My sea by IU Lyrics Meaning – Diving Deep into the Soul-Stirring Depths of Self-Reflection

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for IU's My sea at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

그러나 시간이 지나도
아물지 않는 일들이 있지
내가 날 온전히 사랑하지 못해서
맘이 가난한 밤이야

거울 속에 마주친 얼굴이 어색해서
습관처럼 조용히 눈을 감아
밤이 되면 서둘러 내일로 가고 싶어
수많은 소원 아래 매일 다른 꿈을 꾸던

아이는 그렇게 오랜 시간
겨우 내가 되려고 아팠던 걸까
쌓이는 하루만큼 더 멀어져
우리는 화해할 수 없을 것 같아
나아지지 않을 것 같아

어린 날 내 맘엔 영원히
가물지 않는 바다가 있었지
이제는 흔적만이 남아 희미한 그곳엔

설렘으로 차오르던 나의 숨소리와
머리 위로 선선히 부는 바람
파도가 되어 어디로든 달려가고 싶어
작은 두려움 아래 천천히 두 눈을 뜨면

세상은 그렇게 모든 순간
내게로 와 눈부신 선물이 되고
숱하게 의심하던 나는 그제야
나에게 대답할 수 있을 것 같아

선 너머에 기억이
나를 부르고 있어
아주 오랜 시간 동안
잊고 있던 목소리에

물결을 거슬러 나 돌아가
내 안의 바다가 태어난 곳으로

휩쓸려 길을 잃어도 자유로와
더이상 날 가두는 어둠에 눈 감지 않아

두번 다시
날 모른척 하지 않아 ooh, ooh

그럼에도 여전히 가끔은
삶에게 지는 날들도 있겠지
또다시 헤매일지라도
돌아오는 길을 알아

IU, South Korea’s cherished singer-songwriter, is synonymous with rich storytelling and the ability to distill complex emotions into mellifluous melodies. Her song ‘My sea’ is a profound testament to this skill, a gripping narrative of personal growth, pain, and the pursuit of self-love. With instrumental tides that tug at the heartstrings and lyrical waves that crash into the soul, ‘My sea’ demands a lens of introspection and empathy to truly decode its layered message.

On the surface, ‘My sea’ may resonate as a serenade to the youthful innocence lost to the ebb and flow of time. However, upon a deeper listen, the undercurrents of the song reveal a nuanced tale of inner conflict and the eventual journey towards accepting one’s own turbulent emotional depths. IU’s siren-like voice captivates listeners, invoking the sense of a personal odyssey that mirrors the collective human experience.

The Gaze into the Inner Abyss: Love and Acceptance in Defiance of Time

IU starts off with a poignant note that some wounds remain unhealed by time, hinting at scarring experiences or inner demons that defy temporal remedies. It’s a stark admission that even as years pass, complete self-love remains an elusive treasure. The concept that some nights feel impoverished due to a lack of self-love opens an introspective dialogue about the notions of emotional wealth and inner harmony.

Facing oneself in the mirror becomes a challenge, the reflection oddly unfamiliar—a metaphor reflecting the distance one can feel from their own being. IU’s words allude to the coping mechanisms we employ, like avoiding our reflection, rushing towards tomorrow, placing hope in change, yet somehow always feeling out of sync with our own selves.

A Childhood Sea: The Emotional Reservoir of Innocence and Dreams

IU’s verse transitions to a past where an eternal sea resided within her heart. This imagery speaks to the limitless potential and buoyancy of youth, a period brimming with vivacity, not yet sullied by life’s relentless tides. The song captures how this perennial sea has now faded to but faint traces, implying a loss of that infinite hope and wonder that once filled her to the brim.

But there’s nostalgia too, in remembering the joy and the freedom felt when immersed in the dreams and aspirations of younger days. IU’s vocals effortlessly transport us to a time when the world appeared as endless opportunities, gently beckoning the possibility of rekindling that fierce and uninhibited spirit.

The Illuminating Gifts of the Present: Accepting the Moving Sands of Self

As the song progresses, IU addresses the change of perspective that every dawn brings—a clarity that each day is indeed a shimmering gift to be embraced. This shift signifies an acceptance and an understanding that might have been clouded by doubts and perpetual self-questioning. The chorus resonates with an epiphany, a moment of peaceful clarity amid the ongoing storm that rages within.

Acknowledging the beauty of the present, IU reflects a sentiment that life, despite its trials and traumas, can be wondrous. When one starts to accept their flaws and the multitude of selves they encompass, answering those deep-seated questions becomes a journey toward enlightenment and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Siren Calls from Beyond the Horizon: The Hidden Meaning Behind the Waves

The lyric ‘선 너머에 기억이 나를 부르고 있어’ (‘Memories beyond the line are calling me’) suggests a voyage towards an ancient call—perhaps the call of one’s origin or true self. IU hints at a transcendental experience of going against the current, returning to the very inception of her ‘sea,’ the core of her identity.

This is not just about revisiting the past; it’s about reconciliation with the ‘sea’ within—a union with the deep and often overwhelming emotions and memories that constitute her essence. The song navigates the intricate relationship between one’s evolution and the perpetual quest to remember and understand one’s initial untarnished self.

Memorable Lines: A Beacon toward Self-emancipation

‘휩쓸려 길을 잃어도 자유로와 더이상 날 가두는 어둠에 눈 감지 않아’ (‘Even if swept away and losing my way, I become free; No longer will I close my eyes to the darkness that imprisons me’). IU’s words ring with resolve, embodying the liberation that comes from conquering internal turmoil, an anthem for anyone struggling with self-doubt and fear.

The declaration of never again pretending not to know herself underscores a promise—a promise of self-recognition that defies any external force or internal uncertainty. IU’s lyrical masterpiece doesn’t just inspire; it assures us of the light that awaits beyond the shadowy veil of our own insecurities.