LE SSERAFIM – So Cynical (Badum) Lyrics | Romanization & Meaning

By muziconFeb 25, 2026

Min Read0Comment

Bymuzicon

So Cynical (Badum)

LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌)

📥 Save Card

Album

HOT

Release Date

May 1, 2023

Genre

Dance-pop / R&B

Label

Source Music

Composers / Lyricists

“hitman”bang, Huh Yunjin, Kim Chaewon, Hong Eunchae, EJAE, VITALS, Anthony Watts

Participating Members

Sakura Kim Chaewon Huh Yunjin Kazuha Hong Eunchae

About the Song

《So Cynical (Badum)》 is a striking track by LE SSERAFIM, featured on their album HOT. The song was composed by acclaimed collaborators including EJAE, VITALS, Anthony Watts, alongside members 허윤진, “hitman”bang, 홍은채, and 김채원, who also contributed to the lyrics, reinforcing the group’s growing artistic identity and personal narrative. Released under Source Music, the track explores themes of emotional detachment, self-protection, and the quiet tension between vulnerability and strength. Through its minimalist production, sharp lyrical tone, and emotionally restrained delivery, the song captures the internal conflict of guarding one’s heart while still confronting lingering feelings. 《So Cynical (Badum)》 reflects LE SSERAFIM’s evolving sound and message, portraying a confident yet introspective perspective on emotional resilience in a world where sincerity can feel both powerful and fragile.

[FULL LYRICS – ROMANIZATION & ENGLISH ONLY]

English Translation

mo-reun cheok-hae
yu-nan-i-ya neon wae
u-rin eo-neu-sae
sim-jang-i ttwineu-neunde

Pretending not to know, why are you acting so nonchalant? Suddenly, our hearts are racing.

that L.O.V.E
mal-lo-man deu-reot-ji
sa-rang-eun fictional
i-reol ju-reun mol-la-sseo

That L.O.V.E, I’ve only heard about it in words. Love feels like fiction, I never knew it would be like this.

han so-neu-ron tapping on it twice
pyo-jeong-eun wae try to hide
‘jo-a-yo’ geu se geul-ja-ui mal
mal-lo ha-myeon so uncool

Tapping twice with one hand, why are you trying to hide your expression? Saying ‘I like you’ with those three words feels so uncool when it’s just words.

seo-dul-leo da noh-chi-gi jeo-ne
ttae-ron gwa-ga-man ge na-a
eu-sim-ha-ji ma you and I
right this moment

Before we rush and lose everything, sometimes silence is better. Don’t be suspicious, you and I, right this moment.

I want your lo-lo-lo-loving
a-nin cheok jom geu-man-ha-ja
wa-wa-wa-want it
seo-ro-ga won-ha-ja-na that

I want your lo-lo-lo-loving, let’s stop pretending. We both want it, don’t we?

ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum
ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum

sim-jang-eun kno-no-no-nocking
ne-ge-do deul-li-ja-na
neo lo-lo-lo-loving geu-man du-ryeo-wo-ha-ja like
ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum
ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum

My heart is kno-no-no-nocking, you can hear it too. Let’s not be afraid of this lo-lo-lo-loving, like ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum.

replay old days
geu-ttaen na-do so afraid
da-chil-kka bwa dat-chin nae
sim-jang-eun so blue

Replay old days, back then I was so afraid. Afraid of getting hurt, my heart was so blue.

neo-do time to make a choice
gyeol-jeong a-pe don’t avoid
ddan-cheong pi-u-ji mal-go
what you waiting for?

It’s time for you to make a choice, don’t avoid the decision. Don’t hesitate, what are you waiting for?

cool-han sa-i-reul jo-a-ha-ji-man
neo-rang-eun a-ni-ran mal-ya
‘jo-a-yo’ geu se geul-ja-ui mal
mal-lo ha-myeon so uncool

I like the cool distance between us, but we’re not just friends. Saying ‘I like you’ with those three words feels so uncool when it’s just words.

seo-dul-leo da noh-chi-gi jeo-ne
ttae-ron gwa-ga-man ge na-a
eu-sim-ha-ji ma you and I
right this moment

Before we rush and lose everything, sometimes silence is better. Don’t be suspicious, you and I, right this moment.

I want your lo-lo-lo-loving
a-nin cheok jom geu-man-ha-ja
wa-wa-wa-want it
seo-ro-ga won-ha-ja-na that

I want your lo-lo-lo-loving, let’s stop pretending. We both want it, don’t we?

ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum
ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum

sim-jang-eun kno-no-no-nocking
ne-ge-do deul-li-ja-na
neo lo-lo-lo-loving geu-man du-ryeo-wo-ha-ja like
ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum
ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum

My heart is kno-no-no-nocking, you can hear it too. Let’s not be afraid of this lo-lo-lo-loving, like ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum.

so cynical i-jen geu-man-hal-lae
du-ryeo-wo ma if your heart is beating
so cynical mang-seo-ri-myeon too late
neo-neo-wa glowing
ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum

So cynical, let’s stop this now. Don’t be afraid if your heart is beating. So cynical, if you hesitate, it’ll be too late. You and I are glowing, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-dum.

Copy Romanized view Full Korean Lyrics

🗣️ Practice Korean Words

심장 (Sim-jang)

Heart

💡 Note: The organ that beats fast when experiencing unexpected feelings of love.

의심 (Ui-sim)

Doubt

💡 Note: The act of questioning or being uncertain about the connection between two people.

과감한 (Gwa-gam-han)

Bold

💡 Note: Having a brave or daring attitude to seize the moment before it is too late.

망설이면 (Mang-seol-i-myeon)

If hesitating

💡 Note: The condition of being reluctant or wavering in making a choice to move forward.

🎵 Song Meaning & Interpretation

The song describes a shift from a fictional perspective on love to an unavoidable, heart-pounding reality. It encourages letting go of cynical defenses and being bold about mutual attraction, emphasizing that hesitating to express true feelings is ultimately “uncool.”