Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you just wanted to escape somewhere, anywhere, with someone you love? That’s exactly the feeling Sunwoo Jung-a captures in her beautiful ballad “도망가자” (Run With Me). This heartfelt song is like a warm hug in musical form, offering comfort to anyone going through a difficult time.
Sunwoo Jung-a is a remarkable artist who debuted in 2006 and has since become one of Korea’s most respected musicians. Her music blends jazz, pop, R&B, and electronica in uniquely creative ways. Beyond her solo work, she’s also produced hits for major K-pop artists like 2NE1 and Lee Hi. “도망가자” comes from her third album “Serenade” (2019) and was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Song at the Korean Music Awards.
This song is perfect for beginner Korean learners because it uses simple, everyday expressions of comfort and love. The lyrics are straightforward yet emotionally powerful, featuring common phrases you can actually use in real conversations. Plus, the slow ballad tempo makes it easy to follow along and practice your pronunciation!
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Lyrics Preview
Here’s a small taste of the song’s beautiful opening lines to get you started:
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 도망가자 | do-mang-ga-ja | Let’s run away |
| 괜찮아 | gwaen-cha-na | It’s okay |
| 우리 가자 | u-ri ga-ja | Let’s go (together) |
Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!
Key Expressions
Here are the must-know expressions from this song!
괜찮아 gwaen-cha-na
This is one of the most useful Korean phrases meaning “It’s okay” or “It’s alright.” It’s used to comfort someone or reassure them that everything will be fine.
A: 실수했어요. (I made a mistake.)
B: 괜찮아, 다시 해보자. (It’s okay, let’s try again.)
도망가다 do-mang-ga-da
This verb means “to run away” or “to escape.” It combines 도망 (escape/flight) with 가다 (to go). In the song, it’s used romantically to suggest escaping life’s pressures together.
스트레스 받을 때 여행 가고 싶어요.
When I’m stressed, I want to go traveling (escape).
손 내밀다 son nae-mil-da
This phrase means “to reach out one’s hand” or “to extend a hand.” It’s a beautiful expression of offering help or support to someone.
친구가 힘들 때 손 내밀어 주세요.
Please reach out to your friend when they’re having a hard time.
눈 맞추다 nun mat-chu-da
This means “to make eye contact.” It’s an intimate expression often used between people who are close to each other.
아이와 눈 맞추고 이야기해요.
Make eye contact with your child when you talk.
내가 안아줄게 nae-ga a-na-jul-ge
This warm phrase means “I’ll hug you” or “I’ll hold you.” It’s a beautiful way to offer physical and emotional comfort to someone you care about.
울지 마, 내가 안아줄게.
Don’t cry, I’ll give you a hug.
Grammar Points
-자 (The “Let’s” Ending)
The grammar pattern -자 is attached to verb stems to make suggestions or proposals, similar to “Let’s…” in English. It’s casual and used between friends, family, or people of similar age. This is one of the most important patterns in the song, appearing in the title itself: 도망가자 (Let’s run away)!
To form it, simply remove 다 from the verb’s dictionary form and add 자:
- 가다 (to go) → 가자 (let’s go)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹자 (let’s eat)
- 하다 (to do) → 하자 (let’s do it)
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 같이 밥 먹자 | ga-chi bap meok-ja | Let’s eat together |
| 영화 보자 | yeong-hwa bo-ja | Let’s watch a movie |
| 내일 만나자 | nae-il man-na-ja | Let’s meet tomorrow |
-아/어도 되다 (Permission: “It’s okay to…”)
This pattern expresses permission or acceptance, meaning “it’s okay to…” or “you may…” The song uses this to offer comfort, telling the listener it’s okay to cry or feel tired.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 여기 앉아도 돼요 | yeo-gi an-ja-do dwae-yo | You may sit here |
| 늦어도 괜찮아 | neu-jeo-do gwaen-cha-na | It’s okay to be late |
| 쉬어도 돼 | swi-eo-do dwae | You can rest |
Culture Note
In Korean culture, the idea of “running away together” (함께 도망가다) often appears in love songs and dramas. It represents escaping the pressures of Korean society, which can include demanding work culture, family expectations, and social obligations. Rather than literally running away, it symbolizes finding a safe emotional space with someone you trust. This theme resonates deeply with Koreans who often face intense stress from work and social pressures.
The concept of being someone’s “shelter” or “safe place” (안식처) is highly valued in Korean relationships. Partners are expected to provide emotional refuge for each other, which is beautifully expressed in this song’s message of unconditional support.
Fun fact! Sunwoo Jung-a revealed that she wrote this song after having an argument with her husband and leaving the house in her pajamas! That personal experience of needing to escape and find comfort inspired this touching ballad. The song has been covered by many popular Korean artists including Jung Seung-hwan, Roy Kim, and N.Flying’s Yoo Hwe-seung, making it a great song to practice pronunciation by comparing different versions!