Shadow by Seventeen Lyrics Meaning – Embracing the Inescapable Duality Within Us
Lyrics
빛의 반대편 그늘진 모든 게 싫어서 (oh wuh)
걸음걸이마다 따라와서 시선은 항상 그곳에 있어
도망치는 내 모습이 너무 싫었어 (oh wuh)
어느새 우린 닮아가고 있었어
마치 데칼코마니인 것처럼
너와 마주 하고 싶은 맘에
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
널 남에게 보이지 않으려
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
미워하고 아파도 했어
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
Oh 이제 난 알아 너 또한 나인걸
숨기고 싶지 않아 I want to hold your hand
나의 어두움마저 밝게 빛나고 말 테니까
Baby, I’m a shadow of you
달렸어 네게서 도망치려
숨었어 빛이 없는 곳으로
도망치는 마음으로 나는 run, run, run, whoa
숨소리마저 똑같아서 내 마음이 널 듣고 싶어 해
도망치는 내 모습이 너무 싫었어 (oh wuh)
어느새 우린 닮아가고 있었어
마치 데칼코마니인 것처럼
너와 마주 하고 싶은 맘에
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
널 남에게 보이지 않으려
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
미워하고 아파도 했어
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
Oh 이제 난 알아 너 또한 나인걸
숨기고 싶지 않아 I want to hold your hand
나의 어두움마저 밝게 빛나고 말 테니까
Baby I’m a shadow of you
Stay with me 어느 순간에도
같은 빛 같은 그림자 되어
어느 곳에서도 너를 안고
검은색 칠해진 널 외면하기만 했어
서로의 똑같은 모습을 잠시 잊은 채로
부정하기 바빴었던 어제
드넓은 지구 한가운데
우리의 관계는 유일해
같은 발맞춰 달려 everywhere
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
널 남에게 보이지 않으려
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
미워하고 아파도 했어
Shadow my, shadow my, shadow
Oh 이제 난 알아 너 또한 나인걸
숨기고 싶지 않아 I want to hold your hand
나의 어두움마저 밝게 빛나고 말 테니까
Baby, I’m a shadow of you
Seventeen, the dynamic South Korean boy band known for their nuanced storytelling through music, returns with a poignant exploration of self-reflection and identity in their track ‘Shadow.’ The song emerges not only as a poetic narrative but also as a canvas upon which the listener is invited to project their own struggles with the darker aspects of their psyche.
The deeply metaphorical lyrics of ‘Shadow’ journey through the dance of avoidance and acceptance, delving into the theme that within each of us lies a shadow—a reflection we often wish to escape but ultimately must come to terms with. Let us peel back the layers of this heartfelt track and discover the profound contemplations hidden beneath its melodious surface.
Dawn’s Reluctance: A Desire to Remain in the Dark
The opening lines of ‘Shadow’ set the stage for a narrative steeped in reluctance: ‘저 멀리 뜨거운 해 떠오르지 않길 원했어 (oh wuh).’ The protagonist expresses a wish against the rising sun, a powerful metaphor for remaining shrouded in darkness. It’s here where the lyrical journey begins, with an aversion to the light, which traditionally symbolizes truth and revelation.
The shadow represents the undesirable, often repressed aspects of oneself that are easier to ignore than to confront. The song wrestles with the discomfort of exposure—preferring the obscurity of darkness to the vulnerability that comes with stepping into the light (빛의 반대편 그늘진 모든 게 싫어서 [oh wuh]).
Relentlessly Pursued: A Dance with One’s Own Shadow
Through a vivid depiction of the shadow as a constant, inescapable presence (‘걸음걸이마다 따라와서 시선은 항상 그곳에 있어’), Seventeen touches on the universal experience of being followed by one’s insecurities and darker thoughts. Much like a shadow that stretches and shrinks but never leaves your side, these aspects of self are constant companions along life’s journey.
The notion of disliking one’s reflection (‘도망치는 내 모습이 너무 싫었어’) speaks to a deeper self-aversion, one where the individual wishes to run from the very essence that constitutes them. The song captures the futility and exhaustion inherent in trying to outpace one’s metaphorical shadow.
The Inevitable Realization: Confronting the Mirror Image
A moment of transformative revelation unfolds as the lyrics weave into acknowledging the shadow as a part of the self (‘어느새 우린 닮아가고 있었어’). Seventeen artfully employs the imagery of a ‘데칼코마니’—a symmetrical folding, likening the shadow to a mirror image that one cannot help but gradually resemble.
Desire to embrace the shadow (‘너와 마주 하고 싶은 맘에’) transforms the narrative into one of acceptance. It’s a poignant acceptance that one’s imperfections and inner darkness are not to be shunned but acknowledged and held closely, much like taking the hand of a once feared stranger.
Sonic and Lyrical Symmetry: The Harmonizing Chorus
The repetitive cadence and echoing chorus in ‘Shadow my, shadow my, shadow’ serve as an auditory reflection of the song’s theme of symmetry and duality. As the lyrics oscillate between fear and acceptance, the melody grounds the listening experience, embodying the spectral dance between the self and its shadow.
The paradoxical act of both holding onto and despising the shadow (‘미워하고 아파도 했어’) underscores the song’s overarching message: the path toward self-acceptance is fraught with discomfort but necessary for inner harmony. Such powerful, repetitive lines sear the core message into the listener’s heart.
The Transformation of Darkness: A Beacon of Self-Compassion
In its closing act, ‘Shadow’ turns towards a declaration of embrace—radiating a newfound perspective where once there was fear (‘나의 어두움마저 밝게 빛나고 말 테니까’). Seventeen propels the narrative towards the notion that even the darkest parts of ourselves can shine brightly when met with understanding and self-love.
Acknowledging the shadow as an integral component of one’s identity (‘Baby, I’m a shadow of you’) speaks to the maturation of the protagonist. It represents the transition from a dichotomous battle against oneself to a holistic unity, where the shadow is not just a tag-along but a significant, illuminating part of who we are.
