CRUEL
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Cruel reveals how emotional distance shields pain, turning hurt into quiet strength and self-protective boundaries.
Album
Formula of Love: O+T=<3
Release Date
November 12, 2021
Genre
Dance-pop
Label
JYP Entertainment
Composers / Lyricists
Mich Hansen, Jeppe London Bilsby, Lauritz Emil Christiansen, Brooke Tomlinson, Alma Gudmundsdottir, Dahyun
Participating Members
Nayeon
Jeongyeon
Momo
Sana
Jihyo
Mina
Dahyun
Chaeyoung
Tzuyu
Watch the Video
[FULL LYRICS – ROMANIZATION & ENGLISH ONLY]
English Translation
cha-ga-un si-seon sok-e
jeo meol-ri EO-REO-BUT-EUN du-reul sa-i
jeo meol-ri EO-REO-BUT-EUN du-reul sa-i
In the cold gaze between us, there’s a distance that freezes.
a-jik-do neon nae-ge-seo
beot-eo-na-jil mot-ha-ni
beot-eo-na-jil mot-ha-ni
You still can’t break away from me.
a-mu-reot-ji an-ge tto bo-ran deut-i
oh nan jal ji-nae-go
neo-ui ye-cheuk-gwa-neun jeon-hyeo da-reun mo-seub-i-ra
oh nan jal ji-nae-go
neo-ui ye-cheuk-gwa-neun jeon-hyeo da-reun mo-seub-i-ra
Pretending nothing’s wrong, like you don’t care. I’m doing fine, but I’m so different from your expectations.
GA-HOK-hae?
Is it tempting?
you think i’m so CRUEL
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a FOOL
yeah i’m cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a FOOL
yeah i’m cruel
you think i’m so cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
jeung-o-hae-bwa-do i-mi
EO-GEUT-NAN un-myeong kkeun-eo-jyeo beo-rin geol
EO-GEUT-NAN un-myeong kkeun-eo-jyeo beo-rin geol
Even if you try to prove it, it’s already a fate that’s ended.
mae-jeong-han son-jit a-rae
heun-jeok-jo-cha tteo-nan geol
heun-jeok-jo-cha tteo-nan geol
Underneath the indifferent gestures, even the traces have disappeared.
a-mu-reot-ji an-ge tto bo-ran deut-i
oh nan jal ji-nae-go
neo-ui ye-cheuk-gwa-neun jeon-hyeo da-reun mo-seub-i-ra
oh nan jal ji-nae-go
neo-ui ye-cheuk-gwa-neun jeon-hyeo da-reun mo-seub-i-ra
Pretending nothing’s wrong, like you don’t care. I’m doing fine, but I’m so different from your expectations.
ga-hok-hae?
Is it tempting?
you think i’m so cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
you think i’m so cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
so cruel GU-DEO-JIN mal-tu
so cruel deom-deom-han pyo-jeong
i know i know it drives you MAD
so cruel deom-deom-han pyo-jeong
i know i know it drives you MAD
So cruel, twisted words. So cruel, indifferent expressions. I know, I know it drives you mad.
so cruel JO-GAK-NAN gi-eok
so cruel gu-gyeo-jin ga-seum
i know it drives you CRAZY
so cruel gu-gyeo-jin ga-seum
i know it drives you CRAZY
So cruel, fragmented memories. So cruel, a hardened heart. I know it drives you crazy.
you think i’m so cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
you think i’m so cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
but i’m just doing all the things that you do
hey you should put yourself in my shoes
like a fool
yeah i’m cruel
🗣️ Practice Korean Words
가혹해
(ga-hok-hae)
harsh/cruel
💡 Note: a situation or treatment that is extremely severe and merciless
매정한
(mae-jeong-han)
cold-hearted
💡 Note: describing someone who lacks warm feelings or sympathy for others
어긋난
(eo-geut-nan)
went awry/crossed
💡 Note: a state where things have deviated from the intended path or fate
조각난
(jo-gak-nan)
shattered/fragmented
💡 Note: broken into small pieces, often describing memories or hearts
🎵 Song Meaning & Interpretation
The lyrics describe emotional detachment that comes after being hurt, where distance becomes a form of self-protection rather than malice. The speaker mirrors the other person’s behavior, exposing the imbalance and forcing reflection. What looks like cruelty is actually boundaries taking shape, turning pain into control and emotional clarity into quiet strength.
