AWAKEN by STRAY KIDS Lyrics Meaning – The Journey of Self-Discovery in K-Pop
Lyrics
처음으로 나를 봤었어
너는 누구야 질문을 던졌어
Wake up
I wake up 낯선 이 순간
여긴 어딜까 난 누굴까
Awaken 눈물이 난다
그동안 난 누구였던 걸까
벼락 맞은 듯이 온몸에 전율이 돋았지
하나 둘씩 스쳐 가는 낯선 느낌 그동안 몰랐지
나는 난데 나는 난데 나는 난데
나는 난데 뭐가 문제
이럼 안 돼 이럼 안 되는데
이건 뭔데 대체 누군데
어딜 가도 넌 숨기만 하고 ey
따라가도 더 빨리 도망가고 what
곤란함 풀지를 몰라 혼란만 커지는 혼란
내가 내가 아닌 것 같다는 걸 깨달아 내 안의 소란
아무런 생각 없이 지내던 때가
두려워져 머릿속에 울리는 목소리
Wake up
I wake up 낯선 이 순간
여긴 어딜까 난 누굴까
Awaken 눈물이 난다
그동안 난 누구였던 걸까
Oh
내가 내가 아냐
Oh
내 자신을 깨야 해
Awaken 눈물이 난다
그동안 난 누구였던 걸까
눈 가리고 또 뭐 안 보여도
내가 깨어있다는 사실에 더 무서우니까 uh
내가 누구지 라는 고민만 커져가 like a virus
나만이 걷던 길에 두려움에 날 타일러 살려줘
Woo 매일 매일 같은 삶에 지쳐가
Woo 같은 사고방식 갖고 가던 날
힘만 들고 답답했어 기도해 간절히
바라고 바랐던 awaken 내 손잡아주길
아무런 생각 없이 지내던 때가
두려워져 머릿속에 울리는 목소리
Wake up
I wake up 낯선 이 순간
여긴 어딜까 난 누굴까
Awaken 눈물이 난다
그동안 난 누구였던 걸까
Oh
내가 내가 아냐
Oh
내 자신을 깨야 해
Awaken 눈물이 난다
그동안 난 누구였던 걸까
하루하루 두려워져
누군가가 대답해줘
잠에서 깨어 눈을 뜨고 보니
머릿속 깊이 어지러운 느낌
하루하루 두려워져
누군가가 대답해줘
언제나 의문점만 가득한 내 해답엔 말해 뭐해 답이 없네
눈을 뜨고 다시 나를 봐도
매일 같은 대답에 난 말이 없네 ah
Wake up
Oh
내가 내가 아냐
Oh
내 자신을 깨야 해
Awaken 눈물이 난다
그동안 난 누구였던 걸까
Oh
내가 내가 아냐
Oh
내 자신을 깨야 해
Awaken 눈물이 난다
그동안 난 누구였던 걸까 (wake up)
In the labyrinthine corridors of K-pop, with its bombastic beats and razor-sharp choreography, there exists a deeper narrative that often goes unnoticed. Stray Kids, a group known for its complex storytelling and emotionally-fueled lyrics, has cast a riveting spell with their track ‘AWAKEN’. Beneath the pulsating rhythms and catchy melodies lies a quest—a quest that is as profound as it is relatable. It’s the search for self, the unravelling layers of identity, and the courage to confront the man in the mirror.
‘AWAKEN’ isn’t just a song; it’s an odyssey wrapped in metaphors, a journey through the psyche of youth that stands at the precipice of their future. Stray Kids delve deep, open the curtains on existential quandaries and dare to ask questions that resonate with anyone at a crossroads. Who am I? What is my purpose? Their lyrical prowess doesn’t just make you listen—it makes you feel, think, and, perhaps, awaken.
The Clashing Chorus: An Alarm for the Soul
From the opening lines, ‘AWAKEN’ serves as a wake-up call—a disruptive alarm aimed at the soul. The disquiet within sets a stage that something is amiss, and it propels the listener into the psyche of the song’s protagonist. This disruption, the bolt of lightning that courses through one’s veins, symbolizes that stifling moment of clarity when one becomes acutely aware of their own dissonance.
The chorus acts as an anchor throughout the song: ‘Wake up, I wake up’ cutting through the mist of complacency. The repetition signifies the relentless nature of self-awareness, how it beckons unceremoniously, challenging us to rise from the sedation of ignorance. It’s as if each ‘wake up’ is another layer peeled back, another veil lifted from the eyes of the once-slumbering self.
Grappling with the Inner Stranger: Identity in Crisis
The core of ‘AWAKEN’ is a dialogue with an estranged part of one’s identity. It confronts the uncomfortable truth of not recognizing oneself—questioning the face in the mirror with ‘Who are you?’ This internal conversation represents the most human of struggles, for identity is an ever-evolving construct, a puzzle consistently redefined and reassessed.
The song’s poignant inquiry into the nature of self unfolds against the backdrop of existential angst. Stray Kids doesn’t shy away from depicting the turmoil that often accompanies periods of change or growth. As the lyrics spiral through introspection and vulnerability, they unfurl a necessary narrative: that coming to terms with who you are is as complex and tumultuous as it is liberating.
The Cry of Awakening: An Emergence of Tears
Tears, in their universal language, denote both sorrow and relief, and ‘AWAKEN’ acknowledges them as the watershed of acceptance. There is a liberating motif within the track—the tears that fall are not just of frustration but of realization. Stray Kids capture the pivotal moment when facing the ambiguity of oneself moves from fear to an embrace.
Stray Kids lyrically mirror the journey from numbness to the fear of consciousness. When they belt out ‘Awaken, 눈물이 난다’ (Tears fall as I awaken), it is a signifier of the overwhelming rush of emotions that come with facing one’s truth. It symbolizes the birth pains of a new consciousness, the raw and unfiltered response to the dawning of understanding about their place and purpose.
Peeling back the Layers: The Song’s Hidden Essence
Beyond its stirring beat, ‘AWAKEN’ encapsulates a hidden essence—a labyrinthine journey through the subconscious. It’s not just about the reveal, the dramatic unfurling of one’s true self, but the process of getting there. The song touches on fears and resistance, the way the self attempts to elude the truth, ‘어딜 가도 넌 숨기만 하고’ (Wherever you go, you only hide), revealing the escapism inherent in human nature.
As the narrative progresses, we’re introduced to an almost paradoxical notion, ‘눈 가리고 또 뭐 안 보여도, 내가 깨어있다는 사실에 더 무서우니까’ (Even if I cover my eyes and can’t see anything, the fact that I am awake scares me more). It’s the realization that sometimes, ignorance isn’t bliss—awakening, even with its burdens, is a far truer existence.
Echoing Through Memory: The Song’s Unforgettable Lines
‘나는 난데 뭐가 문제’ (I am but what is the problem), the line read like a siren’s call amidst the song’s structure. It’s both an acknowledgment of the enigma and a subtle defiance against it. This line captures the essence of youth—confused yet confrontational, seeking answers while still in the throes of the questions.
Another line that haunts the consciousness of listeners is ‘내 자신을 깨야 해’ (I have to wake myself up). It is here that Stray Kids invite us all into the narrative—they aren’t just speaking to themselves; they’re speaking to every listener. This isn’t just their awakening; it’s an invitation to our own. With this line, ‘AWAKEN’ transcends; it becomes an anthem for introspection and the universal pursuit of self-truth.
