April 21, 2023, marked the first time I heard this song, and I haven't stopped listening to it since. It’s become a constant in my everyday playlist.
In 2023, I was still relatively new to learning Korean. Despite studying the language for about a year or so by then, I still had a long way to go. But when I first heard this song upon its release, I stopped everything I was doing and gave it my full attention. Without realizing it, my shoulders dropped, and I learned to pause—something I rarely do in the rush of daily life, juggling multiple tasks at once.
Then came the line ‘다 괜찮아질 거야,’ which translates to ‘everything will be okay’—a simple yet profound affirmation that stayed with me. While I couldn’t fully grasp all the Korean words the first time I heard the song, this phrase was crystal clear, and its repetition—16 times—made it impossible to ignore. It's the perfect affirmation for life, no matter what you're going through, especially when it’s the voice of Agust D (aka SUGA of BTS).
Even today, as I listen to this song—often attempting to sing along in my broken Korean—whenever the ‘다 괜찮아질 거야’ verse comes on, my hands automatically find their way to lock themselves on my heart, allowing me a few seconds to pause. Throughout the year, those few seconds have brought me to tears, made me smile uncontrollably, and calmed my chaotic mind. I always know, in those moments, that everything will eventually be okay—that I'll be okay. Sometimes, that's all the reminder you need.
The impact of this song has been so profound that when I visited Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan on April 21, 2024, the one-year anniversary of this song’s release, I got its message engraved on a ring, and I haven’t taken it off since. Now, in addition to the song, the ring serves as a physical reminder that it’ll all be okay.
The release of this song (and the entire album) came at a time when I was navigating something extremely heavy on a personal level. Without realizing it, it became my safe space.
On the morning of the release day, I listened to the entire album, and throughout the day, it played on repeat. To end my day, I watched SUGA: Road To D-Day, which was also released on the same day. One part of the documentary stands out: SUGA had the chance to meet his mentor, the person who sparked his early interest in music—Ryuichi Sakamoto in Japan. SUGA played an earlier draft of this song for him and shared that he wrote it to offer comfort to his juniors in the industry during tough times. He hoped the song would also reach others who are going through challenges, and that's when Sakamoto pointed out something profound—that this song could also offer SUGA comfort when he needs it.
As an ARMY, I’ve been fortunate to witness the journey of the Bangtan members and how they consistently share their stories through their music—whether through group albums or solo works. Storytelling, in any form of creative venture, can sometimes just be an outlet to share what you want to share, but more often than not, it leads to catharsis. And there are certain creative pieces that provide you with comfort every time you return to them or even stumble upon them by chance. I hope this song continues to offer that comfort to SUGA, just as it has for me.
WOOSUNG’s verses and melody add to the song in the most beautiful way. His chorus creates a perfect healing melody, something he does beautifully in both The Rose and his solo works.
Honestly speaking, when I first saw the D-Day tracklist and saw that Snooze featured WOOSUNG and Ryuichi Sakamoto, it felt like a crossover of my favorite melodious worlds. And it truly was.
Some of the favorite lyrics and their translations
나를 보며 꿈을 꾸고 있는 당신의 등 뒤엔
항상 내가 있으니 너무 걱정은 말어
추락이 두렵다면 기꺼이 받아줄게
translation:
You, who's dreaming while looking at me
I'm always here behind you, so don't worry too much
If you're afraid to crash, I'll willingly receive you
당신들의 꿈들이 꿈들로만 남지 않길 (남지 않길)
언제 어디서든 나 당신들을 응원할게 (Dream)
translation:
I hope your dream won't just be left as a dream
I'll cheer you on anytime, anywhere (Dream)
Dream,그대의 창조와 삶의 끝에 함께 하길
Dream, 그대의 자리가 어딜지라도 관대하길
Dream, 결국 시련의 끝에 만개하길
Dream, 시작은 미약할지언정 끝은 창대하리
Dream
translation:
Dream, I will be there for your creation until the end of your life
Dream, wherever you might be it will be lenient
Dream, you will fully bloom after all the hardships
Dream, your beginnings will seem humble so prosperous will your future be
Dream
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