Are you ready to discover a song that perfectly captures the feeling of pushing forward even when life gets tough? Today, we’re diving into “I Go” (아이고) by Stella Jang, a talented Korean singer-songwriter known for her heartfelt lyrics and diverse musical style. Released in 2018, this track is an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt worn down but determined to keep moving.
This song is fantastic for intermediate Korean learners because it features everyday vocabulary mixed with powerful emotional expressions. You’ll encounter practical grammar patterns like -고 (for listing and connecting actions) and -아/어 가다 (expressing ongoing progress), all wrapped in a catchy, easy-to-follow melody. The lyrics paint vivid pictures of daily life struggles—worn-out shoes, a bag full of holes, and tattered clothes—making it relatable and memorable for language learning.
The title “아이고” is a clever play on words. While it sounds like “I go” in English, it’s also one of the most commonly used Korean exclamations, expressing everything from exhaustion to surprise. Learning this song will help you understand both the grammar and the emotional nuances of everyday Korean!
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Lyrics Preview
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 뒤도 돌아 보지 않고 | dwi-do do-ra bo-ji an-ko | Without looking back |
| 숨을 한번 가다듬고 | su-meul han-beon ga-da-deum-go | Taking a deep breath to compose myself |
| 닳아가는 나의 신발창 | dal-a-ga-neun na-ui sin-bal-chang | My shoe soles wearing away |
| 여기저기 구멍이 난 등에 멘 가방 | yeo-gi-jeo-gi gu-meong-i nan deung-e men ga-bang | The bag on my back with holes here and there |
| 입은 티셔츠는 너덜너덜 | i-beun ti-syeo-cheu-neun neo-deol-neo-deol | The t-shirt I’m wearing is all tattered |
| 산과 골짝을 지나 | san-gwa gol-jjak-eul ji-na | Passing through mountains and valleys |
| 거센 강물을 건너서 | geo-sen gang-mu-reul geon-neo-seo | Crossing the fierce river |
Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!
Key Expressions
Here are the must-know expressions from this song!
뒤도 돌아보지 않고 dwi-do do-ra-bo-ji an-ko
This phrase means “without looking back.” It expresses determination and the resolve to move forward without hesitation or regret.
그녀는 뒤도 돌아보지 않고 떠났다.
She left without looking back.
숨을 가다듬다 su-meul ga-da-deum-da
This expression means “to catch one’s breath” or “to compose oneself.” It’s used when someone pauses to calm down or prepare mentally.
면접 전에 숨을 가다듬었어요.
I took a moment to compose myself before the interview.
닳아가다 dal-a-ga-da
This verb means “to wear out” or “to gradually become worn.” It combines 닳다 (to wear) with -아 가다 (ongoing process).
이 연필이 점점 닳아가고 있어요.
This pencil is gradually wearing down.
너덜너덜 neo-deol-neo-deol
This is an expressive word (의태어) describing something that is ragged, tattered, or falling apart. It vividly depicts worn-out clothing or objects.
오래된 책이 너덜너덜해졌어요.
The old book became all tattered.
발걸음이 무거워지다 bal-geol-eum-i mu-geo-wo-ji-da
This phrase means “one’s steps become heavy,” expressing reluctance, fatigue, or emotional burden when walking somewhere.
집에 갈수록 발걸음이 무거워졌다.
My steps grew heavier as I got closer to home.
Grammar Points
-고 (Connecting and Listing Actions)
The grammar pattern -고 is used to connect two or more actions or states. It can show that actions happen in sequence or simply list multiple things. In this song, you’ll hear it in phrases like “뒤도 돌아보지 않고” (without looking back) and “숨을 가다듬고” (composing oneself), where it connects the action to what follows.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 아침을 먹고 학교에 갔어요. | a-chim-eul meok-go hak-gyo-e ga-sseo-yo | I ate breakfast and went to school. |
| 음악을 듣고 공부해요. | eum-ak-eul deut-go gong-bu-hae-yo | I listen to music and study. |
| 손을 씻고 밥을 먹었어요. | son-eul ssit-go bab-eul meo-geo-sseo-yo | I washed my hands and ate. |
-아/어 가다 (Ongoing Process or Gradual Change)
The pattern -아/어 가다 expresses an action or state that is gradually progressing or continuing toward the future. In “닳아가는” (wearing away), we see this grammar showing that the shoe soles are continuously, gradually wearing out over time. This pattern emphasizes the ongoing nature of a change.
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 날씨가 점점 추워져 가요. | nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom chu-wo-jyeo ga-yo | The weather is gradually getting colder. |
| 시간이 흘러가고 있어요. | si-gan-i heul-leo-ga-go i-sseo-yo | Time is passing by. |
| 우리의 추억이 사라져 가요. | u-ri-ui chu-eok-i sa-ra-jyeo ga-yo | Our memories are gradually fading away. |
Culture Note
Stella Jang debuted in 2014 and has become known for her versatile musical style, ranging from hip-hop and jazz to folk and ballads. What makes her particularly interesting is her international background—she spent 12 years studying in France, majoring in biotechnology and business management. Her stage name “Stella” actually came from a French teacher who found her Korean name difficult to pronounce. The name connects beautifully to her birth name, 장성은, where 성 (星) means “star” in Korean.
The song title “아이고” is a brilliant wordplay. While it sounds like the English “I go,” 아이고 is one of the most versatile Korean exclamations. Koreans use it to express exhaustion (“아이고, 피곤해!”), surprise, pain, joy, or even affection toward children. Understanding when and how to use 아이고 naturally is a sign of advanced Korean cultural fluency!
Fun fact! Stella Jang is a remarkable polyglot who speaks Korean, French, and English fluently, with some Spanish ability as well. She once performed Toy’s “A Warm Goodbye” (뜨거운 안녕) in six different languages on the popular Korean music show “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook,” leaving viewers amazed. She also performed “I Go” on the same show in September 2018, showcasing her emotional delivery and musical talent to a wider audience.
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