운명(FATE) – COOL
🌟 Introduction
In 1996, COOL (쿨) released “운명 (Fate)”, which became one of their biggest hits and a signature summer love anthem of 90s Korea.
With its gentle melody, bittersweet lyrics, and smooth male-female vocal blend, the song captured the emotions of youthful romance.
It cemented COOL’s reputation as the ultimate summer group of the 1990s.
👥 Artist & Song Background
- COOL debuted in 1994 as a co-ed trio, a rarity in the idol scene.
- Members: Kim Sung-soo (김성수) – rap/vocals, Lee Jae-hoon (이재훈) – main vocal, Yuri (유리) – female vocal.
- Their concept focused on bright, easy-listening dance-pop and romantic ballads, often released during summer.
Fate is one of their most beloved ballads, showcasing their softer, emotional side.
📖 M/V & Lyrics
| Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro! 어느 날 우연히 그 사람 본 순간 다리에 힘이 풀려 주저앉고 말았지 그토록 애가 타게 찾아 헤맨 나의 이상형 One, Two, Three, Four! 왜 하필 이제야 내 앞에 나타나게 된 거야 어 그토록 애타게 찾아 헤맬 때는 없더니 어디서 무얼 했어 혼자가 힘들어 곁에 있던 여자 친구가 하 이제는 사랑이 돼버렸잖아 운명 같은 여잘 만나서 이젠 나를 떠나가라고 그녀에게 말해 버리면 보나 마나 망가질 텐데 그렇다고 그 애 때문에 그녈 다시 볼 수 없게 돼버리면 나도 역시 망가질 건 뻔한데 이야이야이야이야 정말 답답해 짜증이나 어떡해야 해 (빠빠이야) 둘 다 내 곁에 있을 수는 없는 거잖아 (얼룩 얼룩 얼룩 얼룩) 정말 화가나 그 누구도 버릴 순 없어 차라리 이럴 땐 남자가 되고 싶어 (빠빠 이야이야) Uno… Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro! 나도 아 햄릿처럼 지금 죽는 거냐 사는 거냐 그것이 문제라면 차라리 나을지 몰라 一、二、三、四！ (이, 얼, 산, 쓰!) 세상에 누구도 나보다 바쁜 사람 없을걸 동시에 두 여자 만난다는 것이 이렇게 힘든 줄 몰랐었어 어쨌든 그때는 여자 복이 터진 것처럼 행복한 나날을 보냈던 거야 한번 봤던 영화 또 보고 했던 얘기 다시 또 하고 저녁 식사 두 번 했더니 왜 그렇게 헷갈리던지 같은 편지 적어 보냈지 며칠 후에 날벼락이 떨어졌어 겉과 속에 이름 틀렸었나 봐 이야이야이야이야 정말 답답해 짜증이나 어떡해야 해 (빠빠이야) 둘 다 똑같이 사랑할 순 없는 거잖아 (얼룩 얼룩 얼룩 얼룩) 정말 이러다 둘 다 모두 놓칠 것 같아 차라리 이럴 땐 남자가 되고 싶어 (빠빠 이야이야) | Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro! One day, by chance, the moment I saw her, my legs went weak and I just collapsed. She was the ideal girl I had been desperately searching for. One, Two, Three, Four! But why, of all times, did she have to appear now? When I was wandering around longing to find her, she wasn’t there at all. Where were you, what were you doing? Being alone was hard, so the girl who stayed by my side ended up becoming someone I love. If I tell her that I’ve met someone who feels like destiny and that she should leave me now, she’ll surely be devastated. But if I give her up because of this new girl and lose the chance to see her again, I’ll end up broken too. I’m so frustrated, I’m so annoyed— what should I do? (Bba-bba-iya) There’s no way I can keep both of them by my side. (Eol-luk eol-luk eol-luk eol-luk) I’m so angry, but I can’t throw either of them away. At times like this I wish I could just become two men. (Bba-bba iya-iya) Uno… Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro! Like Hamlet, “to be or not to be”— if that’s the question, maybe it’d be easier to just disappear. 一、二、三、四! (I, eol, san, sseu!) There’s probably no one busier than me in the whole world. I never knew dating two girls at the same time would be this hard. At first it felt like I’d hit the jackpot in love— I was spending such happy days. But watching the same movie twice, having the same conversation again, and eating dinner twice every night left me completely confused. I even sent the same letter to both… and then a few days later, lightning struck— I think I mixed up the names inside and out. I’m so frustrated, I’m so annoyed— what should I do? (Bba-bba-iya) I can’t possibly love both of them the same. (Eol-luk eol-luk eol-luk eol-luk) At this rate, I feel like I’ll lose them both. At times like this I wish I could just become two men. (Bba-bba iya-iya) |
The lyrics portray a heartfelt confession about destined love and lingering feelings.
🌍 Why It Matters
- Fate became one of the most iconic co-ed ballads of the 90s.
- It showed that K-pop groups could succeed with gentle, emotional songs, not just dance anthems.
- The song helped establish COOL as the top summer group in Korea, leading to many more seasonal hits.
🎤 Fun Facts
- COOL’s albums were often released just before summer, earning them the nickname “Summer Kings.”
- Fate is still a popular karaoke song among 90s K-pop fans.
- The group is one of the longest-running co-ed groups in Korea, active on and off to this day.
Fate remains a timeless classic of 90s K-pop,
reminding listeners of first love, gentle summer nights, and the magic of destiny.
👉 What’s your favorite COOL song — Fate or their upbeat Woman of the Beach?
Tell us in the comments!
