The Muslims’ fasting month is coming to an end, and right after today, the Malays (and the Muslims all around the world) will celebrate Hari Raya Aldifitri as an appreciation after the puasa.
During this time in previous year, our Malay friends will pack their luggage together with their ‘happiness’ and travel along the PLUS highway back to their home village, or what we called ‘Kampung‘ to unite with their families. That’s how the Raya classic song ‘Balik Kampung‘ by the late Sudirman is so popular as it is so relatable during the festival.
But as the MCO was announced to all the states in Peninsular Malaysia, which prohibited any state or district crossing, many cannot unite with their families in the kampung during this festival. ‘Balik Kampung‘ is prohibited during the Raya festival.
Despite of this, the song ‘Balik Kampung‘ still means a lot to the Malays as it reminds them of the celebration back in Kampung during the normal days.
A Malaysian based Korean Class Instagram page, @talktalkheyo recently made a cover version of ‘Balik Kampung‘ in full Korean! The lyrics was translated using simple vocabulary which is catchy and easy to sing for most of the Korean beginners! Check out their video below!
Personally I think the chorus is the best, because every single Malaysian can sing it no matter what race you are! Have you get to learn the chorus lyrics?
고향에 가고싶어~ (go-hyang-e ka-go-si-peo)
I want to go back to ‘kampung’
In this verse, ‘고향 (go-hyang)’ literally means ‘hometown’, which can partially refer to ‘kampung’ in Malay. Kampung in Malay means a rural residential area, or a traditional Malay villages. In Korean conversation, you can use ‘고향’ to describe where are you from?
Eg. 저의 고향은 말레이시아예요. (jeo-ui go-hyang-eun mal-le-i-si-a-e-yo) – My hometown is in Malaysia.
Another very simple verse at the end of the chorus is
기쁩니다 ~ (ki-ppeum-mi-da)
I’m happy~
These four words sounds simple, but that’s my favorite verse of the whole song. There are many words that can describe happiness, but ‘기쁘다 (ki-bbeu-da)’ is the most suitable one to use in picturing the happiness before the festival, with excitement and the feeling of ‘cannot wait’! While the translator used in the form of formal language ‘-ㅂ니다’ making it rhymes more naturally and poetic in the end.
An example how to make sentence using 기쁘다 (ki-bbeu-da):
Eg. 내일 고향에 돌아갈 거에요. 기분이 아주 기뻐요!
(nae-il go-hyang-e dol-a-gal geo-e-yo. gi-bun-i a-ju gi-bbeo-yo)
– I will go back to my hometown tomorrow. I feel so happy!
In here, I will attach the Korean lyrics and it’s brief translation according to the video from @talktalkheyo!
먼 길을 내가 느끼지 않아
I don’t feel how far the way is (to hometown)
내 마음이 너무 기쁘니까
Because I feel so excited
가족들을 진짜 만나고 싶어
I really want to meet all the families
다 내 눈앞에 있는 것 같아
All just gonna be in front of my eyes
아름다운 경치 하고 산들이
Beautiful view with the mountains
위에 하늘도 더 파랗게 나와
The sky above us turns out more blue
슬슬한 바람 노래 처럼 분다
The soft breeze sings like a song
다들 너무 행복하게 넘니다
Everyone is just so happy
고향에 가고싶어 (x3)
I want to go back hometown
기쁩니다~
So happy~
I hope you enjoy this version of ‘Balik Kampung‘ by @talktalkheyo! Do check out their Instagram for interesting Korean lessons and classes! In here I wish every Muslims ‘Happy Eid‘!
The original version of Balik Kampung by Sudirman!
Disclaimer: this post is created by Korean learners who want to share and practice Korean together. If there is any mistakes in the post, please feel free to contact us for editing at mydaehan2020@gmail.com . Your help will be much appreciated!
MyDaehan 🍂 