Bon Voyage, Season 3 RM’S Letter to RM: A Translation
Note: RM wrote this letter to himself in the last episode of Bon Voyage, Season 3. This season was filmed before Love Yourself: Answer was released in 2018. This letter should be read in conjunction with “Trivia 承: Love”.
To RM
안쓰럽다
I feel bad for you.
이런저런 것들에 치여 정작 즐겨야 할 때 즐기지를 못하는구나
When [you] run into this or that, you can’t seem to enjoy [it] when you actually should (enjoy it).
[Notes: The expression “run into” is used instead of “hit” to describe something that’s happened for ease of comprehension.]
솔직히 요즘은 자주 도망치고 싶은 것도 잘 알고 있잖아
Honestly, I know you often want to run away these days.
소중하게 여기던 것들이 더 이상 소중하지 않은 것처럼 느껴졌을 때
When you feel like the things you regarded dearly seem no longer dear,
그때가 그 어떤 것보다 무서웠을 거야
could anything be more frightening than that?
생각과 잡념이 많은 것도 운명이려니 하면서 지내고 있지만
While you’ve lived with a lot of thoughts and distractions that you supposed were fate,
명심해 너도 부러질 수 있다는 것을
keep in mind, you too can break.
그리고 인정하자
And let’s admit it,
인생이란 게 그냥 이런 건가 싶다
I wonder if this is just what life is like.
나는 이런 운명과 그릇을 갖고 태어났다고
I was born with this fate and talent.
[Notes: “Talent” over “bowl” or “container” is used for ease of comprehension.]
스스로에게 짐이 아니라 힘을 실어주자
Let’s load for yourself strength and not baggage.
여기 있는 모두가 제각기 마음에 크고 작은 모서리들이 있을 거야
Every one of us here has big and small edges in our hearts.
[Notes: RM used the same word “모서리” in Trivia: Love when referring to how a 사람 (person)’s “edges” are transformed into 사랑 (love).]
아마 나는 원래 이런 모양이 될 운명이었던 것 같다
Perhaps I was originally fated to be shaped this way (it seems).
그냥 아마도
Just maybe
이 일주일 동안에도 솔직히 수없이 집과 한국을 생각했지만
during this week, though you honestly thought about home and Korea countless times,
진짜 집과 안식처는 그곳에 있지 않다는 걸 너는 잘 알고 있잖아
you know well that your real home and haven are not there.
[Notes: “Haven” to describe 안식처, but it could also be translated as “sanctuary”, “resting place”, “home”, or “refuge”.]
늦은 새벽에 혼자 작업실을 나와서 수없이 걷고 서성이며 생각했잖니
Didn’t you leave the studio alone, late at dawn, walking, pacing around, while thinking endlessly?
그래서 수고했다
So, you did a good job.
이 정도면 잘 버티고 한 어른으로서, 한 직업인으로서 잘 살아내고 있다고
You’ve hung in there well, as an adult, as a professional, you’re surviving well.
그냥 어깨를 탁탁 두드려 주고 싶다
I just want to pat you on your shoulder.
그리고 너무 걱정 마라
And don’t worry too much.
키가 커지면 그림자도 커지는 법이지만
Although it’s the rule that when you get taller, your shadow will also grow,
아직은 너는 키가 작아지고 싶은 사람이 아닌 걸 안다
I know that you’re not yet the kind of person who wants to get shorter.
너의 수고와 눈물을 나는 안다
I know your hard work and tears.
누가 몰라주고 다 알 수 없는 거라 해도 나는 진짜로 알고 있다
Who[ever may] fail to recognize, even if we say [they] can’t know everything, I really do know.
수고했다
Good job.
그리고 사랑한다. 그냥 많이
And I love you. Just a lot.
모든 방황이 사춘기처럼 널 지나쳐 가기를
May all these wanderings go past you like your adolescence.
남준이가
From Namjoon
Translation Alone
To RM
I feel bad for you. When [you] run into this or that, you can’t seem to enjoy [it] when you actually should (enjoy it). Honestly, I know you often want to run away these days. When you feel like the things you regarded dearly seem no longer dear, could anything be more frightening than that? While you’ve lived with a lot of thoughts and distractions that you supposed were fate, keep in mind, you too can break.
And let’s admit it, I wonder if this is just what life is like. I was born with this fate and talent. Let’s load for yourself strength and not baggage. Every one of us here has big and small edges in our hearts. Perhaps I was originally fated to be shaped this way (it seems). Just maybe during this week, though you honestly thought about home and Korea countless times, you know well that your real home and haven are not there. Didn’t you leave the studio alone, late at dawn, walking, pacing around, while thinking endlessly? So, you did a good job. You’ve hung in there well, as an adult, as a professional, you’re surviving well. I just want to pat you on your shoulder.
And don’t worry too much. Although it’s the rule that when you get taller, your shadow will also grow, I know that you’re not yet the kind of person who wants to get shorter. I know your hard work and tears. Who[ever may] fail to recognize, even if we say [they] can’t know everything, I really do know. Good job. And I love you. Just a lot.
May all these wanderings go past you like your adolescence.
From Namjoon
