CRUEL
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CRUEL reveals how emotional distance becomes a protective boundary, turning pain into quiet strength and self-control.
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 your cold stare. Between the two of us, something froze far away.
a-jik-do neon nae-ge-seo
beot-eo-na-jil mot-ha-ni
beot-eo-na-jil mot-ha-ni
Even now, you still can’t pull yourself 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
As if nothing happened, acting all fine. Oh i’m doing just fine. I look nothing like you ever expected.
GA-HOK-hae?
Is that 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
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 deny it. Our twisted fate was already cut loose.
mae-jeong-han son-jit a-rae
heun-jeok-jo-cha tteo-nan geol
heun-jeok-jo-cha tteo-nan geol
Under your familiar gestures. Even the traces have already left.
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
As if nothing happened, acting all fine. Oh i’m doing just fine. I look nothing like you ever expected.
ga-hok-hae?
Is that 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
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, the hardened way i speak. So cruel, my calm expression. 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, the broken memories. So cruel, my folded-up 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.
