“Bogoshipda…”
Even if you aren’t an ARMY, you’ve probably heard this hauntingly beautiful melody. “Spring Day” (Bomnal) by BTS is often called the “Queen” of K-Pop songs because it never leaves the music charts in Korea.
It is a song about longing, friendship, and waiting for winter to pass.
For language learners, “Spring Day” is perfect because the pronunciation is soft, clear, and full of essential daily vocabulary.
Official Video: BTS – Spring Day
How to Read Our Korean Phonetics
Korean (Hangul) sounds are different from English.
- “Eu” sounds like the ‘u’ in “Put” (but with a flat mouth).
- “Eo” sounds like the ‘o’ in “Song”.
- “Ae” sounds like the ‘a’ in “Cat”.
- Bold text is where you stress the beat.
Spring Day: Phonetic Lyrics Breakdown
Verse 1: RM (Missing You)
| Korean (Hangul) | Easy Phonetic Lyrics | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 보고 싶다 | Bo-go ship-da | I miss you |
| 이렇게 말하니까 더 보고 싶다 | Ee-roh-keh mal-ha-nee-kah doh bo-go ship-da | Saying it like this makes me miss you more |
| 너희 사진을 보고 있어도 | Noh-hee sa-jin-eul bo-go eet-so-doh | Even while looking at your photo |
| 보고 싶다 | Bo-go ship-da | I miss you |
| 너무 야속한 시간 | No-moo ya-sok-han she-gan | Time is so cruel |
| 나는 우리가 밉다 | Na-neun oo-ree-gah meeb-da | I hate us (for being apart) |
Verse 2: V & Jin (Winter & Snow)
| Korean (Hangul) | Easy Phonetic Lyrics | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 여기는 온통 겨울 뿐이야 | Yoh-gee-neun on-tong gyo-ool poon-ee-ya | It’s only winter here |
| 8월에도 겨울이 와 | Pal-wor-eh-doh gyo-oo-ree wah | Even in August, winter comes |
| 마음은 시간을 달려가네 | Ma-eum-eun she-gan-eul dal-ryo-ga-neh | My heart is running through time |
| 홀로 남은 설국열차 | Hol-loh nam-eun sol-gook-yol-cha | The Snowpiercer left alone |
Chorus: The Promise (Jimin & Jungkook)
| Korean (Hangul) | Easy Phonetic Lyrics | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 눈꽃이 떨어져요 | Noon-koh-chee ddo-roh-jyo-yoh | Snowflakes are falling |
| 또 조금씩 멀어져요 | Doh jo-geum-shik moh-roh-jyo-yoh | Getting farther away little by little |
| 보고 싶다 (보고 싶다) | Bo-go ship-da (Bo-go ship-da) | I miss you (I miss you) |
| 보고 싶다 (보고 싶다) | Bo-go ship-da (Bo-go ship-da) | I miss you (I miss you) |
| 얼마나 기다려야 | Ol-ma-nah gee-da-ryo-ya | How much more do I have to wait? |
| 또 몇 밤을 더 새워야 | Doh myot bam-eul doh seh-wo-ya | How many more nights do I have to stay up? |
| 널 보게 될까 | Nol bo-geh dwel-kah | Until I can see you? |
| 널 보게 될까 | Nol bo-geh dwel-kah | Until I can see you? |
| 만나게 될까 | Man-na-geh dwel-kah | Until I can meet you? |
| 만나게 될까 | Man-na-geh dwel-kah | Until I can meet you? |
Vocabulary Corner: Emotional Words
This song is a dictionary of emotions. Here are 4 key words:
1. Bogoshipda (보고 싶다)
- Meaning: I miss you / I want to see you.
- Grammar: Bogo (to see) + Shipda (want to).
- Usage: You will hear this in almost every K-Drama. It’s the most common way to say “I miss you”.
2. Gyeo-ul (겨울)
- Meaning: Winter.
- Context: “Yeogi-neun ontong gyeoul ppuniya” (It’s all winter here).
- Metaphor: Winter represents sadness and separation. Spring (Bom) represents reunion.
3. Nun (눈)
- Meaning: Snow (or Eye).
- Context: “Nun-kkot” means “Snow Flower” (Snowflake).
- Fun Fact: In Korean, the word for “Snow” and “Eye” is the same (Nun). You tell them apart by context (or vowel length in older pronunciation).
4. Chingu (친구)
- Meaning: Friend.
- Context: Although not explicitly in the lyrics above, the song is dedicated to a missing friend.
Singing Tips: The Falsetto
Jimin’s high note in the chorus (“Nun-kkot-chi ddo-roh-jyo-yoh”) is iconic.
- Technique: Don’t push your chest voice. Switch to a soft head voice (falsetto). It should sound light and airy, like a snowflake falling.
- Emotion: This isn’t a power ballad. Sing it with a “breathless” quality, as if you are whispering a secret to the wind.
Conclusion
“Spring Day” is more than a song; it’s a healing anthem. By learning these lyrics, you learn how to express longing in Korean.
Now that you’ve mastered a slow ballad, are you ready for something a bit more rhythmic?
Check out Love Scenario by iKON which is famous for being easy for kindergarteners to sing!
Or if you want to explore Japanese songs, try the classic Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou).