DBSK/Tohoshinki - Wasurenaide

So I'm officially in love with one of the track's from DBSK's upcoming single, 'Bolero/Kiss My Baby Sky/Wasurenaide.' The last one, to be precise. There are no official lyrics out at this point (the single doesn't come out for another couple weeks) so this was all done by ear. I'll fix any mistakes once the official lyrics come out though ^^

Wasurenaide (Don't Forget Me)

I sit on my bed and think of you
It's alright even if I can't see you...
I miss you, but just this feeling is enough

The memories of you remain, they're so strong
I read a short message from you and it makes my chest tighten painfully
But I want to keep protecting your eternal happiness

* I'll become the wind and wrap gently around you
Right now, I want to fly to a world with you in it
Even though I want to see you so much... I miss you so much...
I'm waiting for you, don't forget me

On the path we'd always walk, I felt your presence
Silently, I close my eyes and pray that it'll never disappear

Without acknowledging the things that hurt you deeply, you just kept on laughing and smiling
I'll always remember and cherish that
And I'll keep yelling out to the world, even if the words I use are but ordinary

* Repeat

The nights touched by you...
It's enough to break me; your fragrance hanging in the air and these feelings that build up, baby
So that this'll never end, I'll hold your hand even tighter
So that we'll never be separated...

I'll become the wind and wrap gently around you
Right now, I want to fly to a world with you in it
Even though I want to see you so much... I miss you so much...
I'm waiting for you... I'm waiting for you

* Repeat

I'm right here, don't forget me

Translator's Notes

As usual, there were quite a few places where I chose the more interpretive route over the literal one. I felt the story was one of loss, of a loved one who's died and of the one left behind who has to deal with the pain. But someday, they'll be reunited, and he wants her to know that he hasn't forgotten her, he's waiting until he can see her again, so she shouldn't forget him either. I don't know if Jaejoong or anyone else has really said anything about the song. This is just the feeling I got. Maybe he or one of the other boys will say something about it later on. Anyway, on with the notes...

In the first verse, the verb au (逢う) means 'to meet' but in english I felt we use the idea of wanting to see someone (versus meet with them) more often and translated it as such. Japanese also doesn't have a phrase/word that directly corresponds to the English 'I miss you' and 'aitai' is often used in that way.

For the start of the second verse, I took some creative license. More literally, it would go something like 'The strongly left behind memories, your short message makes my chest tighten painfully.' I got the feeling however that he's both reminiscing and perhaps looking through memories, things like short letters/messages she'd written for him.

For the chorus, I did translate pretty literally, with a bit of creative flair thrown in as far as wording is concerned. I got the feeling here of him wanting to join her right then and there, but he knows she wouldn't want him to throw his life away and so he'll just keep waiting until he's able to see her again.

In the next verse, I took a tiny bit of creative license. Literally, the first line would be 'On the usual path/walkway, I felt your shadow.' I thought the idea here was also that of a memory, a memory of the two of them walking there together, to be more precise. In this scenario, I felt it was fitting to the mood to translate it not so much him literally feeling her shadow itself, but rather feeling a shadow of her, feeling like she was there with him even now. This is why I chose 'her presence' for this part. I also felt this worked well with the next line and his silent prayer that she'll be with him always, even if only in spirit.

This next part was also a pretty literal translation. I think the idea here is that he treasures the way she was, the way she didn't let things get to her and instead smiled/laughed, putting on a happy face. As for what exactly it is that he's yelling/crying out, I got the feeling this was meant almost as a "I won't let anyone else forget it either; I'll honor you memory and keep it alive." This could just be me... if anyone else has any thoughts on this, please do share! ^^

For this verse, I must admit I was a little unsure how to handle it. The whole 'kimi ni fureta yoru kowareteshimau hodo ni' part; I was torn over what exactly was going to break... those nights, or him. Oh Japanese and your vagueness... I decided in the end to go with him because I felt the next line worked a bit better with that idea. It gave a feeling of him being a bit overwhelmed; her scent lingers in the room, all the things he's feeling, it all compounds and builds to the point that he feels he'll burst/fall apart. But even then, he doesn't want to ever forget, he doesn't want their time together to ever really end, so he just holds on even harder. Once again, this is just my interpretation and others thoughts are greatly welcomed.

Overall, I feel this is one of their most beautiful Japanese songs to date, on up there with Love in the Ice in my book. I hope you all enjoyed and that this made sense! <3