Today we’re looking at one of BIBI’s earlier songs, “나비 (Nabi / Butterfly)” — a track that already shows what makes her writing so distinctive: simple language, careful rhythm, and emotional honesty that cuts quietly but deep.

At the heart of the song are two lines that mirror each other almost perfectly. Their simplicity and cadence are exactly what make them so painful — they describe a relationship where the balance is just… off.

Here are the lines we’re focusing on today:

“조금 더 받고 조금 덜 주고 싶어

조금 더 알고 조금 덜 안고 싶어”

“I want to receive a little more and give a little less.

I want to know a little more and hold a little less.”

—

⚖️ 조금 더 받고 – “To receive a little more”

• 조금 → a little

• 더 → more

• 받다 → to receive

💡 Meaning:

The desire here isn’t extreme. It’s not greed — it’s quiet imbalance. Wanting just a bit more already hints that something is missing.

—

🤲 조금 덜 주고 싶어 – “To give a little less”

• 덜 → less

• 주다 → to give

• -고 싶어 → want to

💡 Nuance:

This line pairs uncomfortably well with the first. Receiving more while giving less — not cruel, not dramatic, but unmistakably selfish.

—

🧠 조금 더 알고 – “To know a little more”

• 알다 → to know

💡 Interpretation:

Knowing someone is emotional closeness. This suggests curiosity, attachment, even dependence — wanting access without necessarily offering the same in return.

—

🫂 조금 덜 안고 싶어 – “To hold a little less”

• 안다 → to hold, to hug

💡 Emotion:

Here’s where the imbalance becomes clear. They want understanding without intimacy, connection without commitment, closeness — but only on their terms.

—

✨ Why These Lines Work So Well

BIBI doesn’t accuse.She doesn’t explain. She simply states the imbalance.

The repetition of “조금 더 / 조금 덜” (a little more / a little less) makes the relationship feel transactional — like love measured in small, careful adjustments.

That’s what makes “나비” so powerful: it captures the kind of relationship that doesn’t explode — it just slowly, quietly drifts apart.

Like a butterfly that never quite lands in your hands.

💭 Have you ever noticed a relationship felt uneven before you could explain why?

Drop a 🦋 or 💭 below.