Im Chang-jung Again 1997 K-pop Ballad Legend
The song that solidified Im Chang-jung’s (임창정) status not merely as a multi-entertainer, but as a leading South Korean ballad singer, is “Again (그때 또 다시),” the title track of his 1997 third studio album, Again. Written by Park Ju-yeon and composed by Kim Hyung-suk, the song features Im Chang-jung’s signature heartfelt vocals perfectly complementing a sorrowful melody, making it a nationwide sensation.
🎤 The Legacy and Emotion of ‘Again’
Im Chang-jung Golden Cup Kim Hyung-suk Composition 90s Ballad
“Again” brought Im Chang-jung the most brilliant glory in his musical career.
Dominating the 1997 Music Scene
Immediately upon its release, the song achieved a 5-week consecutive #1 (Golden Cup) on KBS’s Gayo Top 10, and also topped MBC’s Inkigayo Best 50 for three consecutive weeks and SBS’s TV Gayo 20, achieving a clean sweep across all three major broadcasting channels. This success led to Im Chang-jung winning the Grand Prize (대상) at the 1997 KBS Gayo Daesang, cementing his place as one of the top singers of his era.
Singing of Fateful Separation
“Again” embodies the essence of the minor ballad, singing about love and separation that seemed destined to be crossed.
“아마도 운명이 나를 잘 몰랐기에 우리의 인연을 엇갈리게 했나봐.” “참아볼게 잊어도 볼게 널 위해서라면 허나 그래도 안되면 기다릴게 그때 또 다시.” (Translation: Maybe because fate didn’t know me well, it must have let our destiny be crossed. I will endure, I will try to forget, for your sake. But if I still can’t, I will wait, until that time, again.)
The lyrics express a mournful resolution: accepting the breakup and trying to forget, but ultimately promising to wait until fate permits their reunion. Kim Hyung-suk’s classical and grand sound, combined with Im Chang-jung’s explosive high notes and emotional depth, maximizes the song’s sorrow. This track, known for its vocal difficulty, requires a strong sense of R&B rhythm and deep emotion to master.
📝 M/V & Lyrics
Check out the vow of eternal waiting for a fateful love, with the English translation.
| 네가 없는데도 해는 뜨고 또 지고 창 너머 세상은 하나 변한 게 없어 삼켰었던 내 슬픔이 갑자기 터져왔어 내가 살고 싶던 삶이란 아 이게 아닌걸 아마도 운명이 나를 잘 몰랐기에 우리의 인연을 엇갈리게 했나 봐 이 세상에서 나에게 허락되지 않은 건 함께 있고 싶은 사람과 아 함께 있는 것 하지만 난 사랑했잖아 살아있었던 거야 네 곁에서 함께 했던 날 동안 그걸로 됐어 나를 완전히 태울 수 있었던 축복을 내게 줬으니 참아 볼게 잊어도 볼게 널 위해서라면 허나 그래도 안 되면 기다릴게 그때 또 다시 온몸에 품어도 바람은 흘러가고 밤새워 지켜도 꽃은 시들겠지만 하늘 아래 네가 있어 오늘도 난 눈부셔 널 향한 마음엔 시작만 아 있는 이유로 하지만 난 사랑했잖아 살아있었던 거야 네 곁에서 함께 했던 날 동안 그걸로 됐어 나를 완전히 태울 수 있었던 축복을 내게 줬으니 참아 볼게 잊어도 볼게 널 위해서라면 허나 그래도 안 되면 기다릴게 그때 또 다시 나를 떠나도 그걸로 됐어 나를 완전히 태울 수 있었던 축복을 내게 줬으니 참아 볼게 잊어도 볼게 널 위해서라면 허나 그래도 안 되면 기다릴게 그때 또 다시 | Even though you’re not here, the sun still rises and sets, And the world outside the window hasn’t changed at all. The sadness I had swallowed suddenly burst out. The life I wanted to live, ah, this isn’t it. Maybe Fate didn’t know me well enough, And that’s why it crossed our paths. The one thing not allowed to me in this world is To be with the person I long to be with, ah, to be together. But I did love you. I was truly alive During the days I spent by your side. That’s enough. You gave me the blessing Of being able to completely burn myself (with passion). I’ll try to endure it, I’ll try to forget it, if it’s for your sake. But if even that doesn’t work out, I’ll wait. To be with you again, then. Though I hold you in my whole body, the wind flows away, And though I guard them all night, the flowers will wither. But because you exist under the sky, I shine brightly today. The reason is that the heart I have for you, ah, only has a beginning. But I did love you. I was truly alive During the days I spent by your side. That’s enough. You gave me the blessing Of being able to completely burn myself (with passion). I’ll try to endure it, I’ll try to forget it, if it’s for your sake. But if even that doesn’t work out, I’ll wait. To be with you again, then. Even if you leave me, That’s enough. You gave me the blessing Of being able to completely burn myself (with passion). I’ll try to endure it, I’ll try to forget it, if it’s for your sake. But if even that doesn’t work out, I’ll wait. To be with you again, then. |
👑 A Korean Song That Transcends Time and Generations
Im Chang-jung Again K-pop Ballad Legacy
“Again” is the crucial song that earned Im Chang-jung the title of ‘Ballad Master’ and symbolizes the Golden Age of Korean Ballads in the late 90s. Its immense success provided a solid foundation for Im Chang-jung to continue his career as a singer, consistently releasing hit ballads thereafter. To this day, it remains a frequently sung national favorite at karaoke and is often covered by junior artists, establishing it as an eternal legend of K-pop ballads.
🔥 Experience the heartfelt emotion of the 1990s and Im Chang-jung’s explosive vocal talent with this masterpiece, ‘Again’!
