DOYOUNG’s single album title track “Promise” (also known as Late Words) is a deeply personal, heartfelt fan-appreciation ballad. Co-written by DOYOUNG himself, the song serves as a belated but sincere confession to his fans, expressing the deep love, gratitude, and apologies he often struggled to put into words.

Song Credits

  • Artist: DOYOUNG
  • Album: Promise
  • Released: December 19, 2025
  • Length: 3:32
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Lyrics: DOYOUNG, Cecilia Linnea Nykvist, Niklas Jarelius Persson, and WILJAM
  • Composers: Niklas Jarelius Persson, WILJAM, and Cecilia Linnéa Nykvist

DOYOUNG “Promise” Official MV

DOYOUNG “Promise” Lyrics

Hangul

사랑해 이 한마디
어려워 주지 못한 채
함께 걸었던 시간을 멈추려는 게
후회로 남아 오늘도

내겐 너란 그 계절 없었더라면
꽃 피던 순간도 끝내 몰랐을 거야
내겐 너뿐이니까
하고픈 말이 많아
좀 더 늦기 전에
이제는 모두 전할게

널 사랑해라는 그 말
너 없인 안 된다는 말
내겐 다 처음이라서
참고 아껴왔는데
조금 늦었단 걸 알지만
이제는 말하고 싶어
기다려줘서 고마워
사랑해 너를 사랑해

내 실수였나 봐
내 고집이었나 봐
오 날 바라보는 널
놓쳤나 봐
미련하게
후회는 날이 지날수록 더 커져만 가
못다 한 그 마음에
널 잃을까 두려워

널 사랑해라는 그 말
너 없인 안 된다는 말
내겐 다 처음이라서
참고 아껴왔는데
조금 늦었단 걸 알지만
이제는 말하고 싶어
기다려줘서 고마워
사랑해 너를 사랑해

Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh

함께 걷던 시간 속에
네가 새긴 흔적들은
지워지지 않을 테니까

날 품에 안아주는 게
늘 바랬던 일이라고
수없이 말해준 네게
내 맘 모두 전할래

널 사랑해라는 그 말 (Ooh)
영원을 약속한단 말
항상 내 곁에 있어 줘 (Ooh)
이 맘 전할 수 있게
조금 늦었단 걸 알지만
이제는 말하고 싶어 (이제는 말하고 싶어)
영원히 변하지 않아
사랑해 오직 너만을

사랑해 이 한마디
너에게 남겨놓은 채
함께 걸었던 시간을 잠시 멈추고
기다릴게 오늘도

Romanized

Saranghae i hanmadi
Eoryeowo juji mothan chae
Hamkke georeotdeon siganeul meomchuryeoneun ge
Huhoero nama oneuldo

Naegen neoran geu gyejeol eopseotdeoramyeon
Kkot pideon sungando kkeunnae mollasseul geoya
Naegen neoppuninikka
Hagopeun mari mana
Jom deo neutgi jeone
Ijeneun modu jeonhalge

Neol saranghaeraneun geu mal
Neo eopsin an doendaneun mal
Naegen da cheoeumiraseo
Chamgo akkyeowanneunde
Jogeum neujeotdan geol aljiman
Ijeneun malhago sipeo
Gidaryeojwoseo gomawo
Saranghae neoreul saranghae

Nae silsuyeonna bwa
Nae gojibieonna bwa
O nal baraboneun neol
Nochyeonna bwa
Miryeonhage
Huhoeneun nari jinalsurok deo keojyeoman ga
Motda han geu maeume
Neol ileulkka duryeowo

Neol saranghaeraneun geu mal
Neo eopsin an doendaneun mal
Naegen da cheoeumiraseo
Chamgo akkyeowanneunde
Jogeum neujeotdan geol aljiman
Ijeneun malhago sipeo
Gidaryeojwoseo gomawo
Saranghae neoreul saranghae

Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Hamkke geotdeon sigan soge
Nega saegin heunjeokdeureun
Jiwojiji aneul tenikka

Nal pume anajuneun ge
Neul baraetdeon irirago
Sueopsi malhaejun nege
Nae mam modu jeonhallae

Neol saranghaeraneun geu mal (Ooh)
Yeongwoneul yaksokandan mal
Hangsang nae gyeote isseo jwo (Ooh)
I mam jeonhal su itge
Jogeum neujeotdan geol aljiman
Ijeneun malhago sipeo (ijeneun malhago sipeo)
Yeongwonhi byeonhaji ana
Saranghae ojik neomaneul

Saranghae i hanmadi
Neoege namgyeonoeun chae
Hamkke georeotdeon siganeul jamsi meomchugo
Gidarilge oneuldo

Translation

Just one word “I love you”
But I was too afraid to let it out
We walked together side by side, I tried to hold that moment in time
And I still regret it to this day

That season you became to me
If it never came at all
I’d have never known
How flowers bloom
Cause for me, there’s only you
So many words I want to say
Before it’s too late
I’ll tell you everything

The words, “I love you”
And “I can’t live without you”
They were all so new to me
So I wanted to keep them to myself
I know it’s a bit too late
But now I’ve gotta say
Thank you for waiting for me
Love you, I love you

Maybe it was my mistake
Maybe it was my pride
I must have lost your eyes on me
So foolishly
Regret grows heavier
Every other day
For everything I couldn’t give to you
I’m afraid that I might lose you

The words, “I love you”
And “I can’t live without you”
They were all so new to me
So I wanted to keep them to myself
I know it’s a bit too late
But I now want to tell you
Thank you for waiting for me
Love you, I love you

Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh

In the time we walked together
The traces you left behind
Will never fade away

Holding me in your arms
Was what you’ve wished so long
You said to me so many times
And now I’ll let all my heart out

The words, “I love you” (Ooh)
The words that promise forever too
Always be here by my side (Ooh)
So my heart can reach you
I know it’s a bit too late
But now I’ve gotta say (But now I’ve gotta say)
My heart will never change
I love you, only you

Just one word, “I love you”
I’m leaving them here with you
That time we walked together, I’ll pause it for a moment
And still be waiting for you today

DOYOUNG “Promise” Meaning

“Promise” by DOYOUNG is a heartfelt ballad dedicated to his fans, expressing emotions that he found difficult to say out loud. The song serves as a sincere confession of gratitude, love, and appreciation for the people who have supported him throughout his journey.

A central theme is unspoken affection. The lyrics reveal how growing feelings of gratitude can sometimes become harder to express. Through the song, DOYOUNG finally shares the words and emotions he may have hesitated to say directly, creating an intimate and personal message for his listeners.

The track also offers comfort during a period of separation. Written as a meaningful gift before his military enlistment, “Promise” reassures fans that physical distance cannot weaken the bond they have built together. The memories they share will remain unchanged despite the passage of time.

Overall, “Promise” is a touching declaration of gratitude, loyalty, and enduring connection. It reminds listeners that genuine relationships can withstand distance and that heartfelt feelings, even when spoken late, still carry immense meaning.