Are you looking for a gentle, soothing Korean song to help you learn the language? “좋은 밤 좋은 꿈” (Good Night Good Dream) by Nerd Connection is the perfect choice for beginner learners. Released in March 2020, this beautiful ballad features slow, clear vocals and simple yet heartfelt lyrics that are ideal for those just starting their Korean learning journey.
Nerd Connection is a four-member Korean indie band that debuted in 2018. Their music is heavily influenced by British pop and alternative rock from the 1990s and early 2000s. The band’s slogan is “A chaotic world, warm music,” which perfectly describes the comforting feeling this song brings. Through this song, you’ll learn one of the most useful Korean expressions for saying goodnight, along with helpful grammar patterns for asking permission.
The song tells a bittersweet story of love and farewell, with the warm phrase “좋은 밤 좋은 꿈” (good night, sweet dreams) used as a gentle goodbye. This contrast between warm words and sad emotions is a beautiful example of how Korean expresses complex feelings through simple phrases.
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Lyrics Preview
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 좋은 밤 좋은 꿈 안녕 | jo-eun bam jo-eun kkum an-nyeong | Good night, sweet dreams, goodbye |
| 그대 곁에 남아 있을게요 | geu-dae gyeo-te na-ma i-sseul-ge-yo | I will stay by your side |
| 까만 밤이 다 지나고 | kka-man ba-mi da ji-na-go | When the dark night passes |
Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!
Key Expressions
Here are the must-know expressions from this song!
좋은 밤 jo-eun bam
This means “good night” in Korean. 좋은 (jo-eun) means “good” and 밤 (bam) means “night.” This is a warm, casual way to wish someone a good night.
좋은 밤 보내세요!
Have a good night!
좋은 꿈 jo-eun kkum
This means “good dream” or “sweet dreams.” 꿈 (kkum) means “dream.” Koreans often say this when saying goodnight to loved ones.
좋은 꿈 꿔요.
Sweet dreams. (Have good dreams.)
안녕 an-nyeong
A casual way to say both “hello” and “goodbye” in Korean. In this song, it’s used as a tender farewell.
안녕, 내일 봐!
Bye, see you tomorrow!
그대 geu-dae
A poetic and romantic way to say “you.” It’s commonly used in songs and poetry, giving a more tender feeling than the standard 너 (neo) or 당신 (dang-sin).
그대를 사랑해요.
I love you. (poetic/romantic)
곁에 gyeo-te
This means “by (someone’s) side” or “beside.” 곁 (gyeot) means “side” and 에 (e) is a location particle.
항상 네 곁에 있을게.
I’ll always be by your side.
Grammar Points
-아/어도 되다 (Asking or Giving Permission)
This grammar pattern is used to ask for permission (“May I…?”) or to give permission (“You may…”). Attach -아도 되다 to verb stems ending in ㅏ or ㅗ, and -어도 되다 to other verb stems. This is one of the most practical patterns for everyday Korean conversation!
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 가도 돼요? | ga-do dwae-yo? | May I go? |
| 여기 앉아도 돼요? | yeo-gi an-ja-do dwae-yo? | May I sit here? |
| 먹어도 돼요. | meo-geo-do dwae-yo. | You may eat. |
-을게요/-ㄹ게요 (Promise or Intention)
This ending expresses the speaker’s promise or intention to do something. It shows commitment to the listener. Use -을게요 after consonants and -ㄹ게요 after vowels. In the song, “남아 있을게요” uses this pattern to express a heartfelt promise to stay.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 기다릴게요. | gi-da-ril-ge-yo. | I will wait (for you). |
| 전화할게요. | jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo. | I’ll call you. |
| 곁에 있을게요. | gyeo-te i-sseul-ge-yo. | I’ll be by your side. |
Culture Note
In Korean culture, the phrase “좋은 밤 좋은 꿈” is a common and affectionate way to say goodnight to someone you care about. Unlike the more formal “안녕히 주무세요” (sleep well – formal), this expression feels warm and intimate, often used between close friends, family members, or romantic partners. Koreans frequently send this message via text before bed, sometimes shortened to just “좋은 꿈!” The song beautifully captures how this simple nightly greeting can carry deep emotional weight, especially when it becomes a final farewell.
Fun fact! Nerd Connection’s vocalist, Seo Young-joo, appeared on the popular JTBC audition program “Singer Again” as Contestant No. 26, which significantly boosted the band’s popularity. Before their debut, the band also won the EMERGENZA World Band Competition in Korea in 2018, earning them a spot to represent Korea at the Taubertal Festival in Germany!