Beyond Words: The Untold Tragedy of a Queen - feat. 나 가거든 Forestella

A Queen's Story that Dramas Cannot Show

 

In Korea, there was a queen with a tragic story. She lived during the late Joseon Dynasty and was killed by the Japanese. After her death, she was posthumously given the title Empress Myeong-Seong.

 

Several dramas based on her true story depict her being assassinated by Japanese soldiers, but this is not entirely accurate. In reality, she was not just murdered by the Japanese, but was sacrificed as a human offering for their idolatry.

 

The mother of Joseon was not allowed to die with dignity. She was stripped naked and gang-raped, and her breasts were cut off with a sword. The Japanese soldiers who raped her took turns drawing crosses on her body with the sword.

 

Regrettably, it is believed that she was still alive, albeit barely, until the last Japanese soldier plunged his sword from her private parts to her heart. After her death, the Japanese burned her body on a hillside to destroy any evidence.

 

She was treated like an animal by the Japanese who cut off the arms and legs of the King's ministers trying to stop them. What kind of drama can teach our children this true history? How can we expose the world to the atrocities committed by the Japanese?

 

 

Witnesses in the sky. In addition to the Queen, they did terrible things to many ordinary people against them.

 

The Song of Empress Myeongseong, 나 가거든[Na Gageodeun]

 

In 2001, the drama Empress Myeongseong was released, but it still failed to accurately reflect the murder of Empress Myeongseong. However, its OST, "If I Leave" (나 가거든 [Na Ga-geo-deun]), was covered by world-famous soprano Sumi Jo, causing a sensation.

 

In 2019, Forestella covered this song in Immortal Songs. The lyrics are a monologue of a queen agonizing over her fate and burden, not a love song. If you know the real history that cannot be expressed in words, you will understand how heartbreaking this song is.

 

Here are the lyrics:

 

나 가거든

After I am gone (a.k.a. If I leave)

 

쓸쓸한 달빛 아래

Under the moonlit sky,

내 그림자 하나 생기거든

my shadow looms alone.

그땐 말해볼까요

Shall I try to talk to it,

이 마음 들어나 주라고

"Let me pour my heart out"

 

문득 새벽을 알리는

Suddenly, as if heralding the dawn,

그 바람 하나가 지나거든

a puff of wind brushes past me.

그저 한숨 쉬듯 물어 볼까요

Ask, just like letting out a sigh,

나는 왜 살고 있는지

"Why should I live my life?"

 

나 슬퍼도 살아야 하네

I must live even if I am sad.

나 슬퍼서 살아야 하네

With sadness, I have to live.

 

이 삶이 다 하고 나야 알 텐데

Only after my life's final war,

내가 이 세상을 다녀간 그 이유

I can figure out why I came to this world.

 

나가고 기억하는 이

After I'm gone, if anyone remembers me,

나 슬픔까지도 사랑했다 말해주길

let them know (that) I loved even my grief.

 

흩어진 노을처럼

Like a sunset glow scattering in the air,

내 아픈 기억도 바래지면

if my painful memories fade away,

그땐 웃어질까요

can I put a smile on my face again

이 마음 그리운 옛일로

and let it be water under the bridge?

 

저기 홀로 선 별 하나

A lone star shines o'er there,

나의 외로움을 아는 건지

it seems to sense my loneliness.

차마 날 두고는 떠나지 못해

It cannot leave me in despair,

밤새 그 자리에만

stays all night, a faithful witness.

 

나 슬퍼도 살아야 하네

I must live even if I am sad.

나 슬퍼서 살아야 하네

With sadness, I have to live.

 

이 삶이 다 하고 나야 알 텐데

Only after my life's final war,

내가 이 세상을 다녀간 그 이유

I can figure out why I came to this world.

 

나가고 기억하는 이

After I'm gone, if anyone remembers me,

내 슬픔까지도 사랑하길

I hope they cherish even my sorrow.

 

아 아

Ah~ Ah~

 

부디 먼 훗날

Hopefully, someday,

나 가고 슬퍼하는 이

if anyone mourns for me after I'm gone,

나 슬픔 속에도 행복했다

let them believe (that) I was happy,

 

후~ 후~ 후~

Hoo~ Hoo~ Hoo~

 

믿게 해

even in my agony.

 

--- End of the lyrics ---

 

I translated the lyrics, paying my tribute to not only the queen but also patriotic martyrs who fought for our country and had to undergo cruel torture and tragic death. Thank you for reading my rough translation.

 

 

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After I am gone_Forestella.srt

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After I am gone_Forestella

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After I Am Gone covered by Forestella