Chen is back with “Arcadia”, a hauntingly beautiful single about carrying scars yet still moving forward, wishing for a place of release and rest. His voice—gentle but strong—guides us through heartbreak and hope.

Here’s a line that captures the essence of the song:

“지나버린 채 멈출 수 없으니까

남겨진 나를 데려가 난”

“Since I can’t stop what’s already passed,

take the me that remains.”

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📘 Key Words & Grammar

1️⃣ 지나버린 채 – Having already passed / while passed

• 지나다 = to pass, go by

• -버리다 = auxiliary meaning “completely / irreversibly”

• -ㄴ 채 = “while in a state of …”

👉 “In the state of having already passed.”

2️⃣ 멈출 수 없으니까 – Since I can’t stop (it)

• 멈추다 = to stop

• -ㄹ 수 없다 = cannot (do something)

• -니까 = since / because

👉 “Because I cannot stop.”

3️⃣ 남겨진 나를 – The me that remains / the me left behind

• 남겨지다 = to be left behind (passive form of 남기다, to leave)

• 나 = me

• -를 = object particle

👉 “The me who has been left behind.”

4️⃣ 데려가 난 – Take me (with you), I…

• 데려가다 = to take someone along

• 난 = contraction of 나는 (I)

👉 “Take me (away), I …”

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💡 Language Tip:

The -버리다 ending adds a sense of finality—something is over, gone for good. Paired with 채, it’s not just “what passed,” but “what irreversibly passed and still lingers as a state.” Very Korean in how it holds both finality and continuation.

—

💬 Why It Matters:

Chen doesn’t just sing of despair—he sings of survival. This lyric accepts the unchangeable past (지나버린채) yet pleads for the broken self left behind (남겨진나) to be carried forward. It’s both resignation and resilience.

🌌 If you had an “Arcadia,” where would it be—a real place, or just a feeling? Drop a 🌿 if you’d like to escape there too.