Kwak Taepung joins Tokai Official to write the melancholic city anthem ‘Kyokuya Fumei’ from the Shining album. The poet describes a lonely night in a vibrant city. The music mirrors this contrast with atmospheric tones.
Released: January 25, 2026
극야불명 (Kyokuya Fumei)
Tokai • From “Shining.”
극야불명 (Kyokuya Fumei) Lyrics Translation (from “Shining.”)
Tokai paints specific scenes of neon signs and half-smoked cigarettes on asphalt. He notes, ‘The moon up in the sky mocks me,’ capturing deep personal isolation. This songwriter admits the real problem lies within himself, creating a raw confession.
Chumeul chudeon saramdeureun moduThe people who were dancing,
Nareul siheomhago oh yeahthey’re all putting me to the test, oh yeah.
Hwallageuro gadeuk chan dosimeunThis city, filled with frantic pleasure,
Nareul geodeochane eh yeahjust kicks me to the curb, eh yeah.
Geori wi neonsain pida man dambaeNeon signs on the street and half-smoked cigarettes,
Aseupalteu wie neolbeureojin sonyondeuland the boys sprawled out on the asphalt.
Saie naneun meongcheonghan naneunAmong them all, I’m just a fool,
Taeyangi balgaogil maneul gidaryeowaiting for the sun to finally rise.
Nado ara munjeneun geujeoI know that the problem,
Naege inneun geoltruly lies within me.
Naega jom deo nareul anatdamyeonIf I’d just embraced myself a little more,
Huhoe ttawi aneul tende yeahI wouldn’t be feeling this regret, yeah.
Haruga jinado bameun gyesokdwaeyoEven after the day passes, the night continues.
Nae mamen bicheun eopgo chagawoman gayoThere’s no light in my heart, and it’s only getting colder.
Jeo haneurui dareun nareul biutgoseonThe moon up in the sky mocks me,
Nollimyeo boran deut nopi tteoollayorising high as if to laugh in my face.
Biteulgeorineun saramdeulgwa momeulEven if I try to brush past,
Aesseo budichyeodo oohthese stumbling people, ooh.
Nae mome baegyeotdeon bichamhameun jeonhyeoThe misery that’s soaked into my bones,
Sarajiji ana oh yeahjust won’t ever disappear, oh yeah.
Nado ara sesangeun doeryeoI know the world actually,
Soneul naemin geolreached its hand out to me.
Naega jom deo nareul anatdamyeonIf I’d just embraced myself a little more,
Huhoe ttawi eopseul tende yeahI wouldn’t have any regrets, yeah.
Haruga jinadoEven as the day passes,
Haruga jinado bameun gyesokdwaeyoeven after the day passes, the night continues.
Nae mamen bicheun eopgo chagawoman gayoThere’s no light in my heart, and it’s only getting colder.
Jeo haneurui dareun nareul biutgoseonThe moon up in the sky mocks me,
Nollimyeo boran deut nopi tteoollayorising high as if to laugh in my face.
Amuri seulpeodo gamhi oerowodoNo matter how sad I am, or how lonely I feel,
Nae maeum gipeun gosen haega tteuji anchyothe sun won’t ever rise deep inside my heart.
Eonjenga nae mami dasi balgaogilI keep wishing for my heart to brighten again,
Baragon hajiman jeonhyeo gamangeopjyobut there’s absolutely no hope at all.
극야불명 (Kyokuya Fumei) Music Video
This track offers a powerful look at urban alienation. The English lyrics of ‘Kyokuya Fumei’ trace a journey of internal regret.