A Korean ballad that looks back on youthful romance with both fondness and regret.
Most nostalgia songs either romanticize the past or dismiss it.
This one sits in the uncomfortable middle, where memory isn't reliable enough to judge.
Lyric guide
When I Was Young
A Korean ballad that looks back on youthful romance with both fondness and regret.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Quick meaning
A fast read before the full lyric
Editor's note
TAEYEON's When I Was Young remembers simpler love
A Korean ballad that looks back on youthful romance with both fondness and regret.
When I was a fool
Most nostalgia songs either romanticize the past or dismiss it. This one sits in the uncomfortable middle, where memory isn't reliable enough to judge. The lyric doesn't decide whether things were better then; it just holds the question open.
"When I was a fool" carries the whole weight. She's not calling herself stupid, exactly, more like someone who didn't know any better, who believed love could be simple. 'Jeongmal amudo moreugo geudaeman al ttae', back when I really didn't know anything, when I only knew you. That's the pressure those words answer: the longing for a time before complications set in.
It's a plain admission that cuts through the usual romantic glaze. She's naming that specific kind of innocence that only exists before experience teaches you what heartbreak costs.
The way her voice lifts slightly on 'nail ttae', that moment, gives the recollection a fragile, almost hesitant quality.
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Listen for
What to keep in your ear
the pull of "When I was a fool"
the pull of "Jeongmal amudo moreugo geudaeman al ttae"
the pull of "nail ttae"
Lyrics
When I Was Young
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
woah babe ooh
ije eojjeojyo nan andwaeyo
amuri bulleodo doraojil ana
hokshi geuttae jinjak uri meomchwotdeoramyeon
deo joasseuljido molla gieokhanayo
When I, when I was young geuttae
naega geudaego geudaega nail ttae
When I, when I was a fool jeongmal
amudo moreugo geudaeman al ttae
eottaetnayo gwaenchanatnayo
mitgiji anchyo majimagirae
uri nanun maldeul jiwojiji ana
hokshi geuttae seoro manhi aratdeoramyeon
deo joasseuljido molla
When I, when I was young geuttae
naega geudaego geudaega nail ttae
When I, when I was a fool jeongmal
amudo moreugo geudaeman al ttae
eottaetnayo gieokhanayo
manhi eoryeosseotjanayo uri seotulleotjanayo
ajik eoje ilman gata ooh
manhi himdeureotnayo naega geudaego
geudaedo nail ttae uri hanail ttae ooh
When I, when I was young geuttae
naega geudaego geudaega nail ttae
When I, when I was a fool jeongmal
geudaeman baraetdeon geureon nayeosseul ttae
eottaetnayo gieokhaejwoyo
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
What is "When I Was Young" by TAEYEON about?
A Korean ballad that looks back on youthful romance with both fondness and regret. Most nostalgia songs either romanticize the past or dismiss it. This one sits in the uncomfortable middle, where memory isn't reliable enough to judge.
Who performs "When I Was Young"?
TAEYEON performs "When I Was Young", and this lyric page sits inside the TAEYEON catalog on LyroVerse.
Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for "When I Was Young"?
Yes. The page carries the LyroVerse editor's note "TAEYEON's When I Was Young remembers simpler love", followed by the full lyric and related songs.
Are there related songs to explore after "When I Was Young"?
Yes. The related section below points to Rescue Me and Do You Love Me? with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by TAEYEON?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through TAEYEON's lyric pages.
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