Ten years after their debut and also almost ten years after their disbandment, I.O.I reunite for a much-anticipated comeback. The title track of their new album ‘I.O.I LOOP’ is called ‘갑자기’ (Suddenly) and the lyrics are by Jeon Somi. A song about longing and remembering a past relationship can be interpreted both as a love song and as a song about Angdungie, their fandom. As the lyrics progress, the feelings subtly change, while the first chorus ends with ‘잊으려 누웠는데’ (I lay down to forget’, the second closes with ‘잊은 줄 알았는데’ (I thought I had forgotten) and the bridge ends with ‘우리 추억들 자꾸만 아른아른거리잖아’ (Our memories flicker before my eyes again and again) until the song finally closes with ‘너 뭔데 갑자기’ (What are you doing suddenly?). 

It shows a connection, that even though a relationship seems to have ended and the narrator thinks they want to leave it behind, it continues to exist and binds them over time and distance.

Let’s take a closer look at this pivotal line:

갑자기 너에 대한 그리움에 사무쳐

Suddenly, I’m pierced by longing for you.

Or, in a more lyrical translation:

Suddenly, I’m overwhelmed by how much I miss you.

갑자기 = suddenly

너에 대한 = for you / about you

그리움 = longing, yearning, missing someone

-에 사무쳐 = to be deeply pierced by / overcome with / saturated by an emotion

사무치다 is intense. It is not just “I miss you.” It feels like the longing sinks deep into your heart.