Writer: Priyanka Padala (Hyderabad, Telangana, India)

Editor: Ankita Panda (Kolkata, West Bengal, India)

On a rainy evening, sitting by the window, lost in your thoughts, everything around you begins to blur. You wonder whether it is the rain or the tears in your eyes that make the world look hazy. With the remembrance of that special person, the struggle to forget them, and the longing to see them again, you would find yourself humming “For a while”.

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This sad yet beautiful song belongs to the mini-album EXHALE by one of the top Hallyu stars, Lee Joon-gi (이준기). Born on 17 April 1982, he is an actor, dancer, model, and singer. His EP EXHALE was released on 21 November 2014. It consists of the tracks “Ma Lady”, “U”, “For a While”, and “Bring Da Best”, along with the instrumental versions of “Ma Lady” and “For a While”.

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The song starts with a gentle piano melody that sends us down memory lane, followed by Lee Joon-gi’s voice softly filtering in. It is perfect for driving out all the chaos from our minds and setting the mood for the verses that follow. It is a song that comes from the heart of a broken soul. The opening sentences are directed towards that special person who we thought would always stay by our side. It reminds us of how they left and tried to erase all the memories of the moments spent together. 

“For a While” is not only about the sorrow we felt at their departure. It also talks about how we try to move on with our lives, but are still unable to let go of the past. The song manages to capture the immense love we have as we try to find the traces of the special person in the void they left.

yes, I tried to erase you

I tried to forget you

but you won’t get out of my memories

your seat has disappeared

in the empty place

I’m looking for your traces, if you see me

For a while

For a while

Can’t you be mine?

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Though the song frequently focuses on the agony of being abandoned, it doesn’t radiate any negative vibes. Many of us would resonate with it because all that we would want to say to our special one in such a situation is depicted very well, and that gives us a sense of relief; the mere thought that we aren’t alone in this misery helps us find solace. 

For a while

you were all mine

you stayed with me for a moment,

why do I long for you so much?

The repetition of the above lines indicates how desperate we are to turn back time. The moments may have been few, but the memories made were priceless. Our hearts long to experience them again, even if it’s just for a while. We wouldn’t consider the fact that we haven’t been together for ages because what truly matters are the memorable moments shared. 

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your last words were especially cold

as if our memories never existed

you said to erase it all, that I’ll be able to forget it

It is heartbreaking when we are asked to forget and erase them all. We just fall deeper for them. The song also reminds us about our last goodbyes and the way our loved ones became colder than winter.

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The lyrics beautifully express the pain of unrequited love. Apart from the lyrics, Lee Joon-gi’s soulful vocals enhance the song’s intensity. The way the song progresses at a slow pace with a gradual increase in pitch stirs us up emotionally. The ending of the song, with the following verse, reinforces the track’s melancholic and reflective atmosphere.

Like an old habit

Can I hold you again?

For a while

Can’t you be mine?

The place you were in

can’t be erased.

It shows that we are willing to wait for them, as the emptiness left by them can never be filled by anyone else.

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Personally, I love slow-paced songs, and Lee Joon-gi is one of my favourite actors. So, “For a While” holds a tender spot in my heart. I’m glad to have come across it and am sure that it will always be on my playlist. If you haven’t listened to it yet, give it a try, and I’m positive that it will emotionally move you as well. 

Have you heard this song before? Do you have any other Lee Joon-gi song recommendations? Let us know in the comments!!