[One Thousand Characters a Day] Kim Sowol's 'Nim's Song'

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides daily 1,000-character transcription content for the 'Harumanbo Harucheonja' newsletter readers. The transcription content is carefully selected according to themes by day and month from Eastern and Western classics, Korean literature, famous columns, and notable speeches. If you upload your transcribed content to the 'Harumanbo Harucheonja' board (goodbrainboard.asiae.co.kr) by the end of this month, you will be entered into a draw to receive a 1-month free subscription to 'Millie's Library'. Today's poem is "Nim's Song" by Kim Sowol. Kim Sowol, who debuted as a folk poet, expressed the traditional Korean sentiment of han (deep sorrow) with a feminine tone and original rhythm. This poem poignantly contains the poet's heart aching over the phantom-like song of the beloved heard at all times and places, the earnest longing for the beloved loved absolutely, and the sorrow of confirming the beloved's nonexistence. The text contains 237 characters.

The clear song of my beloved I long for

Always soaks into my heart

Standing outside the gate for long days, listening

The lovely song of my beloved I long for

Is heard until sunset and dusk

Is heard until night falls and I sleep

Gently swaying in the melody

My sleep deeply enters

Even lying alone in a lonely bed

My sleep warmly goes deep

But when I wake from sleep

The beloved's song is completely lost

When I listen, as I listen

I forget the beloved's song without leaving a trace

- Kim Sowol, <Nim's Song>