Have you ever caught a scent that instantly transported you back to a special moment? That’s exactly what Korean artist Baek Hyunjin captures in his beautiful song “모과” (Quince). This dreamy track tells the story of a simple evening in a park, where the unexpected fragrance of quince fruit creates an unforgettable memory with someone special.
Baek Hyunjin is a fascinating figure in Korean arts—not just a musician, but also a painter, installation artist, and actor. His music defies easy categorization, blending gentle melodies with deeply poetic lyrics. “모과” is perfect for intermediate Korean learners because it uses everyday vocabulary wrapped in expressive grammar patterns. You’ll learn how to describe sensory experiences and express that beautiful feeling of “needing nothing else” when you’re with someone you love.
The song’s repetitive structure, especially the chorus “모과와 너만 있으면” (if I just have quince and you), makes it incredibly easy to memorize key grammar patterns while enjoying the music. Let’s dive in!
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Lyrics Preview
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 여느 때처럼 평범한 밤이었어 | yeo-neu ttae-cheo-reom pyeong-beom-han ba-mi-eo-sseo | It was an ordinary night like any other |
| 우리 둘은 공원에 있었지 | u-ri du-reun gong-wo-ne i-sseot-ji | The two of us were in the park |
| 매우 낡은 정자에 누워서 | mae-u nal-geun jeong-ja-e nu-wo-seo | Lying down in a very old pavilion |
| 눈을 감고 밤의 소리를 듣네 | nu-neul gam-go ba-me so-ri-reul deut-ne | Closing our eyes, listening to the sounds of the night |
| 그때 모과 냄새가 소리 없이 흐르네 | geu-ttae mo-gwa naem-sae-ga so-ri eop-si heu-reu-ne | Then the scent of quince flows silently |
| 그 냄새는 점점 강해지더니 | geu naem-sae-neun jeom-jeom gang-hae-ji-deo-ni | That scent grew stronger and stronger |
| 모과 냄새 서서히 진동을 하네 | mo-gwa naem-sae seo-seo-hi jin-dong-eul ha-ne | The quince scent slowly starts to vibrate |
Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!
Key Expressions
Here are the must-know expressions from this song!
여느 때처럼 yeo-neu ttae-cheo-reom
This expression means “like any other time” or “as usual.” It’s used to describe something ordinary or routine.
여느 때처럼 아침에 커피를 마셨어요.
I drank coffee in the morning like usual.
소리 없이 so-ri eop-si
This phrase means “silently” or “without a sound.” It’s a beautiful way to describe something happening quietly.
그녀는 소리 없이 방을 나갔어요.
She left the room silently.
점점 강해지다 jeom-jeom gang-hae-ji-da
This means “to gradually become stronger.” 점점 indicates something happening progressively.
바람이 점점 강해지고 있어요.
The wind is getting stronger and stronger.
다 필요 없고 da pi-ryo eop-go
This expression means “don’t need anything else” or “nothing else matters.” It’s a powerful way to express contentment.
다 필요 없고 건강만 있으면 돼요.
I don’t need anything else, just health.
맛이 가다 ma-si ga-da
This colloquial expression literally means “the taste goes away,” but it’s used to describe being overwhelmed, losing one’s senses, or going crazy (in a good or bad way).
그 영화 보고 완전 맛이 갔어.
I totally lost it after watching that movie.
Grammar Points
-네 (Exclamation and Realization)
The ending -네 is used when the speaker is expressing a feeling of exclamation, mild surprise, or confirming something they’re experiencing in real-time. It gives a soft, reflective tone and is often used when noticing or realizing something. In this song, it beautifully captures the moment of sensing the quince fragrance.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 밤의 소리를 듣네 | ba-me so-ri-reul deut-ne | I’m listening to the sounds of the night |
| 오늘 날씨가 좋네 | o-neul nal-ssi-ga jot-ne | The weather is nice today (I notice) |
| 벌써 봄이 왔네 | beol-sseo bo-mi wat-ne | Spring has already come (I realize) |
-만 있으면 (If only I have…)
This conditional pattern combines -만 (only) with 있으면 (if there is). It expresses that something is sufficient or all that’s needed. It’s a wonderful way to express contentment with simple things. The song uses this pattern repeatedly to show that the singer needs nothing more than quince and their loved one.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 모과와 너만 있으면 | mo-gwa-wa neo-man i-sseu-myeon | If I just have quince and you |
| 시간만 있으면 할 수 있어요 | si-gan-man i-sseu-myeon hal su i-sseo-yo | If I just have time, I can do it |
| 네가 옆에만 있으면 행복해 | ne-ga yeo-pe-man i-sseu-myeon haeng-bo-kae | If you’re just by my side, I’m happy |
Culture Note
Baek Hyunjin is truly a Renaissance man of Korean arts. He debuted in 1997 with the band “Uh Uh Boo Project” and has since built a remarkable career spanning music, painting, installation art, performance art, and acting. His music style is uniquely difficult to categorize—it exists in its own gentle, poetic space. “모과” was first performed live on the YouTube channel “OnStage” in 2022 and became a fan favorite, accumulating over one million views before it was officially released as a digital single in October 2024.
The quince (모과) holds an interesting place in Korean culture. There’s even a proverb: “어물전 망신은 꼴뚜기가 시키고, 과일전 망신은 모과가 시킨다” (The cuttlefish disgraces the fish market, and the quince disgraces the fruit market). This refers to the quince’s bumpy, imperfect appearance and its sour, astringent taste when eaten raw. However, despite its looks, the quince has an incredibly deep, distinctive fragrance—perhaps the most aromatic of all fruits. This duality makes it a perfect metaphor in the song: true beauty and comfort often come from unexpected, imperfect sources.
Fun fact! Beyond his music career, Baek Hyunjin won the prestigious “Artist of the Year” award from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea in 2017. He also directed the music video for “모과” himself, featuring actress Choi Sung-eun. The video has a nostalgic, karaoke-screen aesthetic with lyrics appearing on screen, adding to the song’s dreamlike quality!