If you have been exploring the Korean indie rock scene, chances are you have already encountered Silica Gel (실리카겔). This experimental four-piece band has been pushing musical boundaries since their debut in 2015, blending psychedelic rock, post-rock, and alternative sounds with captivating visual performances. Their 2022 single “NO PAIN” became a breakthrough moment, earning them the Best Modern Rock Song award at the 2023 Korean Music Awards.
What makes “NO PAIN” particularly interesting for advanced Korean learners is its unique blend of Korean and English lyrics, along with emotionally charged expressions that capture feelings of hope, belonging, and resilience. The song explores themes of community and finding warmth in a cold world, making the vocabulary both meaningful and memorable. The mix of Korean-English code-switching also reflects how modern Korean speakers naturally incorporate English into everyday speech, giving you authentic exposure to contemporary language use.
Ready to dive into this powerful anthem? Let us break down the key expressions and grammar that will take your Korean to the next level!
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Lyrics Preview
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 내가 만든 집에서 | nae-ga man-deun jib-e-seo | In the house I built |
| 모두 함께 노래를 합시다 | mo-du ham-kke no-rae-reul hap-si-da | Let us all sing together |
| 우리만의 따뜻한 불 | u-ri-man-ui tta-tteu-tan bul | Our own warm fire |
Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!
Key Expressions
Here are the must-know expressions from this song!
소외되다 so-oe-doe-da
This verb means “to be alienated” or “to be marginalized.” It combines 소외 (alienation, isolation) with the passive verb ending. This is commonly used when discussing social issues or feelings of exclusion.
그는 학교에서 소외된 기분을 느꼈다.
He felt alienated at school.
따뜻한 tta-tteu-tan
The adjective form of 따뜻하다 (to be warm), used to describe not just physical warmth but also emotional warmth, kindness, and comfort. In the song, it describes the communal fire that brings people together.
할머니의 따뜻한 말씀이 기억나요.
I remember my grandmother’s warm words.
미워하다 mi-wo-ha-da
This verb means “to hate” or “to resent.” It comes from the adjective 밉다 (to be hateful/dislikable) combined with 하다. The phrase “날 미워하지 마” (do not hate me) is a heartfelt plea commonly heard in emotional contexts.
나를 미워하지 않았으면 좋겠어.
I hope you do not hate me.
자경단 ja-gyeong-dan
This noun means “vigilante group” or “self-defense corps,” literally “a group that protects itself.” In the song, it represents people coming together to guard their own spirits. Interestingly, this term has also become associated with Silica Gel’s fanbase.
마을 사람들이 자경단을 만들었다.
The villagers formed a vigilante group.
훔치다 hum-chi-da
This verb means “to steal.” In the song’s poetic context, the “vigilante” gathering after the night fog thickens “to steal” suggests reclaiming something lost, perhaps hope or agency in a difficult world.
누군가 내 자전거를 훔쳤어요.
Someone stole my bicycle.
Grammar Points
-ㅂ시다 / -읍시다 (Formal Suggestion: “Let us…”)
This formal propositive ending is used to suggest doing something together. It attaches to verb stems and creates a sense of collective action. When the verb stem ends in a vowel, use -ㅂ시다. When it ends in a consonant, use -읍시다. This form appears repeatedly in the song’s chorus, creating a powerful call to unity.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 같이 점심을 먹읍시다. | ga-chi jeom-si-meul meo-geup-si-da | Let us eat lunch together. |
| 내일 회의를 시작합시다. | nae-il hoe-ui-reul si-jak-hap-si-da | Let us start the meeting tomorrow. |
| 우리 모두 힘을 합칩시다. | u-ri mo-du hi-meul hap-chip-si-da | Let us all combine our strength. |
-(으)ㄹ 거라고 생각하다 (Thinking that one will…)
This pattern expresses what someone thought they would do. It combines the future tense modifier -(으)ㄹ 거 with the quotation marker -라고 and the verb 생각하다 (to think). It is useful for expressing past expectations or intentions, especially ones that may have changed.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 나는 합격할 거라고 생각했어. | na-neun hap-gyeo-kal geo-ra-go saeng-ga-kae-sseo | I thought I would pass. |
| 그녀는 올 거라고 생각했는데 안 왔어. | geu-nyeo-neun ol geo-ra-go saeng-ga-kaet-neun-de an wa-sseo | I thought she would come, but she did not. |
| 비가 올 거라고 생각해서 우산을 가져왔어. | bi-ga ol geo-ra-go saeng-ga-kae-seo u-sa-neul ga-jyeo-wa-sseo | I brought an umbrella because I thought it would rain. |
Culture Note
The theme of creating a shared space where marginalized people can find warmth and community resonates deeply in Korean society. Korea has a strong tradition of collective gatherings, from traditional village meetings to modern-day fan communities. The concept of 정 (jeong), a uniquely Korean form of deep emotional bonding, underlies this desire to belong and care for one another. The song’s invitation to sing together in a metaphorical “house” taps into this cultural value of finding strength through togetherness.
Fun fact! The term “자경단” (vigilante group) used in the lyrics has become the unofficial name for Silica Gel’s fanbase. However, band members have mentioned they are considering alternative names since “vigilante” can carry negative connotations in some cultures. Also, vocalist Kim Han-ju revealed that the phrase “음악 없는 세상” (a world without music) was inspired by the French author Pascal Quignard’s book “The Hatred of Music.”