It’s Sunday again — time to look back at another classic!

This week we’re rewinding to KARA’s “STEP”, a song that defined early-2010s K-pop with its explosive color palette, unstoppable energy, and message of pushing through criticism with confidence. 🪩

Let’s take a look at these lines that show the group’s strength and self-awareness:

“내 인생에 섣불리 get louder

나 좋으라고 그랬겠어, 그랬겠어?”

“Getting loud about my life so recklessly —

Did you really think I did it just for fun, just for me?”

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💬 Key Phrases to Learn:

1️⃣ 내 인생에 – In my life / about my life

• 내 – my

• 인생 – life

• -에 – particle meaning “in / about / regarding”

→ Literally “in my life,” used here to talk about how others comment or interfere.

2️⃣ 섣불리 – Recklessly / carelessly / thoughtlessly

• An adverb meaning “without careful thought.”

→ A great word to express doing something too soon or without understanding.

💡 Grammar note: adverbs like 섣불리, 조심히, 똑바로 modify verbs directly — no particles needed.

3️⃣ get louder – Konglish phrase

Even though it’s English, in Korean pop lyrics it often means to raise your voice or to talk loudly (about someone).

→ Here: “You speak too loudly about my life.”

4️⃣ 나 좋으라고 그랬겠어? – Do you think I did it for myself?

• 나 – I / me

• 좋으라(고) – so that (it would be) good for me

• -고 그랬다 – did something with that intention

• -겠어? – rhetorical ending meaning “do you really think?”

→ Altogether: “Do you really think I did it just for me?”

💡 The -겠어? ending adds a mix of sarcasm and frustration — like saying “come on, seriously?”

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💡 Grammar Tip:

• -라고 그랬다 means “said / did (something) with that purpose.”

• 먹으라고그랬어 → “(They) told me to eat.”

• 나좋으라고그랬어? → “Did you do it for your own benefit?”

• Combine this with -겠어? for rhetorical effect — a pattern often used in spoken Korean and lyrics.

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💬 Why It Matters:

Behind the glitter and neon of “STEP” is a powerful statement of identity:

KARA were young women under constant public scrutiny, and this lyric pushes back —

Don’t judge my choices as careless, and don’t assume it’s just for show.

🎧 “STEP” remains one of KARA’s defining tracks — proof that confidence and kindness can dance side by side.

💬 Did you know “STEP” was written during a period when KARA were battling burnout? Drop a 💫 if you think they turned pressure into pop perfection.