Have you ever wanted to learn Korean through a song that feels like a warm summer breeze? Today, we’re diving into “아름다워 (Beautiful)” by Stella Jang, a dreamy remake that captures the simple joy of being with someone you love. With its gentle melody and straightforward lyrics, this song is perfect for beginners who want to build their vocabulary while enjoying beautiful music.
What makes this song ideal for Korean learners? The lyrics use simple, repetitive phrases that are easy to follow along with. You’ll hear the word “아름다워 (beautiful)” over and over, helping it stick in your memory naturally. Plus, the song paints vivid scenes of beaches, sunshine, and mountain paths, giving you plenty of everyday vocabulary to absorb. Let’s explore this lovely track together!
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Lyrics Preview
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 아름다워 | a-reum-da-wo | You’re beautiful |
| 오 그대가 아름다워 | o geu-dae-ga a-reum-da-wo | Oh, you are beautiful |
| 복잡한 도시를 나와 | bok-jap-han do-si-reul na-wa | Leaving the busy city |
| 이름 모를 해변으로 | i-reum mo-reul hae-byeo-neu-ro | To an unknown beach |
| 우리는 함께 차를 달리네 | u-ri-neun ham-kke cha-reul dal-li-ne | We drive together |
| 그대의 모습은 하늘의 천사 | geu-dae-ui mo-seu-beun ha-neu-rui cheon-sa | Your appearance is like an angel from the sky |
| 우리는 해변을 걸어가네 | u-ri-neun hae-byeo-neul geo-reo-ga-ne | We walk along the beach |
Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!
Key Expressions
Here are the must-know expressions from this song!
아름다워 a-reum-da-wo
This means “beautiful” or “you’re beautiful.” It’s the informal/casual form of the adjective 아름답다 (to be beautiful). You can use this to describe people, scenery, or moments.
오늘 날씨가 정말 아름다워.
The weather today is really beautiful.
그대 geu-dae
A poetic and romantic way to say “you.” It’s commonly used in songs and literature rather than everyday conversation. Think of it as the Korean equivalent of “my dear” or “my love.”
그대가 보고 싶어요.
I miss you, my dear.
함께 ham-kke
This means “together.” It’s an essential word for expressing doing things with others and appears frequently in Korean songs and daily conversation.
우리 함께 영화 볼까요?
Shall we watch a movie together?
해변 hae-byeon
This means “beach” or “seashore.” A useful vocabulary word for talking about travel, summer activities, or vacation plans.
여름에 해변에 가고 싶어요.
I want to go to the beach in summer.
걸어가다 geo-reo-ga-da
This means “to walk (toward somewhere).” It combines 걷다 (to walk) with 가다 (to go), showing movement in a direction while walking.
집까지 걸어갈 거예요.
I’m going to walk home.
Grammar Points
-아/어 (Descriptive State Ending)
The ending -아/어 is used to express states or actions in an informal, casual way. When attached to adjectives like 아름답다, it becomes 아름다워, meaning “is beautiful.” This is one of the most fundamental grammar patterns in Korean, and you’ll hear it constantly in songs and everyday speech. The choice between -아 and -어 depends on the vowel in the verb stem (vowel harmony).
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 오늘 기분이 좋아. | o-neul gi-bu-ni jo-a | I feel good today. |
| 이 음식이 맛있어. | i eum-si-gi ma-si-sseo | This food is delicious. |
| 날씨가 따뜻해. | nal-ssi-ga tta-tteu-tae | The weather is warm. |
-네 (Exclamation/Observation Ending)
The ending -네 expresses surprise, realization, or observation about something you’re experiencing in the moment. It adds a feeling of wonder or gentle exclamation. In the song, “우리는 함께 차를 달리네” uses -네 to express the pleasant observation of “we’re driving together.” It’s like saying “Oh, we are…” with a sense of appreciation.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 비가 오네. | bi-ga o-ne | Oh, it’s raining. |
| 벌써 봄이 왔네. | beol-sseo bo-mi wat-ne | Oh, spring has already come. |
| 이 노래가 좋네. | i no-rae-ga jot-ne | Oh, this song is nice. |
Culture Note
Stella Jang is a talented Korean singer-songwriter who debuted in 2014. What makes her unique is her diverse musical range, spanning from rap and hip-hop to ballads, jazz, and folk. Her version of “아름다워” is actually a remake of a classic song originally performed by Yoon Soo-il Band, released as part of the “Digging Club Seoul Vol. 3” album in November 2018. The Digging Club Seoul project revives beloved Korean classics with fresh modern interpretations, making it a wonderful resource for learners who want to explore both old and new Korean music.
Fun fact! Stella Jang speaks six languages fluently: Korean, French, English, Spanish, Chinese, and German! She lived in France for about 11 years starting from middle school and graduated from the prestigious AgroParisTech, studying biotechnology and business management. Because of her impressive linguistic abilities, she’s often called the “brain beauty” of the Korean music industry. She sometimes sings in English and French, making her music accessible to international fans while also being a great inspiration for language learners everywhere! Interestingly, her birth name “성은 (Seong-eun)” contains the Chinese character for “star,” making “Stella” (which means “star” in Latin) a perfect match! She originally dreamed of becoming a rapper after listening to Big Bang, but eventually expanded her musical horizons.
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