Turbo A Jazz Bar 1996 K-pop Ballad
In the mid-1990s, when they dominated the music scene with explosive dance tracks, Turbo (터보) released a hidden masterpiece, “A Jazz Bar… (어느 째즈바…)” as the third promotional single from their 1996 2nd album, New Sensation. Following the mega-hits “Twist King” and “Love is… (3+3=0),” this track showcased a sentimental and heartfelt ballad contrasting Turbo’s powerful dance image. It became a Triple Crown winner, cementing its status as a K-pop classic.
🎤 Why the ‘Sentimental Ballad’ from Dance Group Turbo Succeeded
90s K-pop Turbo Ballad Kim Jong Kook
The success of “A Jazz Bar…” proved that Turbo was more than just a dance group; they were artists with a wide musical spectrum.
The Unique Harmony of Saxophone and Fast Beat
As its title suggests, the song starts with a saxophone solo, immediately invoking a Jazz sensibility. Unlike typical slow ballads, it uses a relatively fast tempo to maintain engagement. The most distinct feature is Kim Jong Kook’s heartbreaking vocal performance, which manages to be both restrained and emotionally explosive. This arrangement, which balances cheerfulness and sentimentality, set a new standard for dance group ballads in the 90s.
A Lonely, Honest Monologue to a Lost Lover
The lyrics unfold as a monologue from a speaker who can’t forget a former lover and seeks solace by visiting a jazz bar filled with their shared memories alone.
“너무나 슬픈 음악 선율과 담배연기 히뿌연 구석자리로 가 앉아 너를 생각했다.” (Translation: To a smoky, dimly-lit corner seat, With a sorrowful music melody, I went and sat, thinking of you..)
The detailed, lonely setting and honest emotional expression resonated with the breakup sentiments of young people at the time, achieving deep empathy.
📝 M/V & Lyrics
Feel the desolate atmosphere of the jazz bar with the English translation.
| 지난 시간들이 다시는 오지 않을 것을 알지만 아직도 너의 기억 그대로인데 아픈 상처들을 안고서 살아갈 순 있지만 지우긴 너무나 힘들어 나는 오늘 밤 니 생각에 술 마시고 이 비가 오는 길거릴 나 홀로 방황하고 있다 재작년 이맘때쯤 너와 함께 언제나 즐거웠던 어느 째즈바에 갔다 너무나 슬픈 음악 선율과 담배 연기 희뿌연 구석 자리로 가 앉아 너를 생각한다 이 어둔 조명 아래 마치 마치 니가 웃고 앉아 있을 듯한 착각을 느낀다 이제 슬퍼하지 않을 거야 내 맘속엔 없으니 시간이 모든 것을 해결하겠지 너를 알기 전 나는 항상 혼자였으니 같은 하늘 아래 살면서 서로 외면해야만 하는 우리가 너무나도 고통스러워 이미 남의 사랑 돼버린 현실 속을 나 홀로 쓸쓸히 살아가야 해 너와 헤어져 지낸 지도 언 1년 너 항상 행복하길 축복하며 빌어주고 있다 수많은 어둔 밤을 잠 못 이루면서 나 오직 너의 대한 생각뿐이다 너 또한 나에 대한 지난 아픈 깊은 추억들 마음 깊이 그리워할지 무척 궁금하다 나 이젠 우연인지 필연인지 가끔 널 보더라도 웃어줄 수 있는데 이제 슬퍼하지 않을 거야 내 맘속엔 없으니 시간이 모든 것을 해결하겠지 너를 알기 전 나는 항상 혼자였으니 같은 하늘 아래 살면서 서로 외면해야만 하는 우리가 너무나도 고통스러워 이미 남의 사랑 돼버린 현실 속을 나 홀로 쓸쓸히 살아가야 해 지난 시간들이 다시는 오지 않을 것을 알지만 아직도 너의 기억 그대로인데 아픈 상처들을 안고서 살아갈 순 있지만 지우긴 너무나 힘들어 같은 하늘 아래 살면서 서로 외면해야만 하는 우리가 너무나도 고통스러워 이미 남의 사랑 돼버린 현실 속을 나 홀로 쓸쓸히 살아가야 해 | I know that the times we shared Will never come back again, But your memory is still exactly as it was. I can go on living, Holding onto the painful scars, But it’s too hard to erase them. Tonight, thinking of you, I’m drinking And wandering alone on this rainy street. I went to a jazz bar where we were always happy Around this time two years ago. To a smoky, dimly-lit corner seat, With a sorrowful music melody, I went and sat, thinking of you. In this dark lighting, I get the illusion That you are sitting there, smiling, just like that. I won’t be sad anymore, Since you’re not in my heart. Time will take care of everything, right? I was always alone before I knew you. It’s too painful for us, Who live under the same sky, To have to ignore each other. I have to live out this reality alone and lonely, Where you’ve already become someone else’s love. It’s been a year since we broke up, And I’m always blessing and praying for your happiness. Spending countless dark nights unable to sleep, I think only of you. I’m truly curious if you, too, deeply miss The painful, profound memories of me. Now, whether by chance or by destiny, Even if I see you sometimes, I can manage to smile. I won’t be sad anymore, Since you’re not in my heart. Time will take care of everything, right? I was always alone before I knew you. It’s too painful for us, Who live under the same sky, To have to ignore each other. I have to live out this reality alone and lonely, Where you’ve already become someone else’s love. I know that the times we shared Will never come back again, But your memory is still exactly as it was. I can go on living, Holding onto the painful scars, But it’s too hard to erase them. It’s too painful for us, Who live under the same sky, To have to ignore each other. I have to live out this reality alone and lonely, Where you’ve already become someone else’s love. |
👑 Writing the History of ‘Ballad Royalty’ from a Dance Group
Turbo A Jazz Bar K-pop Legacy
“A Jazz Bar…” was a crucial track that allowed Turbo to be recognized for their musical depth beyond the dance craze. Achieving a Triple Crown—with a dance track, a medium-tempo dance track, and a ballad all hitting number one from one album—is a monumental record in 90s Korean music history. The song firmly established Kim Jong Kook’s talent as a ballad vocalist and set an important precedent for future dance group members to successfully transition into solo ballad careers.
🔥 If you want to experience the heartfelt emotion hidden within the flashiness of 90s K-pop, Turbo’s ‘A Jazz Bar…’ is an essential retro ballad masterpiece!
