천생연분 – 솔리드 (Solid)
🌟 Introduction
In 1995, Solid (솔리드) released “천생연분 (SoulMate)” as part of their third album “Light Camera Action!”
The song fused R&B grooves, smooth vocals, and modern rap, marking a turning point in the Korean music scene.
At a time when ballads and dance pop dominated, SoulMate introduced a new urban sound that reshaped Korean pop for years to come.
👥 Artist & Song Background
- 솔리드 (Solid): A trio consisting of 김조한 (John Kim), 정재윤, 이준.
- Active years: 1993–1997, regarded as Korea’s pioneering R&B group.
- SoulMate was one of their most popular tracks, earning massive radio play and chart success.
Their unique sound set the stage for later K-R&B and hip-hop artists in the late 90s and 2000s.
📖 M/V & Lyrics
| 너무너무 예쁘다고 해도 너를 떠올리며 거절했지만 이번 한 번뿐이라는 걸 맹세해 약속을 정하고 그날이 왔어 신경 써서 옷도 입고 머리도 하고 오랜만에 하는 소개팅에서 무슨 말을 할까 고민도 하고 널 만날 때완 다른 느낌에 설레임을 안고 집을 나섰지 날씨도 좋고 기분도 좋고 아무튼 이래저래 좋았던 거야 나를 믿고 있는 너에겐 정말 미안한 마음뿐이야 이번 한 번만 용서해 10분 정도 먼저 도착해서 어떤 여자일까 상상을 했어 예뻤으면 키도 컸으면 좋겠어 혹시나 하고 주위를 살피고 흐르는 노래를 따라 불렀어 드디어 내 친구의 모습 보이고 난 수줍어 고개를 숙였어 국민학교 동창이란 친구 얘기에 인사를 하려고 고개를 드니 내 앞에 있는 건 다름 아닌 너 황당한 나보다 더 당황하는 너 서로 믿고 있던 너와 나 그냥 마음껏 웃어버렸어 서로 용서해 이번만 이래서 우린 어쩔 수가 없나 봐 서로가 눈을 피해 만나보아도 결국엔 이렇게 우리 둘이서 또 만나게 되어있는 거잖아 이렇게 예쁜 너의 곁엔 이렇게 착한 내가 있었어 우린 결코 헤어질 수 없어 영원히 사랑할 수밖에 없어 그렇게 미안해하지 마 예쁜 추억을 만든 것 뿐야 너를 사랑해 영원히 난 너를 사랑해 난 너를 사랑해 | Even when they said she was so, so pretty, I kept thinking of you and turned them down. But I swore—this time would be just once. We set a date, and the day finally came. I dressed up carefully, did my hair. On this blind date after such a long time, I wondered what I should say. It felt so different from meeting you, with excitement in my heart, I left home. The weather was nice, my mood was good— anyway, everything felt just right. To you, who trusts me, I only feel so, so sorry. Please forgive me, just this once. I arrived about ten minutes early, imagining what kind of woman she would be. I hoped she’d be pretty, maybe tall too. I glanced around just in case, humming along with the music playing. Finally, I saw my friend approaching, and shyly lowered my head. He said it was his old elementary school classmate, so I lifted my head to greet her— and the one standing there was none other than you. If I was shocked, you were even more surprised. You and I, who trusted each other, couldn’t help but burst out laughing. We forgave each other—just this once. So this must be how we are— even if we try to meet someone else, in the end, like this, we’re meant to meet each other again. Beside someone as beautiful as you, there’s someone as kind as me. We could never break up, we’re destined to love forever. So don’t feel too sorry. It only became another pretty memory. I love you, forever. I love you, I love you. |
The lyrics blend romantic devotion with an upbeat rhythm, making the track both emotional and danceable.
🌍 Why It Matters
- SoulMate showed that K-pop could adopt Western R&B influences while still appealing to Korean listeners.
- It opened the door for future artists like Fly to the Sky, Brown Eyes, and g.o.d to experiment with R&B and hip-hop sounds.
- Considered one of the most iconic Korean R&B tracks of the 90s.
🎤 Fun Facts
- Kim Jo-han’s powerful vocals earned him the nickname “Korea’s R&B King.”
- The phrase “천생연분” (fated partner, soulmate) became widely popular thanks to this song.
- Solid reunited in 2018, releasing a comeback album after 21 years, proving their enduring influence.
“SoulMate (천생연분)” isn’t just a 90s hit — it’s a landmark song that showed the birth of modern R&B in Korea.
With its timeless groove and heartfelt lyrics, it remains a beloved classic across generations.
👉 Do you think modern K-pop still carries the same R&B soul that Solid pioneered?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
