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EXO “MAMA” Korean Lyrics

EXO · 2012 · Album: MAMA · Advanced

A debut questioning the digital age: 'you who smile — where is your heart?' MAMA, please tell me. A cold cyber-jungle monologue.

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FAQ

What are the lyrics of “MAMA” about?

A debut questioning the digital age: 'you who smile — where is your heart?' MAMA, please tell me. A cold cyber-jungle monologue.

How do I learn Korean with “MAMA”?

Sing along with the karaoke-synced lyrics, then study 12 key vocabulary, 3 grammar points and a 7-day study plan — free, no sign-up.

How hard is this song for Korean learners?

The level is “Advanced” — every line comes with pronunciation, romanization and translation, aimed at advanced learners.

Which group sings “MAMA”?

SM's dual-market act (2012), famed for grand concepts and knife-sharp choreo. Romantic, cinematic lyrics with rich Sino-Korean.

Full lyrics (Korean, romanization, English translation)

MAMA 가슴 안에 묻어버린MAMA gaseum ane muteobeorinMAMA, buried inside the heart
진심은 언제부터 막혔나jinsimeun eonjebuteo makhyeossnaSince when has the truth been blocked?
MAMA 말할 수 없는MAMA malhal su eopsneunMAMA, the words I cannot speak
꿈속에서라도 들려줬으면 해kkumsokeseorado deulryeojwosseumyeon haeI wish I could hear it even in dreams
거짓 웃음 짓는 얼굴들geojit uteum jitneun eolguldeulFaces wearing fake smiles
눈물조차 갈증나는 이 도시에nunmuljocha galjeungnaneun i dosieIn this city where even tears are a luxury
MAMA 아무도 도와주지 않아MAMA amudo dowajuji anhaMAMA — nobody's coming to help
매일같이 반복되는 이 고통 속에maeilgati banbokdoeneun i gotong sokeIn this pain that repeats every day
사랑이 뭐야 다 헛소리야sarangi mwoya da heotsoriyaWhat is love? It's all nonsense
다들 그런 말 하더라 이별하고 나서dadeul geureon mal hadeora ibyeolhago naseoEveryone says that after the breakup
하나둘씩 늘어가는 상처들hanadulssik neuleoganeun sangcheodeulWounds piling up one by one
웃는 법을 잊어버린 나utneun beopeul iteobeorin naI've forgotten how to smile
다시 태어난다면 다른 모습이기를dasi taeeonandamyeon dareun moseupigireulIf I'm reborn, let me be different

Vocabulary (12)

KoreanRomanizationEnglishNote
묻어버리다muteobeoridato be buried awaythe truth gets buried
막히다makhidato be blockedwords get stuck
거짓 웃음geojit uteumfake smilewear a fake smile
갈증나다galjeungnadato crave / thirsteven tears are a luxury
도와주다dowajudato helpnobody helps
매일같이maeilgatievery single dayrepeat every day
고통gotongpainfall into pain
헛소리heotsorinonsenseit's all nonsense
이별하다ibyeolhadato part / break upafter breaking up
상처sangcheowoundwounds pile up
웃는 법utneun beophow to smileforget how to smile
다시 태어나다dasi taeeonadato be rebornif reborn

Grammar notes (3)

묻어버리다 = got buried away

MAMA 가슴 안에 묻어버린 진심은 언제부터 막혔나

-어버리다 adds irreversibility: the truth wasn't hidden — it got buried by accident.

Pattern: [stem] + ア/オ ブリダ

Example: 잊어버린 과거 (a forgotten past)

-조차 = even

눈물조차 갈증나는 이 도시에

-조차 makes even crying a luxury purchase — the city is that expensive.

Pattern: [noun] + チョチャ

Example: 이름조차 잊었어 (forgot even the name)

뭐야 = what is it? (blunt)

사랑이 뭐야 다 헛소리야

The blunt 뭐야 + total dismissal = a wounded person's defense mechanism.

Pattern: [noun] + イ モヤ

Example: 이게 뭐야 (what is this?)

7-day study plan

Day 1 — Vocab Set A + hum along to the chorus

Day 2 — Grammar 1, 2 (묻어버리다 = got buried away, -조차 = even)

Day 3 — Vocab Set B + Grammar 3 (뭐야 = what is it? (blunt))

Day 4 — Grammar 4 (묻어버리다 = got buried away) + Vocab Set C

Day 5 — Grammar 5, 6 + sing the whole song

Day 6 — Vocab review + quiz

Day 7 — Final check: full sing-through + use the grammar

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