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  • NCT 127 – I mean, It’s about time Lyrics | Romanized & Meaning

NCT 127 – I mean, It’s about time Lyrics | Romanized & Meaning

I mean, It's about time

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NCT 127 I mean, It's about time lyrics romanization and English meaning
Change and uncertainty become bearable when shared memories give the present strength and the future meaning.

Release Date

August 24, 2026

Genre

Pop / R&B

Label

SM Entertainment

Composers / Lyricists

Ido Zmishlany, Whitney Phillips, 우탄, 화지 (Hwaji), 쟈니 (JOHNNY), 태용 (TAEYONG)

Participating Members

Johnny Taeyong Yuta Doyoung Jaehyun Jungwoo Mark Haechan

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[FULL LYRICS – ROMANIZATION & ENGLISH ONLY]

English Translation
Well, nae-ga ba-ra-neun dae-ro-man mo-deun ge heu-leo-gal ri-neun eop-seu-ni-kka geo-dae-han gi-dae-neun beo-ri-go ja-geun hui-ma-ng-eul ga-jil ppu-ni-ya mo-deun ge da
Well, not everything can go as I wish, so I let go of big expectations and hold onto small hopes, everything is just
mu-neo-jyeo nae-ri-get-da si-peun geu-ttae jeong-sin but-jap-go sun-gan-e jip-jung-hae, eo-jjeol su eop-jja-na gi-eok ttae-mu-ne bang-hyang-eul ilh-eun jeok-do it-go gi-eok-eul balp-go
When it feels like everything is collapsing, hold onto your mind and focus on the moment, there’s no choice, because of memories, sometimes I lose direction, and stepping on memories
deo no-pi ol-la-seo-gi-do hae nu-gun-gan gi-eok so-ge nal geu-ri-wo-han-da-deon-de nae-ga byeon-haet-na geu-ge nap-peun geo-ya?
I rise higher, someone said they miss the old me in their memories, have I changed, is that a bad thing?
Every day I ask myself what really changed? All this life I poured into it how did that pay? Did I try too hard to become something I’m not?
Did I risk it all just to end up in doubt? Just be here with me From scene to scene city to city I’m in it for that next memory
da-eum gi-eok-e dae-han yag-so-gi o-neu-reul beo-ti-ge ha-ja-na, an geu-rae?
The promise of the next memory makes today bearable, doesn’t it?
Yes yes yes wanna go rounds mul-gyeo-reul i-reu-kyeo dan-neun sun-gan jan-jan-haet-deon su-myeon-e Dive in beon-ji-neun gi-eo-geun Keep shinin’
Yes yes yes wanna go rounds, create waves the moment they reach, dive into the calm surface, spreading memories keep shinin’
Yes yes yes wanna go rounds bi-cheul tta-ra sae-gyeo-ji-neun u-ri gi-eok jil-mun-i neu-reo-ga-do I don’t fight back hae-da-beun neo-wa na That’s priceless
Yes yes yes wanna go rounds, our memories engraved following the light, even if questions increase I don’t fight back, the answer is you and me, that’s priceless
u-ril gam-ssa-ju-neun bom no-ga-nae-rin ji-nan-gyeo-ul There are things that stay the same Like a book you read again
Spring that embraces us, last winter that melted away, there are things that stay the same, like a book you read again
sip-nyeo-ni-ran si-gan sok ji-na-on ma-neun gye-jeol There are things that stay the same Like a book you read again
In the time of 10 years, many seasons passed, there are things that stay the same, like a book you read again
🗣️ Practice Korean Words
희망 (huimang)
hope
💡 Note: Represents the modest but meaningful optimism the speaker holds onto after letting go of overwhelming expectations.
무너지다 (muneojida)
to collapse
💡 Note: Describes the feeling that everything may fall apart, emphasizing moments when emotional stability is tested.
버티다 (beotida)
to endure
💡 Note: Expresses continuing through difficulty, suggesting that the promise of future memories gives strength to the present.
번지다 (beonjida)
to spread
💡 Note: Describes something gradually expanding outward, used poetically for memories that continue to ripple and shine.
🎵 Song Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics reflect on growing older, changing, and learning to live with uncertainty rather than expecting life to unfold perfectly. Memories can both disorient and strengthen the speaker, becoming reminders of past versions of the self as well as steps toward something higher. Questions about whether change has gone too far or whether sacrifices were worthwhile remain unresolved, yet the promise of creating another memory gives meaning to the present. Through changing seasons and recurring images, the lyrics embrace quiet resilience and the comfort of shared memories that endure even as people continue to evolve.