Archive for November 2014

“And you may see this place and find no worth, but it’s a little piece of heaven here on Earth. Yeah, we always have a good time, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine. Yeah, we’re all living the good life, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine.” –The Script, Hail Rain or Sunshine

November is coming to an end, finally. And now we’re reaching the last post of this month, which means it’s also the last post with the theme November Rain. Through all writings in this whole month, we’ve read about songs and scenes about rain, most of them are melancholic yet romantic. And now, as the last post, I would like to bring up the mood to another level with this one special song. This song is titled “Hail Rain or Sunshine”, performed by Irish pop-rock band, The Script. It was released on September 12th 2014 as a part of their fourth studio album, titled “No Sound Without Silence”. As we know it, The Script used to show us their melancholic songs with their hits, name it “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”, “Nothing”, and “Breakeven (Falling to Pieces)”. But since “Hall of Fame”, they began to show their bright and more optimistic side. More or less, “Hail Rain or Sunshine” gives out the same vibe as “Hall of Fame” in term of its spirit. Unfortunately, this song hasn’t been chosen as promotional single for their album, or has not yet.

"No Sound Without Silence" album cover by The Script - source: en.wikipedia.org

That’s right, there’s sunshine after the rain. “Hail Rain or Sunshine” is a kind of song that could motivate us, ordinary people, to do not give up and be grateful for whatever states our lives are in right now. No matter how tiring and killing our daily routines are, people shouldn’t give up hopes. No matter how boring and exhausting our daily works are, people shouldn’t grieve. “We’re late to bed, we’re early to rise, wipe the sleep from our eyes. We head to work, we catch a lift, we have a smoke and we start this shift. We open up, we start to wake, maybe it’s gonna be our day. And suddenly, we start to smile, the sun is out for a while.” Indeed, life is full of ups and downs. But the hope must always be there. “We reach the top, we took the fall, but we laughed through it all. ‘Cause dreaming of them better days has always been our way.”

Whether it’s hail rain or sunshine, whether it’s bad time or good time, we should be thankful and enjoy every second of it. Everything will eventually pass. There’s no such thing as lasts forever. Whether it’s hail rain or sunshine, we always have a good time and we’re all living the good life. “And you may see this place and find no worth, but it’s a little piece of heaven here on Earth. Yeah, we always have a good time, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine. Yeah, we’re all living the good life, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine.” The place where we are right now, the people we are with right now, they’s God’s given, and that means the best for us. Other people may find no worth in them, but they’re everything for us and we won’t change them for anything in this world. No matter where you are and whom you with, be grateful, because there are still a lot of people out there who don’t have anywhere to go or people to be with. “And you may see my friends and find no worth, but, no, I’ll never go and change them for the world. Yeah, we always have a good time, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine. Yeah, we’re all living the good life, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine.”

"No Sound Without Silence" official jacket photo by The Script - source: usatoday.com

“Hail Rain or Sunshine” was written by The Script’s lead vocalist and lead guitarist, Danny O’Donoghue and Mark Sheehan, along with their producer, James Barry. There’s an interesting fact about the meaning behind their album title, “No Sound Without Silence”. From what I’ve read in an article, “No Sound Without Silence” is a phrase derived from an idea put forward by the band, where meaningful statements cannot be made without thinking about what you want to say first; the “silence” referring to the silence that persists while a person thinks about what they want to say, and the “sound” referring to the sounds made by people when they speak. The phrase is also a comment on the state of the music industry, where, according to the band, most artists and labels do not think critically about what they want to say, therefore, do not say meaningful things. Well, it’s quite philosophical, right? Anyway, the November ends, and soon we comes to December. Leave behind your painful memories and let the rain washes them away. Let’s welcome the last month of the year with a smiling face.

“And you may see my friends and find no worth, but, no, I’ll never go and change them for the world. Yeah, we always have a good time, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine. Yeah, we’re all living the good life, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine.” –The Script, Hail Rain or Sunshine

“We’re late to bed, we’re early to rise, wipe the sleep from our eyes

We head to work, we catch a lift, we have a smoke and we start this shift

We open up, we start to wake, maybe it’s gonna be our day

And suddenly, we start to smile, the sun is out for a while

And you may see this place and find no worth

But it’s a little piece of heaven here on Earth

Yeah, we always have a good time, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine

Yeah, we’re all living the good life, whether it’s hail rain or it’s sunshine

We reach the top, we took the fall, but we laughed through it all

‘Cause dreaming of them better days has always been our way

And you may see my friends and find no worth

But, no, I’ll never go and change them for the world”

Wrote by Mashita Fandia

“It may be hard to believe, but you’re the only one I need. It may be hard along the way, it’s this feeling I get when blue skies turn to grey. Feels like I’m walking in the rain, I find myself trying to wash away the pain, ‘cause I need you to give me some shelter, ‘cause I’m fading away, and I’m walking in the rain.” –A1, Walking in the Rain

Talking about songs of rain, there’s a beautiful Western song that unfortunately didn’t get a spotlight during its release back then. This ballad pop song is titled “Walking in the Rain”, performed by the English-Norwegian pop group, A1. This song was released on December 2nd 1999, as a part of their debut studio album, titled “Here We Come”.

"Here We Come" album cover by A1 - source: en.wikipedia.org

What does it feel like to walk in the rain? While being soaked in the wet, perhaps we would feel like we could hide away our tears. However, nothing could protect us from the coldness that seeping through our hearts. “Walking in the Rain” is a song about someone who’s longing for his/her past lover, realizing that they’ve lost the best one. “Sitting by the window, singing songs of love, wishing you were here because the memory’s not enough. Wear my mask in silence, pretending I’m alright, if you could see then you would be here standing by my side.” Since that person left them, everyday is raining for them. “Every single hour of every single day I need to cry, my eyes are dry, I’ve cried my tears away. Can’t help but remember how you made me feel, you dressed my soul and made me whole, you made my life complete.”

The hardest part of a breakup is facing the aftermath, indeed. Keep missing because the memories keep flooding. Keep longing because the memories aren’t enough. Keep feeling the emptiness as realizing that the person is the only one we need. Keep feeling the loneliness as realizing that person is the only one who could complete the hole in our lives. “It may be hard to believe, but you’re the only one I need. It may be hard along the way, it’s this feeling I get when blue skies turn to grey. Feels like I’m walking in the rain, I find myself trying to wash away the pain, ‘cause I need you to give me some shelter, ‘cause I’m fading away, and I’m walking in the rain.” We’re all alone now, but everything remains as memories now, and all over again, they make us feeling like we’re walking in the rain. “Of all we’ve said and done remains the memories of days when life was fun. But now when you are gone, I sit alone to watch the setting of the sun.”

A1 in 1999 - source: reveal.co.uk

“Walking in the Rain” was written by members of A1, Ben Adams and Christian Ingebrigtsen, and was produced by Steve Mac. As I’ve mentioned before, this song didn’t get a chance to shine back then, because A1 didn’t make it as one of their single. However, I love this song so much. It’s simple yet beautiful. Moreover, it sounds so rainy.

“Of all we’ve said and done remains the memories of days when life was fun. But now when you are gone, I sit alone to watch the setting of the sun.” –A1, Walking in the Rain

“Sitting by the window, singing songs of love, wishing you were here because the memory’s not enough

Wear my mask in silence, pretending I’m alright, if you could see then you would be here standing by my side

It may be hard to believe but, girl, you’re the only one I need

It may be hard along the way, it’s this feeling I get when blue skies turn to grey

Feels like I’m walking in the rain, I find myself trying to wash away the pain

‘Cause I need you to give me some shelter, ‘cause I’m fading away

And, baby, I’m walking in the rain

Every single hour of every single day I need to cry, my eyes are dry, I’ve cried my tears away

Can’t help but remember how you made me feel, you dressed my soul and made me whole, you made my life complete

Of all we’ve said and done remains the memories of days when life was fun

But now when you are gone, I sit alone to watch the setting of the sun

I said, baby, I’m walking in the rain”

Wrote by Mashita Fandia

“I set fire to the rain, watched it pour as I touched your face. Well, it burned while I cried ‘caused I heard it screaming out your name.” –Adele, Set Fire to the Rain

It’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon when I’m sitting on my office desk. I’m preparing to go somewhere when the rain suddenly falls outside. Behind me is the window and I can feel the gloomy dark clouds are creeping behind me. Moreover, the thunder is also screaming. In this situation, I can only sit back and forget my plan to go outside the office for a while. That’s when this song is popping out inside my mind in all of a sudden; Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain”. Well, it’s a great situation, because I personally think that this song is my third best songs about rain, after GnR’s “November Rain” (you can read the further review in here(link)) and Mariah Carey’s “Through the Rain” (you can find the review in here(link)). “Set Fire to the Rain” was released as a single on July 4th 2011 in the UK and on November 21st 2011 in the US. This single served as the third single released from Adele’s second studio album, “21”, that was released before, on January 19th 2011. The epic power ballad song was written by Adele Adkins herself, along with Fraser T. Smith, who’s also the producer of the single. In the interview with The Guardian, it was revealed that Adele got inspiration for the song when her lighter stopped working in the wet.

"Set Fire to the Rain" single cover by Adele - source: en.wikipedia.org

When the lighter stopped working in the wet, well, I find it very interesting that the almighty Adele could be inspired by that little thing to make this wonderful song. “Set Fire to the Rain” describes the contradictory elements of a relationship. When people fall in love, for some people sometimes, the fall so hard, like a rainstorm. Nothing could keep their feet standing on the ground. “I let it fall, my heart, and as it fell you rose to claim it. It was dark and I was over, until you kissed my lips and you saved me. My hands, they’re strong, but my knees were far too weak to stand in your arms without falling to your feet.” When people fall so hard in love, for some people sometimes, they find it hard to escape even though they understand that the relationship is not working. Nothing could beat the impossibility of letting go. “When I lay with you, I could stay there, close my eyes. Feel you here forever, you and me together, nothing gets better. ‘Cause there’s a side to you that I never knew. All the things you’d say, they were never true. And the games you play, you would always win.”

When the relationship stopped working but there’s no way out of the feeling, well, I guess that’s what ‘when the lighter stopped working in the wet’ means. For some people sometimes, they might just let the fire sets into the rain; just let it burn as well as let it wet. “I set fire to the rain, watched it pour as I touched your face. Well, it burned while I cried ‘caused I heard it screaming out your name. I set fire to the rain, and I threw us into the flames. When it fell, something died ‘cause I knew that that was the last time.” What can we do when our minds keep looking for that one person? What can we do when our hearts keep waiting for that one person? Even though the relationship is already over, the feeling can’t just over like that. Even though we burn up our feelings, we set fire to the rain. It’s not working, because it’s wet. “Sometimes I wake up by the door, that heart you caught must be waiting for you. Even now when we’re already over, I can’t help myself from looking for you.”

"21" album cover by Adele - source: en.wikipedia.org

“Set Fire to the Rain” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is the third consecutive number-one single of the same album, making Adele the first female British artist in history to have three consecutive US number-one hits. The song won at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards for the nomination Best Pop Solo Performance. Not only commercially succeed, “Set Fire to the Rain” also received critical acclaim from various critics with many complimenting on Adele’s vocal. As I’m writing this post, it’s already almost 4 o’clock and the hard rain already subsides, though the sky is still dark, a sign that rain could fall again in anytime. Well, I have to go somewhere, according to my plan. There are not many days more left in November, but the rainy season will continue until the early 2015. Even so, there are not many days more left to post about rain, so I hope you can enjoy these remaining days in November rain as much as I enjoy it. Cheers and stay healthy, Readers!

“I set fire to the rain, and I threw us into the flames. When it fell, something died ‘cause I knew that that was the last time.” –Adele, Set Fire to the Rain

“I let it fall, my heart, and as it fell you rose to claim it

It was dark and I was over, until you kissed my lips and you saved me

My hands, they’re strong, but my knees were far too weak

To stand in your arms without falling to your feet

But there’s a side to you that I never knew, never knew

All the things you’d say, they were never true, never true

And the games you play, you would always win, always win

But I set fire to the rain, watched it pour as I touched your face

Well, it burned while I cried ‘caused I heard it screaming out your name, your name

When I lay with you, I could stay there, close my eyes

Feel you here forever, you and me together, nothing gets better

‘Cause there’s a side to you that I never knew, never knew

All the things you’d say, they were never true, never true

And the games you play, you would always win, always win

I set fire to the rain, and I threw us into the flames

When it fell, something died ‘cause I knew that that was the last time, the last time

Sometimes I wake up by the door, that heart you caught must be waiting for you

Even now when we’re already over, I can’t help myself from looking for you

Let it burn”

Wrote by Mashita Fandia

“Today, just like a fool, I am standing at that place. I’m getting wet in the rain while keep waiting for you, who will never come. I was happy, in the memories of us holding hands and walking together. I take a look back again, in case you were standing there.” –Kyuhyun, At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서) [translated lyrics]

Cho Kyuhyun, the main vocalist of the infamous South Korean boy group, Super Junior, had his official solo debut with his first mini album, titled “At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서)”. The mini album was released on November 13th 2014, with the music video (MV) of its title song, “At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서)” was premiered on Mnet at the same day. Including its title song, the mini album contains total of seven ballad songs, showcasing Kyuhyun’s heartwarming vocal that goes well along with the beautiful melodies. The lead single, “At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서)”, is written by one of SM Entertainment’s best composers, Kenzie.

"At Gwanghwamun" mini album cover by Kyuhyun - source: k2nblog.com

The title song, “At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서)”, itself is a song about someone who recalls the memories of a past lover that they cherish so much in their hearts. Without they even realize, those memories bring them to that place again; the place where it all began, the place where it all ended. “How was your day? There’s still a little bit of summer left. For some reason, I had a tiring day. On the side of Gwanghwamun street, when the color of the leaves changed, that was when I finally lifted my head. We used to shine so bright together, but now we are strangers. In your arms, the world seemed like mine. Now it’s time to say goodbye to those childish days.” At that place, those memories come to life, as if it was just yesterday. At that place, as they reminisce those memories, for the first time they lift up their head and smile; realizing that they were happy back then, realizing that those memories still make them happy even now. “I didn’t know if living in this world is just about always looking for another person. As I came to this street, filled with the aroma of coffee, that was when I finally smiled. That was the first time that someone made me that nervous, you were the only one. You were more lovable than anyone else, but why did you leave me?”

A certain place brings a certain memory. The rain that falls at a certain place brings some certain memories too. At that place, when the rain falls, they can’t help but finding themselves still waiting for that one person who has left; whom they know will never come, but they keep waiting anyway, just like a fool. “Today, just like a fool, I am standing at that place. I’m getting wet in the rain while keep waiting for you, who will never come. I was happy, in the memories of us holding hands and walking together. I take a look back again, in case you were standing there.” At that place, which doesn’t change no matter how many times have passed by, they realize that their hearts remain the same too. “I’m happy, because even today, that place is just as beautiful as it was back then. For no reason, just like a fool, I am standing at this place. I’m getting wet in the rain while keep waiting for you, who will never come. I was happy. At this road in Gwanghwamun, I take a look back one more time, in case you were standing there.” At that place, they can’t help but finding themselves keep looking back, hoping that the person was standing there; although they realize that everything has changed. Day after day, everything will fade away, and they hope that someday in the future, they can meet that person again with a smiling face. “At that place, I get to know how the shape of myself is slowly changing every day. In the far days ahead, just smile for me.”

Kyuhyun's first mini album official teaser image - source: koreanindo.net

Before “At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서)”, Kyuhyun already had several solo tracks released as soundtracks or collaboration project, but this is the first time he has his official debut as a solo singer. The title song, “At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서)”, became Kyuhyun’s first number one song and brought him his first place winning in television music program such as Mnet M! Countdown, KBS Music Bank, and MBC Show! Music Core. Indeed, Kyuhyun’s vocal and musical ability is never disappointing for me. Hopefully in the future, the Super Junior’s maknae would shine more with his beautiful songs.

“I’m happy, because even today, that place is just as beautiful as it was back then. For no reason, just like a fool, I am standing at this place. I’m getting wet in the rain while keep waiting for you, who will never come. I was happy. At this road in Gwanghwamun, I take a look back one more time, in case you were standing there.” –Kyuhyun, At Gwanghwamun (광화문에서) [translated lyrics]

“Neon eottaenneunji ajik yeoreumi nama waenji nan jogeum jichyeotdeon haru

(How was your day? There’s still a little bit of summer left, for some reason, I had a tiring day)

Gwanghwamun garosu eunhaengip muldeul ttae geujeya gogael deureosseonna bwa

(On the side of Gwanghwamun street, when the color of the leaves changed, that was when I finally lifted my head)

Nuni busige banjjagideon uri dureun imi nami doeeotjanha

(We used to shine so bright together, but now we are strangers)

Ne pum aneseo sesangi nae geosieotdeon cheoreopdeon sijeoreun annyeong

(In your arms, the world seemed like mine, now it’s time to say goodbye to those childish days)

Oneul babocheoreom geu jarie seo inneun geoya

(Today, just like a fool, I am standing at that place)

Biga naerimyeon heumppeok jeojeumyeo oji ahnneun neoreul gidaryeo

(I’m getting wet in the rain while keep waiting for you, who will never come)

Naneun haengbokhaesseo geu son japgo geotdeon gieoge

(I was happy, in the memories of us holding hands and walking together)

Tto dwidora bwa niga seo isseulkka bwa

(I take a look back again, in case you were standing there)

Nan moreugesseo sesang saraganeun ge neul dareun nugul chatneun il inji

(I didn’t know if living in this world is just about always looking for another person)

Keopi hyang gadeukhan i gil chajaomyeo geujeya jogeum useotdeon naya

(As I came to this street, filled with the aroma of coffee, that was when I finally smiled)

Cheoeumieosseo geutorok nal tteollige han sarameun neoppunijanha

(That was the first time that someone made me that nervous, you were the only one)

Nuguboda deo sarangseureopdeon nega wae naegeseo tteonaganneunji

(You were more lovable than anyone else, but why did you leave me?)

Geu jarieseo maeil araga jogeumssik byeonhaeganeun nae moseubeun

(At that place, I get to know how the shape of myself is slowly changing every day)

Meon hutnaren geujeo useojwo

(In the far days ahead, just smile for me)

Nan haengbokhae oneul yeogin geu ttaecheoreom areumdauni

(I’m happy, because even today, that place is just as beautiful as it was back then)

Gwaenhi babocheoreom i jarie seo inneun geoya

(For no reason, just like a fool, I am standing at this place)

Biga naerimyeon heumppeok jeojeumyeo oji ahnneun neoreul gidaryeo

(I’m getting wet in the rain while keep waiting for you, who will never come)

Naneun haengbokhaesseo gwanghwamun i gireul

(I was happy, at this road in Gwanghwamun)

Dasi hanbeon dwidora bwa niga seo isseulkka bwa

(I take a look back one more time, in case you were standing there)”

Wrote by Mashita Fandia

“Close your eyes and listen to the sound of love inside your heart, resembling your cozy smile is the love rain. Feel the comfort and warm wind that passes over your shoulders, the soft love that blows softly through my window.” –Jung Dong Ha, Love Rain (Allegro) [translated lyrics]

When I was doing my research of songs about rain –in order to write for this month’s theme– I found out that one of my favorite Korean singers, Jung Dong Ha, also has a song about rain. Jung performed a ballad song titled “Love Rain (Allegro)”. No, it doesn’t have any relation with a Korean drama series titled “Love Rain”. It turns out that Jung had lent his husky voice for the Melody Project. “Love Rain (Allegro)” was the third part of the six-parts compilation album project. It was released on December 17th 2012 as a single titled “Melody Digital Compilation Album: Allegro”.

"Melody Digital Compilation Album: Allegro" single album cover by Jung Dong Ha - source: popgasa.com

Rain doesn’t always resemble sadness or loneliness. Sometimes, it resembles something sincere; like the rain of love, like this “Love Rain (Allegro)” song. The track showcases lyrical melodies which express emotions felt when engrossed in the feelings of love. “Close your eyes and listen to the sound of love inside your heart, resembling your cozy smile is the love rain. Feel the comfort and warm wind that passes over your shoulders, the soft love that blows softly through my window.” It’s not love if it’s not comforting. It’s not love if it’s not soft and warm. It’s not love if it’s not bringing smiles and laughs. It’s not love if it’s not being spoken. It’s not love if it can’t make us feel. “Stay still and look, there’s a sweet scent that touched my lips, the dazzling love that always makes us laugh together.”

When we fall in love, there’s nothing that we need more than being together with the person we love. When we love someone, there’s nothing that we want more than expressing our love for that person. “I want to hold you in my heart, my precious person, I love you forever. I want to protect you with my heart, you are my one and only love.” When we fall in love, there’s nothing that could bring a peace more than looking at the smiling face of that person. When we love someone, there’s nothing that could bring a warm fuzzy feeling inside more than seeing through that person’s eyes that they feel the same. When we fall in love, there’s nothing better than knowing that we have someone whom we can hold the hands, to get through anything in life, together, as one, as always. “We only look at each other. We smile as we face each other. Tell me you love me for always. For always, let’s holding hands.”

Jung Dong Ha as of 2014 - source: allkpop.com

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a complete information about the Melody Project, so I can’t provide anything about who was producing this project and something like that. But I found that this project was divided into six parts; Meeting (Andante), Tingle (Moderato), Love (Allegro), Misunderstanding (Vivace), Farewell (Fermata), and Memories (Adagio). Every song was sung by different singers. Jung Dong Ha’s “Love Rain (Allegro)” features a soft and pleasant piano introduction, that followed by then-Boohwal’s-vocalist’s warm vocal. It’s a heartwarming track to be listened to during the rain. Indeed, Jung is never disappointing.

“Stay still and look, there’s a sweet scent that touched my lips, the dazzling love that always makes us laugh together.” –Jung Dong Ha, Love Rain (Allegro) [translated lyrics]

“Na du nuneul gamgo deureoyo gaseumsoge naerin sarang sorireul

(Close your eyes and listen to the sound of love inside your heart)

Pogeunhan geudae misoreul dalmeun love rain, love rain, love rain

(Resembling your cozy smile is the love rain, love rain, love rain)

Geudaereul neukkyeoboayo eokkae wiro seuchin ttaseuhan baram

(Feel the comfort and warm wind that passes over your shoulders)

Salmyeosi naui changgae buneun budeureoun sarangeul

(The soft love that blows softly through my window)

Nae gaseumeuro anajugo sipeo sojunghan nae sarama yeongwonhi saranghae

(I want to hold you in my heart, my precious person, I love you forever)

Nae gaseumeuro jikyeojugo sipeo hana dan hana nae sarang geudae

(I want to protect you with my heart, you are my one and only love)

Na gamanhi baraboayo nae ipsure daheun dalkomhan hyanggi

(Stay still and look, there’s a sweet scent that touched my lips)

Eonjena hamkke useul su inneun nuni busin sarangeul

(The dazzling love that always makes us laugh together)

Uri seoromaneul boayo majubomyeo useoyo saranghanda malhaeyo

(We only look at each other, we smile as we face each other, tell me you love me)

Eonjena eonjena uri du son jabayo

(For always, for always, let’s holding hands)”

Wrote by Mashita Fandia

Jo In Sung and Son Ye Jin in the movie "The Classic" (2003) - source: c.hancinema.net

It’s November rain! It’s the season of rain and my feeling is kind of bittersweet right now. Sweet, because I can enjoy the rain, which is one of the things that I love the most. Bitter, because I’ve been soaked in the rain for days and therefore I catch a flu right now. In order to pump up my mood, I recently listen to songs that are related to rain. And here, I will share my list of seven most captivating Korean songs of rain. All of these seven songs have the word “rain” in its title, and it sings about rain too. This list is purely based on my personal preferences. I recommend these songs to be listened to, and I hope all of you can enjoy listening to these songs as much as I do. Cheers and happy rainy days! ^^

7. Lee Moon Sae – In the Rain (빗속에서) (1985)

A classic hit by one of Korean legendary singers, Lee Moon Sae, titled “In the Rain (빗속에서)”, opens up this list on number seven. The pop-folk ballad song was first released in 1985 as the title song of Lee’s third studio album. The album was sold more than 1.5 million copies, which was a great achievement at that time, that made Lee was reckoned as a prominent ballad singer of the nation. “In the Rain (빗속에서)” is a kind of song that reminds us once and ever again that rain has its own magical power to hypnotize everyone. It tells about someone who reminisces his/her past lover while walking down the street on a rainy day. “In the raining street I think of you. The love that wasn’t meant to be, I think of it deep in my heart. I walk in the rain all day long and think of you. Did you have to leave my heart in the rain just like this?” As the body is getting drenched in raindrops, the heart is getting drenched in memories. This sad melancholic song depicts a painful memory of a farewell under the rainfall. “Who will wipe away my tears, these burning tears of mine? Of all the people that passing by, who will stand by my side?” You can read more review about this song in here.

6. B.A.P – Rain Sound (빗소리) (2013)

Next on the list, I have a track by the best absolute perfect boy group, B.A.P, titled “Rain Sound (빗소리)” on number six. The song was released on January 15th 2013, as a prologue single for their second mini album, titled “One Shot”, which was released on February 12th 2013. This song is a hip-hop R n’ B, with the fusion of acoustic and ballad, making it the first sentimental and melancholic song that B.A.P has ever released since their debut back in 2012. “Rain Sound (빗소리)” tells about someone who recalls his/her memories with his/her past lover during the rainfall in the middle of a sleepless night. “On this rainy night, I can’t fall asleep. This sound of the rain, is it your voice? Does this sound call to me? Am I the only one that thinking of you? Will this rain comfort me? Do you know how I feel? I keep thinking of you.” Perhaps rain is a magical time machine indeed. Whenever it rains, some deepest memories are falling down like the raindrops, they’re flooding out like the water. “Outside the window, the sound of the rain rings, I remember the memories of us. On rainy days like this, now I miss you and our kisses. Outside the window, the sound of the rain rings, I remember the memories of us. On rainy days like this, now I always run into you.” You can read more review about this song in here.

5. Beast – On Rainy Days (비가 오는 날엔) (2011)

Up on number five, here I have a hit from another Korean infamous boy group, Beast (also known as B2ST), titled “On Rainy Days (비가 오는 날엔)”. The song was released digitally on May 12th 2011 as a promotional single for their first studio album, “Fiction and Fact”. The album itself was later released on May 17th 2011. This ballad R n’ B song with a touch of soft hip-hop is written and composed by Choi Gyu Seong. “On Rainy Days (비가 오는 날엔)” tells about someone who’s haunted by his/her past memories with his/her beloved one whenever the rain falls. The rain has the power to bring someone into a certain memory in the past. It could trap them and they can’t get out of it. “When the world turns dark and the rain quietly falls, everything is still the same. Even today, without a doubt I can’t get out of it. I can’t get out from the thoughts of you.” Those haunting memories are coming along with the rain. However they’re disappeared along with the passing rain too. “On the rainy days you come and find me, torturing me through the night. When the rain starts to stop, you follow slowly, little by little, you will stop as well.” But the cycle keeps on going. And the rain keeps on coming. “Now I erase all of you. I empty out all of you. But when the rain falls again, all the memories of you that I hide with struggle, it all comes back, it must be searching for you.” You can read more review about this song in here.

4. Yoo Yeol – Autumn Rain (가을비) (1987)

One of Korean legendary singers, Yoo Yeol, is on number four with a song that’s been recognized as his megahit, “Autumn Rain (가을비)”. The ballad semi folk pop song was first released on June 25th 1987 as a part of Yoo’s first album, “1987”. The lyrics of this song were penned by the legendary Korean lyricist, the late Park Geon Ho, while the music was composed by Yoo Yeong Seok. “Autumn Rain (가을비)” is a song about someone who can’t help but being immersed in memories of a past lover on a rainy autumn day. “It’s raining now, it’s pouring down against the window. You who have left me, I wonder where you are and what you are doing, the person whom I long for. It was on a rainy autumn day, when you left me with tears in your eyes. I just watched your back as you were leaving, and decided to let you go instead of holding you back.” The worst part of a farewell is the emptiness that it left behind. The hardest part of a separation is the lingering memories that keeps haunting. Even after a long time has passed by, that feeling comes suddenly all over again everytime it rains. “A long time had gone by after that, and I still can’t get you out of my mind. Whenever I watch the raindrop falls, I’m crying once more. A long time had gone by after that, and I still can’t get you out of my mind. Whenever I watch the raindrop falls, I’m reminiscing those past days. A long time had gone by after that, I still can’t let go of our love. My wandering heart remembers the sound of your breath, I’m reminiscing those past days.” You can read more review about this song in here.

3. Lee Joon Gi – The Rain (Separation, You Win) (이별아...니가 이겼어) (2012)

For the opening of big three, I have a gorgeous Korean actor and singer, Lee Joon Gi (also known as Lee Jun Ki), with his song titled “The Rain (Separation, You Win) (이별아...니가 이겼어)”. “The Rain” is used as its English title, while “Separation, You Win (이별아...니가 이겼어)” is used as the Korean title. The song was released as a part of Lee’s comeback mini album after finishing his military duty, “Deucer”, on April 25th 2012. Before that, the limited edition of this album was released on March 16th 2012 and had been heavily promoted in Japan, a country with a large number of Lee’s fanbase. “The Rain” is a song about separation that happens when the rain falls. “Hidden by the raindrops, you probably couldn’t see my tears. So that your memory could only remember my wet and smiling face, I have to keep smiling until you turn your back away from me. I wonder if this pouring rain would wash away the time we’ve shared together.” That cold separation remains in our mind forever, because that separation has finally won over our loves, our loves that we even keep fighting for until the very last time.Relationship was a battlefield between love and loathe, between stay together and to be separated. On that rainy day, so sad but true, the separation was finally winning. “’I love you,’ three words that I can’t say anymore from now on. ‘I need you,’ three words that I need no more, but will haunt in my painful memories. There’s no other in this world who could love you like I did, but my love had grown cold and silent. Separation, you have won over me. I’m standing in the rain.” You can read more review about this song in here.

2. CNBLUE – Love Follows the Rain (사랑은 비를 타고) (2011)

Up on the runner up position of this list, here I have the infamous Korean band, CNBLUE, with their song titled “Love Follows the Rain (사랑은 비를 타고)” (also known as “Love in the Rain”). This pop-rock ballad song was released as a part of their first studio album, “First Step”, on March 21st 2011. Unlike many of CNBLUE’s hits, this song is mostly sung by the second main vocal of the band, Lee Jong Hyun, who also wrote the lyrics and arranged the music along with composer Han Seong Ho and Han Seung Hun. “Love Follows the Rain (사랑은 비를 타고)” is a song about love, memories, rain, and everything in between. “Look at the raindrop falling down the window, I think of you whom I’ve hidden away. With these tears falling down in my heart, I try to erase you away. You hear this sound, right? You, who used to love the rain, do you still remember me? When it rains, I yearn for you.” Every time it rains, the memories of our past love falling down as the raindrops fall. As the rain pouring down, our heart and tears reminisce those times that we spent with them. It makes us wonder, do they still remember us, just like we remember them now? Do they watch the rain too, and feel the same like we feel right now? Do they hear the sound of the raindrops too, and think about the same thing that we do now? “Hope you’re happy anywhere you are, hope you’re smiling anywhere you are. Hope that you’ll never get through a sad love that resembles the rain. Just don’t forget this, that I want to love you. Following the rain, this feeling will fall next to you. Love falls down with the rain, memories flow with the rain. I think of you again with the sound of the rain. Tears fall down with the rain, my remembrance flows with the rain. Following the rain, you leave after damping my hardened heart.” The rain could bring up a blue feeling, and so our love now, it’s sad blue, resembling the rain. In the end, wherever they are, we could only hope that they do well and happy. Through the rain, we send our wishes to them. Our loves will forever follow the rain. You can read more review about this song in here.

1. Kim Hyun Sik – Like Rain, Like Music (비처럼 음악처럼) (1986)

And now we finally reach the number one position. At the top of this list I have a Korean classic hit titled “Like Rain, Like Music (비처럼 음악처럼)” by a legendary Korean singer, the late Kim Hyun Sik. This immortal song was first released on December 5th 1986 as a part of Kim’s third studio album, “III”. The album was listed at number 13 on South Korea’s All Time 100 Greatest Albums. Just like the rain and the music within, this rock ballad song somehow has a magical force that could draw people in it. Indeed, rain has its own magical power. An endless charm that could brings up memories within. A painful yet beautiful sense of lingering feeling that could make people reminiscing the past. “When the rain falls and the music flows, I think of you. The night that you left, it was raining like today.” It’s a song about memories; a deep memory of someone who left when it was raining; a memory that keeps coming back alive whenever it’s raining. It’s too painful yet beautiful to be forgotten. “Again, I stand in the rain today and let the day passes by. Our love story is like a music with beautiful melody that comes with pain, just like the rain.” I love this song so much. Somehow, listening to this song could bring a kind of solemn feeling inside my heart. If my all time favorite Western song is Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain”, then my all time favorite Korean song is Kim Hyun Sik’s “Like Rain, Like Music (비처럼 음악처럼)”. You can read more review about this song in here.

Wrote by Mashita Fandia

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