슬퍼도 사랑이던 (It was love even if it was sad)

Song Meaning

These lyrics paint a vivid picture of a breakup, but one notably devoid of anger. Instead, the narrator actively tries to remember the "truly happy days" that now remain, even as the other person has departed. It's a poignant attempt to frame a painful past with gratitude. The central tension lies in the paradox of profound sorrow coexisting with cherished memories. The narrator admits the pain is "too painful I can't experience it again," yet still refers to that time as when they were "lovers." This isn't a simple lament; it's a conscious decision to hold onto the love, even if it was sad, rather than letting the sadness overshadow everything. The craft here is subtle yet powerful, particularly in how memories manifest. "Even the smallest things hide in longing and secretly flow onto my lips," the lyrics suggest, portraying grief not as a dramatic outburst but as a quiet, involuntary physical expression. This imagery of memories "flowing" or being "picked up and put away" speaks to an intimate, internalized process of coping. Ultimately, what makes these lyrics so effective is the profound shift in the bridge. The departed isn't truly gone; "rather, you forever remain within my smile." This transforms the sorrow of loss into a quiet, enduring presence. The love, even if it was sad, isn't lost but has been internalized, becoming a permanent, bittersweet part of the narrator's very being.