Have you ever felt like spring should be a time of hope and renewal, but instead found yourself overwhelmed by life’s chaos? Korean indie rock band Se So Neon (새소년) captures this exact feeling in their emotionally powerful song “Nan Chun” (난춘). The title itself is a beautiful example of how Korean uses Sino-Korean vocabulary to create layered meanings—combining 亂 (chaos/disorder) with 春 (spring) to describe a “turbulent spring.”
This song is perfect for advanced Korean learners who want to explore poetic and metaphorical language. The lyrics move beyond everyday conversation into deeply expressive territory, using nature imagery to convey complex emotions about love, loss, and perseverance. You’ll encounter beautiful Sino-Korean compounds, intimate speech levels, and the kind of lyrical compression that makes Korean poetry so powerful.
Se So Neon debuted in 2017 and quickly became one of the most respected names in Korean indie rock. Led by vocalist Hwang So-yoon’s distinctive voice, the band blends modern rock, blues, and psychedelic elements into something uniquely their own. “Nan Chun” was nominated for Best Modern Rock Song at the 2021 Korean Music Awards, and the band has even completed a North American tour—proof that great music transcends language barriers.
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Lyrics Preview
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 오 그대여 부서지지 마 | o geu-dae-yeo bu-seo-ji-ji ma | Oh my dear, don’t break apart |
| 이리 와 나를 꼭 안자 | i-ri wa na-reul kkok an-ja | Come here and hold me tight |
| 오늘을 살아내고 우리 내일로 가자 | o-neu-reul sa-ra-nae-go u-ri nae-il-lo ga-ja | Let’s survive today and go to tomorrow together |
Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!
Key Expressions
Here are the must-know expressions from this song!
난춘 (亂春) nan-chun
A Sino-Korean compound meaning “turbulent spring” or “chaotic spring.” This word combines 亂 (란/난, chaos) and 春 (춘, spring). It’s not a common everyday word but rather a poetic creation that captures the paradox of experiencing inner turmoil during what should be a hopeful season.
인생에도 난춘 같은 시기가 있다.
There are times in life that feel like a turbulent spring.
귀 기울이다 gwi gi-u-ri-da
To listen carefully, to pay attention, to lend an ear. This expression literally means “to tilt one’s ear” toward something, suggesting focused, intentional listening.
그녀의 이야기에 귀 기울여 주세요.
Please listen carefully to her story.
부서지다 bu-seo-ji-da
To break, to shatter, to fall apart. Often used metaphorically to describe emotional or psychological breaking, not just physical objects.
힘든 일이 있어도 부서지지 않을 거야.
Even when things are hard, I won’t fall apart.
살아내다 sa-ra-nae-da
To survive, to live through, to endure. The verb 살다 (to live) combined with -내다 (to accomplish/complete something difficult) creates a powerful meaning of actively surviving hardship rather than just existing.
우리는 그 어려운 시간을 함께 살아냈다.
We survived that difficult time together.
영롱하다 yeong-rong-ha-da
Clear and bright, lustrous, sparkling. A literary/poetic adjective often used to describe moonlight, dewdrops, or precious stones. You’ll encounter this more in poetry and songs than in casual conversation.
영롱한 이슬이 풀잎 위에 맺혔다.
Sparkling dew formed on the grass blades.
Grammar Points
-지 마 (Negative Command: Don’t do something)
This grammar pattern is used to tell someone not to do something. It attaches to the verb stem and is commonly used in informal speech. In the song, it appears as an emotional plea: “부서지지 마” (don’t break apart). The repetition of -지 with 부서지다 creates the pattern 부서지(다) + -지 마.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 걱정하지 마. | geok-jeong-ha-ji ma | Don’t worry. |
| 포기하지 마. | po-gi-ha-ji ma | Don’t give up. |
| 나를 떠나지 마. | na-reul tteo-na-ji ma | Don’t leave me. |
-자 (Casual Suggestion: Let’s do something)
This ending transforms a verb into a casual suggestion or invitation, equivalent to “let’s” in English. It’s used between close friends or in informal situations. In the song, “가자” (let’s go) and “안자” (let’s hold/hug) carry emotional weight as invitations to face life together.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 같이 가자. | ga-chi ga-ja | Let’s go together. |
| 오늘은 쉬자. | o-neu-reun swi-ja | Let’s rest today. |
| 다시 시작하자. | da-si si-jak-ha-ja | Let’s start again. |
Culture Note
The concept of “난춘” reflects a distinctly Korean way of expressing complex emotions through Sino-Korean vocabulary. While pure Korean words (고유어) often feel warm and familiar, Sino-Korean compounds (한자어) can carry literary weight and multiple layers of meaning. Korean poets and songwriters frequently create new Sino-Korean expressions to capture emotions that don’t have simple names. This song demonstrates how spring (봄) in Korean culture isn’t always about simple happiness—it can also represent vulnerability, change, and the bittersweet nature of new beginnings.
Fun fact! “Nan Chun” was first performed on the Korean TV music competition show “Hyena on the Keyboard” in 2018, but wasn’t officially released as a single until 2020. Hwang So-yoon has shared that the song originated from imagining how she would feel watching someone she loves slowly fade away—a powerful example of how Korean artists often explore heavy themes through beautiful, cathartic music.