Meaning “Regret Of The Times” aespa: Lyric, Quotes
aespa – Regret Of The Times (2024 Remake Version) (시대유감 (時代遺憾)) : Unpacking a Powerful Anthem Against Fake Worlds
Let’s Talk About aespa’s Blazing Remake: “Regret Of The Times”
Okay, so have you heard aespa’s take on Seo Taiji’s legendary track, “Regret Of The Times”? It’s intense. When I first pressed play, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but wow, they really made it their own. It’s got this raw, almost defiant energy that grabs you right from the start. It’s not just a cover; it feels like a statement piece, perfectly fitting into their whole digital world vs. real world, fighting-the-big-bad narrative. It’s less of a gentle nostalgia trip and more of a full-blown sonic rebellion.
Setting the Scene: Annoyance and Arrogance
The song kicks off with this immediate sense of frustration. Lines like “거 짜식들 되게 시끄럽게 구네 / 그렇게 거만하기만 한 주제에” (Geo jjasikdeul doege sikkeureopge gune / Geureoke geomanhagiman han jujee) basically translate to calling out noisy, arrogant people. You can almost feel the eye-roll. It sets the stage perfectly – there’s something fake and irritating happening in the world they’re observing, and they’re not having it. It’s like pointing a finger directly at the phoniness and saying, “Seriously? You act like that?”
The Mask of Hypocrisy: Unmasking the Ugliness
Then they dive deeper into this theme of fakeness. The lyrics paint a pretty unsettling picture: “거짓된 너의 가식 때문에 / 너의 얼굴 가죽은 꿈틀거리고” (Geojitdoen neoui gasik ttaemune / Neoui eolgul gajugeun kkumteulgeorigo). It translates to something like “Because of your fake act / Your face skin is wriggling.” Eek! It’s such a visceral image, isn’t it? It suggests that the facade is so thin, so unnatural, that it’s physically manifesting. It’s a powerful way to describe the ugliness hiding behind polite smiles or performative actions.
And it’s not just individuals. The song points to a broader societal issue with lines about “wise adults” wandering the streets with “pretty dolls”: “나이 든 유식한 어른들은 / 예쁜 인형을 들고 거릴 헤매 다니네” (Nai deun yusikhan eoreundeureun / Yeppeun inhyeongeul deulgo georil hemae danine). What does that even mean? Maybe it’s about clinging to outdated ideals, controlling narratives, or treating people like objects? It adds this layer of creepy, almost dystopian imagery. It feels like they’re saying the older generation, the ones supposedly in charge, are lost and promoting superficiality.
Anticipation of Chaos: Waiting for the World to Snap
There’s this recurring feeling throughout the song that things are about to explode. The pre-chorus hits hard: “왜 기다려 왔잖아? / 모든 삶을 포기하는 소리를 / 이 세상이 모두 미쳐버릴 / 일이 벌어질 것 같네” (Wae gidaryeo watjana? / Modeun salmeul pogihaneun sorireul / I sesangi modu michyeobeoril / Iri beoreojil geot gatne). It’s like asking, “Haven’t you been waiting? For the sound of everyone giving up? It feels like something’s about to happen that will make the whole world go crazy.” This isn’t necessarily a happy anticipation, but it’s a sense that the current state of fakeness and frustration is unsustainable. Something has to break. It captures that tense feeling when you know change is coming, even if it’s chaotic.
Broken Wings, Burning Hearts: The Call for Revolution
The bridge and the rap sections really ramp up the call to action. They talk about broken wings – “부러져버린 너의 그런 날개로 / 너는 얼마나 날아갈 수 있다 생각하나” (Bureojyeobeorin neoui geureon nalgaero / Neoneun eolmana naragal su itda saenggakana) – questioning how far someone can truly go when they’re damaged or held back by this system. But then comes the determination: “모두를 뒤집어 새로운 세상이 오길 바라네” (Modureul dwijibeo saeroun sesangi ogil barane) – wishing for a new world by turning everything upside down. It’s pure revolutionary spirit!
aespa’s added English lines fit so perfectly here: “It will come tonight again / I will break the every vice / It will come tonight again / We will see the new moonlight.” This isn’t just passive observation anymore; it’s active participation. They’re declaring their intent to shatter the corruption and usher in something new, symbolized by that “new moonlight.” Then there’s the fierce declaration: “Now that time’s the end, 벌어진 네 틈에 가시를 꽂아놔 / 나도 모르게 묶인 내가 날 수 있게 다 풀어줘 멀리 더 불어줘 날” (Now that time’s the end, beoreojin ne teume gasireul kkojanwa / Nado moreuge mukkin naega nal su itge da pureojwo meolli deo bureojwo nal). It’s about striking back when vulnerability shows (“thorns in your cracks”) and demanding freedom to fly, to break free from unseen bonds.
Two Moons Rising: A Night of Reckoning
The climax brings this incredible imagery: “바로 오늘이 두 개의 달이 / 떠오르는 밤이야 / 네 가슴에 맺힌 / 한을 풀 수 있기를” (Baro oneuri du gaeui dari / Tteooreuneun bamiya / Ne gaseume maechin / Haneul pul su itgireul). “Today is the night / When two moons rise / May you be able to release / The resentment pent up in your heart (han).” Two moons? That’s unusual, maybe even unnatural. It could symbolize chaos, a tear in reality, or perhaps a convergence of different worlds or possibilities. Whatever it means, it marks this night as significant – a night for releasing deep-seated frustration and pain (han). It feels like the culmination of all the built-up tension, the moment where everything changes.
Overall, aespa’s “Regret Of The Times” is a fiery anthem about recognizing and rejecting hypocrisy, superficiality, and oppressive systems. It’s about that simmering discontent finally boiling over, demanding authenticity and a radical shift. The moral message? Don’t just accept the frustrating status quo. Question it, challenge it, and maybe, just maybe, be part of the force that flips it all upside down to create something genuine. It’s heavy, but also strangely empowering, right?
But hey, beyond the overall message of rebellion and calling out fakeness, there are some lines in this track that feel genuinely empowering on a personal level. Let’s zoom in on a few of those moments.
Finding Your Spark: Inspirational Quotes from aespa’s “Regret Of The Times”
Unbinding Your Potential: Breaking Free
This line from the rap section really jumps out:
(Romaji: Nado moreuge mukkin naega nal su itge da pureojwo meolli deo bureojwo nal)
Okay, translated, this is roughly “Untie me, who’s been bound without even knowing it, so I can fly, blow me further away.” Talk about a plea for liberation! What makes it inspiring is that feeling of realizing you’ve been held back by things you weren’t even aware of – maybe societal expectations, self-doubt, or subtle pressures. This line is like a demand to be set free, to finally reach your full potential and soar. It’s about recognizing those invisible chains and having the courage to say, “Get these off me!” It encourages you to identify what’s holding you back and actively seek freedom.
Embracing the Storm: Finding Power in Chaos
The pre-chorus we talked about earlier? It’s intense, but there’s a weird kind of strength in it too:
(Romaji: Wae gidaryeo watjana? Modeun salmeul pogihaneun sorireul I sesangi modu michyeobeoril iri beoreojil geot gatne)
Breaking it down again: “Haven’t you been waiting? For the sound of everyone giving up? It feels like something’s about to happen that will make the whole world go crazy.” While it sounds bleak (“giving up,” “going crazy”), the inspiration comes from acknowledging that sometimes, things need to fall apart before they can be rebuilt better. It’s about facing the impending chaos head-on, almost welcoming it as a catalyst for necessary change. It suggests that recognizing the breaking point isn’t a sign of weakness, but a moment of clarity before transformation. It’s kind of like saying, “Okay, let the storm come. We’re ready for what’s next.”
The Dawn After Darkness: Hope in Resolution
The final lines offer a unique kind of hope, tied to that strange imagery:
(Romaji: Baro oneuri du gaeui dari tteooreuneun bamiya Ne gaseume maechin haneul pul su itgireul)
“Today is the night when two moons rise / May you be able to release the resentment (han) pent up in your heart.” The inspiration here lies in the promise of release. That “han” – deep-seated sorrow, resentment, injustice – is a heavy burden. This line frames the chaotic, unusual night (“two moons rising”) not just as an end, but as an opportunity for profound emotional healing and liberation. It suggests that even in moments of upheaval or strangeness, there’s a chance to let go of past pains and find peace. It’s a reminder that transformation can also bring resolution.
Authenticity Unleashed: Don’t Hide Your Power
And let’s not forget this killer English line:
This one is so direct! It’s a bold declaration of self. “My playground” could represent one’s own space, mind, or potential. The message is clear: trying to suppress or hide someone’s true nature won’t lead to peace or complacency. Instead, it will provoke resistance. It’s incredibly empowering because it champions authenticity and warns against trying to stifle individuality. It’s basically saying, “Let me be me, or face the consequences.” It inspires you to own your space and refuse to be silenced or diminished.
So, while “Regret Of The Times” is undeniably aggressive and critical, it’s also packed with these nuggets of resilience and self-affirmation. It’s a complex mix, capturing that feeling of being fed up but also finding the strength to push back and demand something better, something real.
What do you think? Does the song feel more like a warning, a call to arms, or maybe a bit of both? I’m curious to hear how you interpret the lyrics and the overall vibe aespa brought to this iconic track. Maybe you caught different nuances or have a completely different take on what those two moons mean! Let’s discuss.
