“Flower” is a heartfelt song by folk singer-songwriter Jeongmilla (정밀아), released as a single in 2016.
The song was nominated for the Best folk song in the 2017 Korean Music Awards.
Like her other songs, she sings slowly, articulating every word ever so gently. But unlike her other songs, the lyrics to “Flower” are not attributed to her – but to the Korean poet Na Tae-ju (나태주).
Jump to the English translation of the lyrics here.
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Written by a romantic poet
Na Tae-ju is a poet born in 1945, who worked as a teacher for over 40 years. He is a prolific writer who began in 1971 when his poem was selected and published by the newspaper Seoul Shinmun (서울신문). He also served as the 43rd President of the Society of Korean Poets in 2020 and 2021.
His simple but poignant poems and his easy-going and humorous personality have likely made him a minor celebrity. His poems have appeared on Korean dramas, and are referenced by famous celebrities as well.
The song “Flower” is taken from Na Tae-ju’s poem “Flower 2” (꽃 2) and his words and Jeongmilla’s voice fit perfectly, seeming to reach out to the individual listener.
Featured in a drama on school bullying
“Flower” appears on episode 8 of the 2022 series “The King of Pigs” (돼지의 왕) by the Korean streaming platform TVing, and adapted from the 2011 adult animated film of the same name.
The story is centred around three friends who were victims of serious bullying and violence in school, leading one of them to seek revenge on each of the perpetrators later in life.
“Flower” first appears as a song sung by one of the side characters – a young girl who herself was bullied in school and sadly tries to commit suicide before realizing her dream of being a singer.
The episode shows a short recorded clip where she sings Jeongmilla’s song as she plays the guitar. As she sings the first verse, the camera slowly focuses on one of the main characters and cuts to moments from his childhood when his close friends and he were abused in school.
For a brief moment, it’s as if the song’s words touch him and he wavers just a little – almost forgetting that he’s seated across the table from one of the people he intends to kill.
The second time the song is featured on the episode is with the ending credits, and this time it’s Jeongmilla’s version of “Flower” that brings the dramatic episode to a close.
Suicide is a recurring issue in the series and it’s also a very real issue in South Korea.
Since 2003, the suicide rate in Korea caught up quickly with Lithuania, the country that had the highest rate according to OECD data. Korea remained closely behind until it surpassed Lithuania in 2009. Korea then had the highest suicide rate from 2009 to 2012. It was overtaken by Lithuania again from 2013 to 2017 but reclaimed the top spot in 2018 and 2019. (Source: OECD data, suicide rates)
Regardless of where they are from, everyone needs a reminder every now and then that they are capable of being loved, that they are precious just as they are. This song does exactly that.
Translated lyrics to “Flower” (꽃) by Jeongmilla (정밀아)
It is not because you are pretty
It is not because you are impressive
Not because you own many things either
It is just because of who you are
Because you are who you are
You are missed
You are loveable
You are pitied, too
In the end, like a nail,
you are lodged in the heart
There is no reason why
If there were, it would be just one
The fact that you are you
Because you are who you are
That makes you precious
Makes you beautiful
Makes you loveable and complete
There is no reason why
If there were, it would be just one
The fact that you are you
Because you are who you are
That makes you precious
Makes you beautiful
Makes you loveable and complete
That makes you precious
Makes you beautiful
Makes you loveable and complete
That makes you precious
Makes you beautiful
Makes you loveable and complete
Dear flower
Stay as you are for a long while
Related links
- Korean lyrics to the song
- Live recording of “Flower” (piano version)
- Cover of “Flower” featured in series “King of Pigs”
- Jeongmilla on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify
