Red Velvet’s “One of These Nights” is a melancholic R&B ballad about heartbreak, longing, and the hope of reuniting with a loved one whether in dreams or in the afterlife. The song explores deep, universal grief through the lens of both traditional folklore and a tragic real-world tragedy.

Song Credits

  • Artist: Red Velvet
  • Album: The Velvet
  • Released: March 16, 2016
  • Length: 4:22
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Lyrics: Seo Ji-eum (Jam Factory)
  • Composers: Hwang Chan-hee, Andreas Öberg, and Maria Marcus

Red Velvet “One Of These Nights” Official MV

Red Velvet “One Of These Nights” Lyrics

Hangul

그냥 꿈에서 깬 것뿐이야
또 다시 까마득한 저 슬픈 별 하나
잘 가, 서툴게 인사하고
뒤돌아서 오는 길은 참 멀기도 하다

같은 시간에 (just for a minute)
같은 공간에 (stay for a minute)
그 짧았던 순간 모든 게
너와 날 위해 멈춰있던 그 순간
왜 그게 기적인 걸 몰랐을까?

오래된 story와 그 날에 멈춘 나
사랑한 시간보다 더 오래 이별하는 중인걸
은하수 너머에 아득히 먼 곳에
하얀 우리의 기억을 건너는 나
꿈속이라도 괜찮으니까

우리 다시 만나
One of these nights
우리 다시 만나
One of these nights

Oh, 난 서둘러 잊지 못해
달력을 넘겨도 난 늘 제자리니까

너의 눈빛에 (just for a minute)
스친 손끝에 (stayfor a minute)
그 짧았던 순간 모든 게
너와 날 위해 멈춰있던 그 순간
난 그 때 반짝이게 된 것 같아

오래된 story와 그 날에 멈춘 나
사랑한 시간보다 더 오래 이별하는 중인걸
은하수 너머에 아득히 먼 곳에
하얀 우리의 기억을 건너는 나
꿈속이라도 괜찮으니까

Baby, one of these days
One of these years
기다림은 내겐 사소한 일일 뿐인 걸

오래된 story와 그 날에 멈춘 나
사랑한 시간보다 더 오래 이별하는 중인걸
은하수 너머에 아득히 먼 곳에
하얀 우리의 기억을 건너는 나
꿈속이라도 괜찮으니까

우리 다시 만나
One of these nights
우리 다시 만나
One of these nights

Romanized

Geunyang kkumeseo kkaen geoppuniya
Tto dasi kkamadeukhan jeo seulpeun byeol hana

Jal ga seotulge insahago
Dwidoraseo oneun gireun cham meolgido hada

Gateun sigane just for a minute
Gateun gonggane stay for a minute
Geu jjalpadeon sungan
Modeun ge neowa nal wihae meomchwoitdeon geu sungan
Wae geuge gijeogin geol mollasseulkka

Oraedoen storywa geu nare meomchun na
Saranghan siganboda deo orae ibyeolhaneun jungingeol
Eunhasu neomeoe adeukhi meon gose
Hayan uriui gieogeul geonneoneun na
Kkumsogirado gwaenchanheunikka

Uri dasi manna one of these nights
Uri dasi manna one of these nights

Oh nan seodulleo ijji mothae
Dallyeogeul neomgyeodo nan neul jejarinikka

Neoui nunbicche just for a minute
Seuchin sonkkeute stay for a minute
Geu jjalpadeon sungan
Modeun ge neowa nal wihae meomchwoitdeon geu sungan
Nan geu ttae banjjagige doen geot gata

Oraedoen storywa geu nare meomchun na
Saranghan siganboda deo orae ibyeolhaneun jungingeol
Eunhasu neomeoe adeukhi meon gose
Hayan uriui gieogeul geonneoneun na
Kkumsogirado gwaenchanheunikka

Baby one of these days
One of these years
Gidarimeun naegen sasohan iril ppunin geol

Oraedoen storywa geu nare meomchun na
Saranghan siganboda deo orae ibyeolhaneun jungingeol
Eunhasu neomeoe adeukhi meon gose
Hayan uriui gieogeul geonneoneun na
Kkumsogirado gwaenchanheunikka

Uri dasi manna one of these nights
Uri dasi manna one of these nights

Translation

It’s just me waking from a dream
That one star, that has become dark again
Goodbye, I greet it clumsily
I turn and say, today’s road is so long

In the same time span, just for a minute
In the same space, stay for a minute
In that short moment, everything
Stops for us, in that moment
Why did we not know that was a miracle?

I, who stopped that day with this old story
I’m spending more time away than when I loved you
Beyond the Milky Way, in a distant, far away place
I, who cross our white memories
Since at least, even in dreams, it’s okay

Let’s meet again, one of these nights
Let’s meet again, one of these nights

Oh, I can’t forget easily
Even if I turn the calendar, I’m still in the same place

In your gaze, just for a minute
Within brushed past fingertips, stay for a minute
In that short moment, everything
Stops for us, in that moment
I think I sparkled at that moment

I, who stopped that day with this old story
I’m spending more time away than when I loved you
Beyond the Milky Way, in a distant, far away place
I, who cross our white memories
Since at least, even in dreams, it’s okay

Baby, one of these days
One of these years
Waiting to me, is just a trivial daily routine

I, who stopped that day with this old story
I’m spending more time away than when I loved you
Beyond the Milky Way, in a distant, far away place
I, who cross our white memories
Since at least, even in dreams, it’s okay

Let’s meet again, one of these nights
Let’s meet again, one of these nights

Red Velvet “One Of These Nights” Meaning

“One of These Nights” by Red Velvet is a poignant ballad about loss, separation, and the hope of reuniting with someone who is no longer by your side. The lyrics express the pain of longing for a loved one while holding onto the belief that they may meet again someday, whether in dreams, memory, or another world.

A major inspiration behind the song is the Korean folktale of Jiknyeo and Gyeonwu, two star-crossed lovers separated by the Milky Way who are allowed to reunite only once a year during the Chilseok festival. This story serves as a powerful metaphor for enduring love and the sorrow of being apart from someone precious.

The song is also widely interpreted as a tribute to the victims of the Sewol Ferry Disaster. Through its emotional lyrics and symbolic music video imagery such as water, boats, and waiting the track reflects themes of grief, remembrance, and the desire to reconnect with those who have been lost.

Overall, “One of These Nights” is a deeply emotional reflection on love that transcends distance and time. It captures the universal experience of missing someone dearly while holding onto hope that one day, somehow, you will meet again.