I just wanted to give a balanced exposure to the different SM groups from the past–not all SM girls are marketed as thoughtless dolls. SES released an album in 2002, when the members were about 21 and 22 years old. These were some of the songs on the album.
(Compare the image and the lyrics to the latest SNSD release this year, with the members of SNSD are about the same age as SES when they released and performed these songs.)
SES – U
title track of their 5th album under SM Management
written by Hong Ji Yoo
(Bada) No one is more important than you
because my love is you
but you don’t seem satisfied
(Shoo) You ignore me, and push me away
and say we should see other people
but I won’t easily give up on you
(Eugene) I’m confident in my search for love
because I want to give you all of my heart
(All) Hey, dude, what you gonna do for me
Follow my charms, you’ll be smitten by me
Hey, dude, what you gonna do for me
Even if you deny it, you want me.
You don’t fool me.
(Bada) Try to look high and low for a woman cooler than me
They won’t be new everyday like me*
*as in they won’t be complex and intriguing
(Eugene) Kind, and affectionate,
and sometimes shy in the face of love
And sometimes cold and aloof
(Shoo) If you can’t decide quickly
you can come after you’ve collected* your love for me
*as in, store up or fill up
(All) Hey, dude, what you gonna do for me
Open your heart to me and feel the same
Hey dude, what you gonna do for me
You’re under my spell, you’ll be smitten
You don’t fool me.
(Eugene) If you can’t decide quickly
(Shoo)you can come after you’ve filled up your love for me
(Bada) Happiness, Joyfulness
You can’t feel them alone
Come to me now
(All) Hey dude, what you gonna do for me
Come follow my charm, you’ll be smitten
Hey dude, what you gonna do for me
Even if you deny it, you want me
You don’t fool me
Hey, dude, what you gonna do for me
Open your heart to me and feel the same
Hey dude, what you gonna do for me
You’re under my spell, you’ll be smitten
You don’t fool me.
***
SES – Choose My Life
Single from the 5th album
written by Hong Ji Yoo
(Chorus) Maybe I don’t have to be afraid again I have me and that is all I need
Choose, and keep on dreaming
As I start another day, I make a small choice for myself and that’s me
The important* thing that I need is myself
*also could be translated as precious
The day is laid before me I will color it with my own color
Because the main character of my life is me
The world waits for that kind of me
This stage is prepared for me
Hey! Come on my baby
(Chorus)-
You tell me that fate is already decided
that’s what the world is like
and I told you fate doesn’t exist
I make my own destiny
I will share the love I have hidden in me
because the main character of my life is me
so I will choose my life too
in this world that’s been prepared for me
Hey! Come on my baby
(Chorus)-
I will become more cooler
I’ve found the other me inside and I’m confident
(Chorus)- x3
***
SES – Running
Are you tired* and worn out?
(*also can be translated as bored)
Is your breath caught up in your neck?
But there’s no other way
You’ve already started
Under the sun rays pouring from above
your mouth may be drying out
But there’s no other way
It’d be embarrassing to stop now
One promise we can count on
is that there is always an end
After the end, you can rest a long time
until you’re too bored*
(*same words used for tired above)
Are you tired* and worn out?
Is your breath caught up in your neck?
But there’s no other way
You’ve already started
Under the sun rays pouring from above
your mouth may be drying out
But there’s no other way
It’d be embarrassing to stop now
Sometimes you’ll feel wronged
and tears will fall without reason
because no one claps for those who aren’t in first place
One promise we can count on
is that there is always an end
After the end, you can rest a long time
until you’re too bored*
It’s good enough for me Bye-bye, bye-bye
(Oh, how I wish for the old days… Just kidding. Are there any new releases in the Kpop scene by girl groups who reflect some intellect and thought in their lyrics like some of these?)
