The Private's Letter

The Private's letter(이등병의 편지) is a famous South Korean folk song written and composed by "Kim Hyun Sung". He was the original singer of this song. Later this song became famous when "Kim Kwang Seok" remade this song and performed with his own acoustic guitar and harmonica.

Artists Who Made Albums with This Song

* Kim Hyun Sung
* Kim Kwang Seok
* Jun In Kwon

Lyrics

Lyrics of this song looks like monologue of a enlisted soldier or letter to friends written by him. Since Korean War, military service had been mandatory to male in South Korea; many enlisted service persons are draftees. Usually, South Korean males are conscripted at the age of twenty (or little bit older). Throughout the song, it is easy to find sadness of draftees about sparation from their parents, loved ones, close friends, and even "civilized area". But at the end of the song, the narrator promise to himself that "the military service year is not the end of his youth but the start of another stage."

Translation

집 떠나와 열차 타고 훈련소로 가는 날

On the day of leaving Home for Army Enlist Center,

부모님께 큰 절하고 대문 밖을 나설때

when say good-bye to my parents and come out,

가슴 속엔 무엇인가 아쉬움이 남지만

I feel something