Tokai presents a sad and sentimental track with Sway from the album Shining. The songwriter writes lyrics about a love that is drifting away. The musician brings a gentle melody to this story of clinging to hope.
Released: January 25, 2026
Sway
Tokai • From “Shining.”
Sway Lyrics Translation (from “Shining.”)
Kwak Taepung describes the painful helplessness of watching someone leave. He asks, ‘do you think I’ll ever be able to open them,’ referring to the locks on a shut heart. The author uses the image of a fading scent and distant echoes to show how love is disappearing.
Naega sireojyeotdan mareun haji maDon’t tell me that you’ve grown to hate me.
Annyeongiran maldo ani aniyaEven saying ‘goodbye’ is wrong, it’s just wrong.
Yeojeonhi naneun neoreul saranghanikkaBecause I still love you, just the same.
Geureon mareun haji ma yeahSo please, don’t say those words, yeah.
Naega neoui mameul mollasseonna bwaI guess I didn’t truly understand your heart,
Munje eopdago saenggakaenneundeI really thought everything was just fine.
Gutge dachin mamsok jamulsoedeureulBut these locks on your heart that’s shut so tight,
Naega yeol su isseulkkado you think I’ll ever be able to open them?
Neoui mami jeomjeom meoreojyeoganeundedoEven though your heart is drifting further away,
Eotteoke baraman bol su itgesseohow can I just stand here and watch it happen?
Naegen sojunghan neoindeYou’re someone so precious to me,
Babocheoreom nochil suneun eopseoand I can’t let you go like a fool.
Naega sireojyeotdan mareun haji maDon’t tell me that you’ve grown to hate me.
Annyeongiran maldo ani aniyaEven saying ‘goodbye’ is wrong, it’s just wrong.
Yeojeonhi naneun neoreul saranghanikkaBecause I still love you, just the same.
Geureon mareun haji ma yeahSo please, don’t say those words, yeah.
Doraseodeon neoui dwinmoseubeneunAs you turned your back and walked away,
Amu maldo hal suga eopseosseoI couldn’t find a single word to say.
Aesseo nama inneun neoui hyanggidoEven your scent, which I’m struggling to hold onto,
Geujeo nareul seuchyeogasimply brushes past me and fades.
Meoreojineun neoreul hyanghaeseo oechyeodoEven if I scream out to you as you drift away,
Dachi anneun sorideulman deo beonjyeogaonly the sounds that can’t reach you keep spreading.
Mearicheoreom doraoneunLike an echo returning back to me,
Nae oechimdeureun soyongeopseomy desperate cries are all in vain.
Naega sireojyeotdan mareun haji maDon’t tell me that you’ve grown to hate me.
Annyeongiran maldo ani aniyaEven saying ‘goodbye’ is wrong, it’s just wrong.
Yeojeonhi naneun neoreul saranghanikkaBecause I still love you, just the same.
JebalPlease.
Naega sireojyeotdan mareun haji maDon’t tell me that you’ve grown to hate me.
Annyeongiran maldo ani aniyaEven saying ‘goodbye’ is wrong, it’s just wrong.
Yeojeonhi naneun neoreul saranghanikkaBecause I still love you, just the same.
Geureon mareun haji maSo please, don’t say those words.
Naega mipgeon malgeon sireohaji maWhether you resent me or not, please don’t hate me.
Jinsimiran maldo ani aniyaDon’t tell me that this is how you truly feel.
Yeojeonhi nan neoreul saranghanikkaBecause I still love you, just the same.
Geureon mareun haji ma yeahSo please, don’t say those words, yeah.
Sway Music Video
Tokai crafts a powerful plea against a final goodbye. If you want to understand ‘Sway’, the lyrics ask a lover to stay despite the growing distance.