🎤 KPOP大叔

EXO “Tempo” Korean Lyrics

EXO · 2018 · Album: DON'T MESS UP MY TEMPO · Intermediate

Don't mess up my tempo: only you can match this heartbeat — a declaration of one unique rhythm.

Open the interactive lesson →

FAQ

What are the lyrics of “Tempo” about?

Don't mess up my tempo: only you can match this heartbeat — a declaration of one unique rhythm.

How do I learn Korean with “Tempo”?

Sing along with the karaoke-synced lyrics, then study 10 key vocabulary, 2 grammar points and a 7-day study plan — free, no sign-up.

How hard is this song for Korean learners?

The level is “Intermediate” — every line comes with pronunciation, romanization and translation, great for learners with some basics.

Which group sings “Tempo”?

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)

지금 이 순간 너를 본 순간jigeum i sungan neoreul bon sunganThis moment — the moment I saw you
시간이 멈췄어 잠시 멈춰sigani meomchwosseo jamsi meomchwoTime stopped — paused for a moment
모든 게 다 멈춰버린 걸modeun ge da meomchwobeorin geolEverything froze
나 말고는 다 똑같은 색깔na malgoneun da ttokgateun saekkkalEveryone but me is the same color
빠르게 바뀌는 너의 마음에 난 지쳤어ppareuge bakkwineun neoui maeume nan jichyeosseoI'm tired of your ever-changing heart
고정된 내 사랑은 오직 너를 향해gojeongdoen nae sarangeun ojik neoreul hyanghaeMy fixed love points only to you
Don't mess up my tempoDon't mess up my tempoDon't mess up my tempo
심장 박동 하나까지 너를 위한 거라서simjang bakdong hanakkaji neoreul wihan georaseoEven my heartbeat is for you

Vocabulary (10)

KoreanRomanizationEnglishNote
순간sunganmomentthe moment I saw you
멈추다meomchudato stoptime stopped
똑같은ttokgateunidenticalthe same color
지치다jichidato get exhaustedI'm worn out
고정된gojeongdoenfixeda fixed love
오직ojikonlyonly toward you
심장 박동simjang bakdongheartbeatthe heartbeat is fast
tempotempotempomy tempo
mess upmess upto mess upmess up the tempo
빠르다ppareudato be fastchange quickly

Grammar notes (2)

-ㄴ 순간 = the moment (I) ~ed

지금 이 순간 너를 본 순간 시간이 멈췄어

본 순간 repeated: the freeze-frame of first sight.

Pattern: [stem] + ンスンガン

Example: 웃은 순간 쿵 (my heart thudded the moment you smiled)

-까지 = even (up to)

심장 박동 하나까지 너를 위한 거라서

-까지 includes even involuntary functions: every heartbeat is evidence.

Pattern: [noun] + ハナカジ

Example: 손가락 하나까지 예뻐 (even the fingers are pretty)

7-day study plan

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

Day 2 — Grammar 1, 2 (-ㄴ 순간 = the moment (I) ~ed, -까지 = even (up to))

Day 3 — Vocab Set B + Grammar 3 (-ㄴ 순간 = the moment (I) ~ed)

Day 4 — Grammar 4 (-까지 = even (up to)) + 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

More songs