Some songs stick with you not because they’re loud or flashy, but because they capture a truth that feels universal. “Seoul” by H1-KEY is exactly that. With its laid-back synths, gentle tempo, and reflective melody, it’s a song that balances exhilaration with anxiety—the feeling of chasing dreams in the city that never sleeps.

In a way, this track could be the “New York, New York” of K-pop: a declaration of ambition and survival in Seoul, the very heart of the industry.

Let’s look at this telling line:

“이 도시에서 난 웃고 있을 거야”

“In this city, I’ll be smiling.”

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📘 Key Words & Grammar

1️⃣ 이 도시에서 – In this city

• 이 = this

• 도시 = city

• -에서 = location particle (where an action takes place)

2️⃣ 난 – I (topic-marked)

• Short for 나는

• Sets the subject, emphasizing I will be the one.

3️⃣ 웃고 – Smiling

• From 웃다 = to smile/laugh

• -고 connects the verb to what follows, here forming part of 웃고 있을 거야.

4️⃣ 있을 거야 – Will be (progressive future)

• 있다 = to exist/be

• -을 거야 = informal future tense

• Together: “will be (doing)” → future progressive: will be smiling.

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💡 Language & Grammar Tip:

Notice how 웃고 있을 거야 creates a future progressive—implying not just a momentary smile, but sustained happiness ahead. Grammatically it projects a vision: right here, in this city, I’ll be smiling.

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💬 Why It Matters:

For every trainee, Seoul is both a dream and a battlefield. This lyric embodies the hope that after all the hardships, the smiles will outshine the struggles. H1-KEY captures what countless idols feel in their journey—ambition, fear, and determination all tied together.

🌆 Does “Seoul” also feel like the anthem for chasing dreams to you? Drop a 🏙️ if this lyric hits home!