“Myeongdong Calling” (명동콜링) was performed by Car, the garden (카더가든) in the 2018/2019 competition show “The Fan.”
The arrangement of this cover is credited to the artist himself and a music producer by the name 623, who have completely transformed the song into a sentimental and dramatic ballad.
The song is originally by the indie rock band Crying Nut (크라잉넛) and was released in their 2006 album, more than 10 years before the song was revived by Car, the garden. The original song has the same poetic lyrics but the funk undertones suppress the sentimentality and imagery the words invoke.
Car, the garden eventually won in the competition show he sung it on. And the number of Korean drama soundtracks he’s been part of within just a few years speaks to the artist’s newfound popularity.
There are numerous songs to his name now but Myeongdong Calling might perhaps be the most memorable – both to listeners and to the artist.
Translation Note: The below is based on my own interpretation of the lyrics and is not an official English translation of the song provided by the artist.
Translated lyrics to “Myeongdong Calling” performed by Car, the garden
Oh darling, are you leaving me
When the starlight is falling over the fine white snow
Are you leaving me, leaving behind only your footsteps
Christmas evening, the streets of Myeongdong
Are full of lovers, like they’re making fun of me
All of a sudden, memories start dancing around me
I miss you my lovely darling, come back to me
To my palace
You leave for another place when the wind blows
My little boat
All of a sudden, memories start dancing around me
In the store windows, my own reflection
Isn’t human, I can’t believe it
I can only stare at the full moon in the night sky
I miss you my lovely darling, come back to me
To my palace
You leave for another place when the wind blows
My little boat
Thinking about it, it was like a movie
Without an audience or a theatre
In every moment, we were a movie
I miss you my lovely darling, come back to me
I miss you my lovely darling, come back to me
To my palace
All of a sudden, memories start dancing around me
Related links
- Korean lyrics to the song
- Original version of the song by Crying Nut
- Car, the garden on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
