia description about this album:
Selected by netizens as their #1 favorite rock band at the 5th Korean Music Awards, Nell returns with their fourth release, Separation Anxiety, offering a little lesson in psychology. Tickets for their April concert commemorating the soon-to-be released new album were sold out in 10 minutes, proving once again the deep affection and faith fans have in the band's music. Prescribing remedies for those in an emotionally fragile state of mind, Separation Anxiety explores the many facets of emotions associated with depression, sorrow, and fear, which normally surface after a painful detachment from someone you love. Complete with complex yet beautiful harmonies of electronic rock and orchestral sounds, Separation Anxiety showcases the quartet's multi-dimensional talents as well as their growth and maturity as musicians since their debut in 1999.
Touche, it gives me some chill and got me thinking: What is the person who wrote this description going to say about Nell's previous albums.

And some Nell fans were gusting when they found out Separation Anxiety album tends to go more pop. Or when they switch their record label to one that called ‘major’ label, they are upset too.  And other people from k indie fans also had comment that Nell played safe by choosing sad ballad slow rock song for their title song. What’s wrong with going more pop and offering something that more appealing to the public? Is pop genre cheaper and less artistic? Where do you get that from? Major label means more promotion. With going more pop, they challenge them self with new music genre (honestly, I think Healing Process & Let’s Take a Walk album tend to be monotonic which is good in keeping the mood focus but it also can be read as boring). And they are at best in their sad ballad slow rock song. For everyone who says Nell is better when they sound more like Radiohead:  Uh oh to be more like their western counterpart doesn’t always mean better. Nell is better when they sound like Nell.              

My most favorite track from Separation Anxiety are track 3 기억을 걷는 시간 (it is sad T.T). And others are track 2 Moonlight Punch Romance and track 7 Fisheye Lens. These two songs are more up beat rock song, but the lyric are deep & meaningful and…. Sad.  I tried to translate the lyrics but please considerate something must be lost in translation. If I were one in Nell’s CD publisher company, I would give the English version of the lyrics that have been through Kim Jong-hwan’s approval inside CD package, it adds the value.


[lyric, romanization]

멀어지고 있었고 잊혀지고 있었어
Meorijigo isseotgo ijyeojigo isseosseo
You were fading away and be forgotten
뒤틀린 공기 뒤틀린 공간 모든게 낯설어서
Dwitheullin gongi dwitheullin gongan modeunge naseoreoseo
Distorted air, distorted room, everything becomes strange
마음이 어지럽고 가슴이 서 걱거려
Maeumi eojireopgo gaseumi seogeogeoryeo
My feeling is confused, my heart is squealing in pain
함께 있어도 혼자 있는 듯 많이도 쓸쓸했어
Hamkke isseodo honja ineun deut manido sseulsseulhaeseo
Even together I feel like alone, I was  really lonely 

So I fell in love.. oh alright fell in love
With the silence.. the silence of the night

뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
아련한 달빛의 노래
Aryeonhan dalbitche norae
A song of dim moonlight
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
서글퍼 울고 있는 내게
Seogeulpheo ulgo ineun naege
A lonely cry in me
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
작지만 큰 위로가 돼
Jakjiman kheun wiroga dwae
A small thing that becomes great comfort
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
그 날의 우리를 기억해
Geunare urireul kieokhae
Remember us that day

공기가 부드럽고 향기가 가득했던
Gongiga budeureopgo hyangiga gadeukhaetdeon
A gently wind and a scent filled the air
심장 속까지 헐벗은 나의 추위를 녹여주던
Simjang sokkaji heolbeoseun nae chuwireul nogyeojudeon
Ragged till deep inside my heart, my coldness melted away

Alright fell in love.. oh alright fell in love
With the silence.. the silence of the night

뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
아련한 달빛의 노래
Aryeonhan dalbitche norae
A song of dim moonlight
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
서글퍼 울고 있는 내게
Seogeulpheo ulgo ineun naege
A lonely cry in me
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
작지만 큰 위로가 돼
Jakjiman kheunwiroga dwae
A small thing that becomes great comfort
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu
그 날의 우리를 기억해
Geunare urireul kiokhae
Remember us that day

Please keep it quite
And let the silence stay
Please keep it quite
And let the silence stay
And let the silence stay

서글픈 현실을 끝내
Seogeulpheun hyeonsireul kkeutnae
End to sad reality 
버려진 나의 마음은 이제
Beoryeojin nae maumeun ije
Deserted my heart, now 

뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddub, ddu, ddu, ddu
더 이상 슬프지 않게
Deoisang seulpheuji anke
I'm sad no more already
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
그 날의 우리를 기억해
Geunare urireul kiokhae 
Remember us that day

뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
그 날의 우리를 기억해
Geunarae urireul kiokhae
Remember us that day

뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu
뚜뚜뚜뚜 뚭-뚜뚜 뚜 -
ddu, ddu, ddu, ddup, ddu, ddu, ddu



[lyric, romanization, translation]

자기의 가면 뒤에는
Jagie gamyeon dwieneun
Behind my own mask
짙은 그림자..짙은 그림자..
Jitheun geurimja.. jitheun geurimja..
Dark shadow.. Dark shadow..

슬픔의 잠긴 탄식은
Seupheume jamgin thansigeun
Lementation of immersed pain
날 위한 노래..날 위한 노래..
Nal wihan neorae.. nal wihan norae..
A song for me... A song for me..

모든 게 밝혀지는
Modeunge balkhyeojineun
Everything's revealed
오늘을 기억해둬
Oneureul kieokhaedwo
Just remember this day 

It's all breaking down
It's all breaking down
It's all breaking down

천사의 연못에 잠든
Cheonsae yeonmose jamdeun
Asleep in angel's pond
피묻은 영혼..피묻은 영혼..
Phimudeun yeonghon.. phimudeun yeonghon..
Bleeding soul.. Bleeding soul..

소돔과 고모라의 불꽃
Sodomgwa gomorae bulkkot
Sodom and Gomorrah's fireworks
영광의 축제..영광의 축제..
Yeonggwae chukje.. yeonggwae chukje..
Celebration of glory... Celebration of glory

모든게 사라지는
Modeunge sarajineun
Everything's disappeared
오늘을 기억해둬
Oneureul kieokhaedwo
Just remember this day

It's all breaking down
It's all breaking down

It's nobody's crown
You were meant to be my reality
But it's over now
You were meant to be my reality
But it's over now
It's over now
It's over now
It's over now

I like the synthesizer sound in this song and the metaphor :)  


Nell (넬) - 기억을 걷는 시간 Walking through The Time of Remembrance 
[lyric, romanization]

아직도 너의 소리를 듣고
Ajikdo neo-e sorireul deutgo
아직도 너의 손길을 느껴
Ajikdo neo-e songireul neukkyeo
오늘도 난 너의 흔적 안에 
Oneuldo nan neo-e heunjeok ane sarajyo
아직도 너의 모습이 보여
Ajikdo neo-e moseubi boyeo
아직도 너의 온기를 느껴
Ajikdo neo-e ongireulneukkyeo
오늘도 난 너의 시간 안에 살았죠
Oneuldo nan neo-e sigan ane sarajyo

길을 지나는 어떤 낯선 이의 모습 속에도~
Gireul jinaneun eotteon naseoni-e moseun sogedo
바람을 타고 쓸쓸히 춤추는 저 낙엽 위에~도
Barameul thago sseulsseuri chumchuneun jeo nagyeob wie do
뺨을 스치는 어느 저녁에 그 공기 속에~도
Ppyeomeul seuchineun eoneu jeonyeokge geu gongi soge do
내가 보고 듣고 느끼는 모든것에 니가 있어
Naega nogo deutgo neukkineun modeungeose niga isseo
~ 그~래
Geure

어떤가요 그댄
Eotteon gayo geudaen
어떤가요 그댄
Eotteon gayo geudaen
당신도 나와 같나~요
Dangsindo nawa gatnayo
어떤가요 그댄~
Eotteon gayo geudaen

지금도 난 너를 느끼죠
Jigeumdo nan neoreul neukkijyo
이렇게 노랠 부르는
Ireoke norael bureuneun
 지금 이 순간도 난~
Jigeum i sugando nan
그대가 보여
Geudaega boyeo

내일도 난 너를 보겠죠
Naeildo nan neoreul bogetjyo
내일도 난 너를 듣겠죠
Naeildo nan neoreul deutgetjyo
내일도 모든게 오늘 하루와 같겠죠
Naeildo modeunge oneul haruwa gatgetjyo

길을 지나는 어떤 낯선 이의 모습 속에도~
Gireul jinaneun eotteon naseoni-e moseub sogedo
바람을 타고 쓸쓸히 춤추는 저 낙엽 위에~도
Barameul thago sseulsseuri chumchuneun jeo nagyeo wie do
뺨을 스치는 어느 저녁에 그 공기 속에~도
Ppyameul seuchineun eoneu jeonyeoge geu gongi sogedo
내가 보고 듣고 느끼는 모든것에 니가 있어
Naega bogo deutgo neukkineun modeungeose niga isseo
~ 그~래
Geure

어떤가요 그댄
Eotteon gayo geudaen
어떤가요 그댄
Eotteon gayo geudaen
당신도 나와 같나~요
Dangsindo nawa gatnayo
어떤가요 그댄~
Eotteon gayo geudaen

길가에 덩그러니 놓여진 저 의자 위에도~
Gilga-e deong geureoni noyeojin jeo ija wiedo
물을 마시려 무심코 집어든 유리잔 안에~도
Mureul masiryeo musimkho jipeodeun yurijan ane do
나를 바라보기 위해 마주한 그 거울 속에~도
Nareul barambogi wihae majuhan geu geo-ul sogedo
귓가에 살며시 내려앉은 음악 속에도
Gwiga-e salmyeosi naeryeo anjeun eumak seogedo
니가~ 있어
Niga isseo

어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen
어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen
그대는 지웠을텐데
Geudaeneun jiwasseulthende
어떡하죠 이제 우린
Eotteokajyo ijen urin

(랄라라 라랄라랄라)
Lal, la, la, la, lal, la, lal, la
어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen
(랄라라 라랄라랄라)
Lal, la, la, la, lal, la, lal, la
어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen

그리움의 문을 열고
Geuriume muneul yeolgo
너의 기억이 날 찾아와
Neo-e kieogi nal chajawa
자꾸 눈시울이 붉어져
Jakku nunsi uri bulgeojyeo
어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen

그리움의 문을 열고
Geuriume muneul yeolgo
너의 기억이 날 찾아와
Neo-e kieogi nan chajawa
자꾸만 가슴이 미어져~
Jakkuman gaseumi mieojyeo
어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen

그리움의 문을 열고
Geuriume muneul yeolgo
너의 기억이 날 찾아와
Neo-e kieogi nal chajawa
자꾸 눈시울이 붉어져
Jakku nunsi uri bolgojyeo
어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen

그리움의 문을 열고
Geuriume muneul yeolgo
너의 기억이 날 찾아와
Neo-e kieogi nan chajawa
자꾸만 가슴이 미어져~
Jakkuman gaseumi mieojyeo
어떡하죠 이젠
Eotteokajyo ijen

(랄라라 라랄라랄라)
Lal, la, la, la, lal, la, lal, la

This song has a MV, but I prefer the video above because the English sub in it is good :)


Thanks to:
KimMinSong  for the video and nice translation
Neller9,  kisvip for the video
Daum for original lyrics
So sad Nell doesn't have an official Facebook page but they have wiki page (hah): thanks for the info
Soompi, Yesasia for the info

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