BTS – Sea (hidden track on Love Yourself: Her album CD)
written by: Suga, Slow Rabbit, RM, J-Hope
Sorry this is really late!
I was hoping my physical copy would have lyrics to this song, but it did not. I searched for Korean lyrics and there are multiple versions on-line with slight differences.
This is based on what I can hear. However, as there are no official lyrics available, there may be some errors.
This song seems to use metaphors for:
sea = hope
desert = trials/despair
However, in typical BTS fashion, the metaphors are not simple. Hope and despair are not mutually exclusive, and sea water can be destructive while desert can be beautiful.
Somehow somehow walked and reached the sea
At this sea, I look at the beach.
The countless sand grains and painfully harsh winds
I’m still seeing the desert.
I wanted to have the sea, so I wholly drank you in.
But the thirst is worse than before
Is this place I’ve reached truly the sea,
Or is it a blue desert?
Sea is metaphor for life and hope, but drinking sea water is often a desperate and self-destructive behavior:
According to Google search:
Human kidneys can only make urine that is less salty than salt water. Therefore, to get rid of all the excess salt taken in by drinking seawater, you have to urinate more water than you drank. Eventually, you die of dehydration even as you become thirstier.
I don’t know I don’t know
Whether I’m feeling the waves right now, yeah
I don’t know I don’t know
Whether I still running away from the sandstorms, yeah
I don’t know I don’t know
Is it the sea? The desert? Hope? Despair?
Real? Or Fake? Shit
I know I know. My trials now
I know I know. Will be overcome
I know I know,
I’m the one for you to rely on
OR: You’re the one for me to rely on
OR: I’m the one I am to rely on
내가 = I am (naega)
네가 = You are (nehga, often pronounced neega to make it sound a bit more different from “I am/naega“)
It’s very difficult to tell which is which in these sentences, which may possibly be intentional as all versions can make sense. There is slight mumbling of words here, which may be just stylistic but I’ve read some K-Army write that it may be intentional to make the song have multiple meanings.
I think of it positively
I swallow dryly
“I swallow dryly” means “I feel anxious/nervous” – a commonly used phrase in Korea to express anxiety/nervousness.
Fight or flight response causes sympathetic nervous system response which causes dry mouth.
Even if I feel anxious, even if it’s the desert
that it’s the beautiful Namib Desert
It’s interesting that the origin of the name of Namib Desert means “vast place” like the sea, with sand seas.
Where there is hope, there are always trials
Where there is hope, there are always trials
Where there is hope, there are always trials
Where there is hope, there are always trials
The word “trials” used here is the one used in “trials and tribulations” in the Bible… meaning difficult times/hardship.
Update: This line references Murakami (thanks rishamangetsu in comments!)
“Wherever there’s hope there’s a trial. You’re exactly right. Absolutely. Hope, however, is limited, and generally abstract, while there are countless trials, and they tend to be concrete. That is also something I had to learn on my own.”
― Haruki Murakami, 1Q84 BOOK 3
Where there is hope
You know you know
You know you know yeah yeah
Where there is hope
You know you know
You know you know yeah yeah
This place that I thought was the sea was ironically a desert
And my second name was an idol from a small agency with no connections
Frequently being cut out from broadcast
Chance to fill in for someone who didn’t show was our dream
Some said that we wouldn’t make it because we’re from a small company
I know I know, I know it too.
The days when seven of us tried to fall asleep in one room
And the faith before sleep that tomorrow would be different
were mirages of a desert
Able to see but unable to touch
I pray for survival in this endless desert
I pray that this is not reality
Finally, we caught up with the mirage and it became reality
The desert that we feared were filled with our blood, sweat and tears to become the sea.
But what are these fears among all this happiness?
We know too well that this place was really a desert.
Regarding term “blood, sweat and tears”, there was a similar term in Korean “blood and sweat/bloody sweat (피땀)” or “blood tears (피눈물)”. 피 땀 눈물 is a Korean translation of the English phrase “blood, sweat and tears” and used to not exist in Korean language prior to the BTS song… but they occasionally use it now since the “Blood Sweat and Tears” song came out.
I don’t want to cry
I don’t want to rest
No, how about resting just a little?
No no no
I don’t want to lose
This is really a desert
Then we’ll just have to run
We’ll just have to cry more
I heard the last 2 lines as:
그럼 달려야지뭐
더 울어야지 뭐
which is how I translated this part.
I’ve also seen it interpreted as:
그럼다 알려줬네
Then you were told everything
더 오래하지뭐/더 우울해야지 뭐/더 해야지 뭐
We’ll just have to do it longer/We’ll just have to be more sad/We’ll just have to do more
They mumble a lot in these two lines so it’s difficult to tell.
Update:
Other interpretation as mentioned by grk637 in comments (BTS really makes us think too much!! ^^)
S: 울고 싶지 않아, 쉬고 싶지 않아
JH: 아니 조금만 쉬면 어때 / 아니 조금 마시면 어때 (the sea water)
RM: 아니 아니 아니
S: 지고 싶지 않아, 원래 사막이 잖아
RM: 그럼 달래주면 (pacify the thirst?)
JH: 더 오래 하지 뭐
translating to:
S: I don’t want to cry, I don’t want to rest
JH: What’s wrong with a little rest?/ What’s wrong with a little drink? (the sea water)
RM: no, no, no
S: I don’t want to lose, it was originally a desert
RM: If you pacify it (“it,” being the thirst?)
JH: it’s just go longer, then
Where there is hope, there are always trials
Where there is hope, there are always trials
Where there is hope, there are always trials
Where there is hope, there are always trials
Where there is hope
You know you know
You know you know yeah yeah
Where there is hope
You know you know
You know you know yeah yeah
Ocean, desert, the world
Everything, the same thing,
Different name
I see ocean, l see desert
I see the world
Everything’s the same thing
With a different name
It’s life again
Where there is hope
You know you know
You know you know yeah yeah
Where there is hope
You know you know
You know you know yeah yeah
Where there is hope, there is always despair
Where there is hope, there is always despair
Where there is hope, there is always despair
Where there is hope, there is always despair
We have to despair, for all the trials
We have to despair, for all the trials
I think someone asked me what the last phrase means.
We have to despair, for all the trials
The Korean lyrics just say, “we have to despair, for all the trials.” So… it’s not much clearer in Korean…
The phrase 우린 절망 해야해, is kind of “we’re forced to despair/we must despair/we need to despair/we have to despair”.
So they have to despair for the trials.
If the trials = desert, and hope = sea… Hmmm… But the song seems to imply that the sea and the desert are actually the same.
So maybe it also means, “We must despair to have hope.”
I don’t know… It probably has flexible meaning with numerous possible interpretation.
Regarding the Sea imagery, the same imagery shows up in other songs such as Best of Me. I love this album because each song is a piece of art, but all the songs tie in together to form another larger piece of art, with progression of ideas as you listen to the songs in order. (interpretation from 감자밭할매)
In Best of Me,
다정한 파도고 싶었지만
니가 바다인 건 왜 몰랐을까
I wanted to be warm/supportive waves
But why hadn’t I realized that you’re the sea?
The song could be directed to loved one/fans.
BTS wanted to be a warm support (waves), but realized that the loved one/fans were actually even bigger then them (the sea) in their love and support back to BTS.
Since it is the sea that makes the waves, it is the love that BTS receives that creates BTS and the love that BTS can give out.
muish's ramblings... 
Beautiful ramblings
Sorry I accidentally posted before finishing my question, so I was wondering about “Frequently being cut out from broadcast,
Chance to fill in for someone who didn’t show was our dream” couldn’t it be “Being cut from broadcast is a common thing (something that happens all the time), Chance to fill in for someone who didn’t show (was cancelled) was our dream” (those 2 lines being connected) like, they were waiting for a chance to debut, but there was no place for them and they were wishing someone would be cancelled to take their place and debut. Otherwise you have them being cut from broadcasts all the time (so being replaced by someone else) and wishing to do the same (could work too), Or them being frequently cut from broadcasts. (end of the sentence). Being replacement for someone else was our dream (second sentence not connected) which would be a bit odd….Why would they dream to be a replacement? That makes no sense, so the second line is really linked to the first, taking the place of someone (cancelled) was their dream because maybe the only chance they would have to perform since they were from a small company with no connections. The thing is that nothing says who or what was cancelled. A lot of ppl are referring to Music Shows performances being shortened, but even groups from bigger companies had their song shortened, so it’s not that, some believe there are hidden performances not aired, but if they performed in front of a public, Army would have talked about it, so either they were cancelled before performing (and before it was announced) or we are talking about concerts/festivals/awards shows where they didn’t perform or that were not aired entirely. And then we have that line about them dreaming to fill in for someone else (after being cancelled themselves)… I find that a bit weird, because why taking back that little group without connections to replace someone when you just kicked them out earlier? Of course they could just be the extras that they cast when there is really no one else and them just being happy to do so but… I still wonder if we can’t interpret this differently, as I mentioned it at the beginning, because groups being cut/cancelled from broadcast is a common thing, they dreamed to take their place (and had a chance to perform). Thanks!
I think being cut from broadcasts are probably either being scheduled in, then being cancelled due to time constraints, or actually filming it and then not airing at all due to time constraints. And if they prerecord performances for music shows, they can definitely record something, then not air. One fairly significant incident of this happening was Busan One Asia Festival in 2016 where they promoted the event with BTS in line up, but cut them out of the broadcast. If this was happening blatantly even in 2016, it probably happened even more earlier in their careers.
“..they were wishing someone would be cancelled to take their place and debut.” —> this from what you wrote… I’m not quite sure I understand what you’re asking. But when they got to fill in for others cancelling, it’s NOT that they somehow made the other artist be cut, taking away their opportunity, so they can be on the show. It’s more like, some of the artists who are famous and busy often schedule things too close together. So if there’s a traffic jam or something, sometimes these artists don’t make it to their schedule on time, and then sometimes rookies get to perform as a fill-in.
Sorry I lost that comment :( and it was somehow confusing. Let’s try again.
“This place that I thought was the sea was ironically a desert
And my second name was an idol from a small agency with no connections
Frequently being cut out from broadcast
Chance to fill in for someone who didn’t show was our dream”
When I first read it, I thought it was about their pre-debuts and it was saying smt like:
“Being cut from broadcast is something that happens all the time (smt that happens to everybody)
Chance to fill in for someone who didn’t show was our dream”
1. I remember an interview (Arirang?) where they were saying there was no opening for them to debut, there were no (or little) shows like Simply kpop, they had to wait, and from that frustration they composed No More Dreams. I guess there was a limit to how many rookie groups could debut? If the debut of a group get cancelled or delayed then it lets the chance to another group to debut, and here, we are not talking about just one slot in a music show.
So it was my question: Could it refers to that time (2012), when they were desperately waiting for an opportunity to debut, dreaming that they could take the place of another group that was not ready to debut then?
2. Music Shows (Music Core, Music Bank, MCountdown, Show Champion, Inkigayo). We know from JHope that they had to call to get a place (during weeks of promo) and sometimes the slots were all taken.
It’s possible they were supposed to perform at Inkigayo (for instance), but when the final line up was decided, and before it was announced, they gave the place to someone else. So here, the cancelled Bangtan, could hope to fill in, in case one of them couldn’t attend after all. (but they still did a lot of them so… and it was more fighting to get in than filling in, plus they can’t attend music shows just anytime )
Performances/line up were usually announced a few days before, and ARMY were invited to assist to the pre-recording and live. BTS rarely performed without a public, it happened when they had to film in advance because of their schedule and BH warned ARMY about it. Also fans, ARMY or not, were squatting those places checking everybody entering or leaving, so you could count on them to report everything. Plus BTS always had a busy schedule, so days they were not performing on music shows, they were scheduled elsewhere. For those reasons, I personally think, there is very very very little chance that their performances in a regular Music Show was filmed but not aired without ARMY knowing about it. (And I think it doesn’t fit the lyrics either)
3. Special Music Shows, Awards, Broadcasted Concerts. Here we all know that they don’t broadcast everything, if the artists perform 3 songs, they show 2, 2 songs, they show 1. Fancams are here for that reason. They have to cram everybody in a shorter time, so they cut, whoever it is….but big names still have more time (they are not crazy). BTS often got 2-3 songs.
About Busan One Asia Festival. They were scheduled but then, a few days before, RM couldn’t perform anymore because of his leg. My guess would be that the organizers thought they were cancelling and quickly re-arranged the line-up for the opening. Later (like one or two days before the concert) BH posted on Twitter that the scheduled performances were not cancelled but would be without RM. And then V-Live announced the same day, BTS would be performing but it would not be broadcasted. BTS returned at Busan One Asia Festival like 3 weeks later with RM and 1 or 2 songs was broadcasted. Some ppl are saying they were not even supposed to perform at all, but it’s not true, they were wearing their “Save Me” outfits, mics in hands and dancing backstage while Psy was performing. They were ready. It was just not broadcasted, and I think it was because of misunderstandings and logistic reasons. It would be dumb to cut someone they announced all along because suddenly, without reason, they don’t have time anymore (usually they don’t know it in advance haha!). The reason, IMO, is they had already asked someone else to fill in and it was too late to change that again.
4. Anything else, interviews, TV shows etc… I think most of unseen footage are in that category. Something filmed without public. And this, also fits the lyrics
“This place that I thought was the sea was ironically a desert—– (already debuted)
And my second name was an idol from a small agency with no connections——(it’s hard to sell rookies to tv shows)
Frequently being cut out from broadcast ——-(they promised them a spot, but cancelled it or cut it out)
Chance to fill in for someone who didn’t show was our dream” ——(they were expecting a guest to cancel)
So who and what was cut?
My main question finally is:
is it “Frequently being cut out from broadcast”?
or “”Being cut out from broadcast is something that happens frequently”?
Damn it’s still long OTL….
Thanks
*Pop in Seoul, not Simply kpop.
Hi! I was wondering about this sentence
Thank you so much! Ur writing really help me understand BTS’ songs better. Yup BTS definitely makes ARMY think a lot…hehe…but that’s why we luv them.
Thank you so much! Your writing really help me understand BTS’ songs better. Yup BTS definitely makes ARMY thinks a lot…but that’s why we love them
Hi! Reading this has really helped me better understanding the meaning behind the lyrics, thank you so much. I also heard that Sea was supposed to be a follow up track to a hidden track in their first album, 2 Cool 4 Skool. It’s called “On The Start Line”, here’s a link to it https://genius.com/Bts-hidden-track-skit-on-the-start-line-annotated
I was wondering if you knew anything more about how they’re connected? In this track as well, RM mentions the desert and ocean imagery and the lyrics of both hidden tracks are quite parallel to one another. Thank you!
Just dropping by to let you know that I’ll be anticipating your ramblings and interpretation of the songs from the new album.
Thank you in advance Ms. Muish.
Thank you so much for your interpretation!
Also, “Where there is hope, there are always trials” is a reference to this”
“Wherever there’s hope there’s a trial. You’re exactly right. Absolutely. Hope, however, is limited, and generally abstract, while there are countless trials, and they tend to be concrete. That is also something I had to learn on my own.”
― Haruki Murakami, 1Q84 BOOK 3
Than you for these!!
“BTS wanted to be a warm support (waves), but realized that the loved one/fans were actually even bigger then them (the sea) in their love and support back to BTS.”
This really hit me in the soft spot!! *sniff sniff*
Parаa entender mｅlhor, think about uma bibⅼiߋteca.
OMG I was waiting for this Mrs. muish! Thank you for taking time to translate. Sea really is a sad song for me and have been holding on to finally receiving my album before I heard the full song and I cried just by hearing it without translations now I can appreciate it even more when I read what the last part that Tae sang meant it gets even sadder :((
Thank you for your translations and ramblings! Definitely one of the most thoughtful sources I’ve found.
Adding to the discussion: I think the despair/hope dichotomy takes more meaning in light if RM’s acceptance speech from winning Artist of the Year at MAMA 2017. https://youtu.be/G-SXvYqzjKw
Thank you for always enlightening fellow ARMY with your wonderful translations (plus extra cultural context) and interpretations! Regarding that dialogue bit after Suga’s verse, knowing them, I’m pretty sure it’s purposefully difficult to understand so that it could have multiple meanings. I’ve listened to this part many times and I think I hear another interpretation in RM and JH’s lines (RM’s last line is particularly hard to understand though):
*excuse my poor Korean spelling skills…*
S: 울고 싶지 않아, 쉬고 싶지 않아
JH: 아니 조금만 쉬면 어때 / 아니 조금 마시면 어때 (the sea water)
RM: 아니 아니 아니
S: 지고 싶지 않아, 원래 사막이 잖아
RM: 그럼 달래주면 (pacify the thirst?)
JH: 더 오래 하지 뭐
English translation for the other readers:
S: I don’t want to cry, I don’t want to rest
JH: What’s wrong with a little rest?/ What’s wrong with a little drink? (the sea water)
RM: no, no, no
S: I don’t want to lose, it was originally a desert
RM: If you pacify it (“it,” being the thirst?)
JH: it’s just go longer, then
Thank you SO much for this. I’m so intrigued by those last couple of lines that are mumbled…they seem incredibly significant, and to not be able to pin down exactly what is being said is really something.
Thank you so much for the beautiful translation. I feel like i understand the song better now. Please do more in the future. I love your blog