“Should Be” by Haechan is a 90s-inspired R&B ballad from his 2025 debut solo album, TASTE, focusing on themes of regret, heartbreak, and longing. It explores the “what ifs” of a broken relationship, featuring lyrics about missing someone, feeling pain, and wishing to turn back time, often highlighting a “should be here” sentiment.

Song Credits

  • Artist: Haechan
  • Album: Taste
  • Released: September 8, 2025
  • Length: 3:42
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Writer: DEEZ
  • Composer: DEEZ, FRZM

HAECHAN “Should Be” Official Audio

HAECHAN “Should Be” Lyrics

Hangul

Yeah, 어쩌면 달라졌을지 (maybe)
다른 takes, another 결말
어떤 말이 좀 덜 아팠을까? (For our)
드라마엔 하루도

찰나만 같던 우리 추억이
매일 꿈에 날 자꾸 껴안아서 (yeah)
애써 돌아서지 않았었담
내 옆 빈자린 너일까?

I can’t be done, 난 너완 달리 (why?)
아직도 널 비울 자신 없어, why? (Why?)
Do I want you back? 길었던 phrase의 끝에서
멍하니 반복해 또 dot, dot, dot

난 빌어 네 많은 밤이
나와 같기를, should be, should be hurt
Every day I cry (cry), but dry (dry)
이제 I know, should’ve never said bye

Oh, yeah, yeah
Yeah

남겨둔 네 이름이 적힐 to blank (to blank)
알아볼 수 없게 흐려진 words in tears
더는 입버릇처럼 못해, I
(Love you, baby, love you, baby) oh, yeah

둘만의 day에 홀로 anniversary
Wished “I do, I do, ” stupid story
Don’t make me fall in love
시간을 되돌릴 수 있담 우리

I can’t be done, 난 너완 달리
아직도 널 지울 자신 없어, why? (Why?)
Do I want you back? (Want you back?) 끝없는 maze의 꿈에서
다시 또 반복되는 run, run, run

난 빌어 네 많은 밤이
나와 같기를, should be, should be hurt
Every day I cry (cry), but dry (dry)
이제 I know, should’ve never said bye

지금 이런 내 모습이 네 마지막 같았기에
Even more, 휘몰아칠 듯한 너울에 잠기는 밤
영원하자던 약속 기억한다면, then you should be here
내 세상엔 없어, love is true, realized that was a lie

There’ll be none, 난 너완 달리 (why?)
너 외엔 채울 방법이 없어, how?
Can I take you back? (Somehow, baby) 반복될 page의 끝에서
(Bring me back) 멍하니 마침표만 dot, dot, dot (back)

또 빌어 수많은 별에
네게 닿기를, should be, should be we
Every day I pray (pray) and cry (cry)
아직도 난, could we ever be more?

Should be, yeah, yeah

Romanized

Yeah, Eojjeomyeon dallajyeosseulji (Maybe)
Dareun takes, another gyeolmal
Eotteon mari jom deol apasseulkka? (For our)
Deuramaen (harudo)
Challaman gatdeon uri chueogi
Maeil kkume nal jakku kkyeoanaseo
Aesseo doraseoji anasseotdam
Nae yeop binjarin neoilkka?

I can’t be done, nan neowan dalli (Why?)
Ajikdo neol biul jasin eopseo, why? (Why?)
Do I want you back? gireotdeon phraseui kkeuteseo
Meonghani banbokae tto dot, dot, dot
Nan bireo ne maneun bami nawa gatgireul
Should be, should be hurt?
Every day I cry but dry
Ije I know should’ve never said bye

Oh, yeah, yeah
Yeah

Namgyeodun ne ireumi jeokil to blank
Arabol su eopge heuryeojin, words in tears
Deoneun ipbeoreutcheoreom mothae I
(Love you, baby, love you, baby)
Dulmanui daye hollo anniversary
Wished “I do, I do,” stupid story
Don’t make me fall in love
Siganeul doedollil su itdam uri

I can’t be done, nan neowan dalli (Why?)
Ajikdo neol biul jasin eopseo, why? (Why?)
Do I want you back? gireotdeon phraseui kkeuteseo
Meonghani banbokae tto dot, dot, dot
Nan bireo ne maneun bami nawa gatgireul
Should be, should be hurt?
Every day I cry but dry
Ije I know should’ve never said bye

Jigeum ireon nae moseubi
Ne majimak gatatgie
Even more, hwimorachil deuthan
Neoure jamgineun bam
Yeongwonhajadeon yaksok gieokandamyeon
Then you should be here
Nae sesangen eopseo love is true
Realized that was a lie

There’ll be none, nan neowan dalli (Why?)
Neo oeen chaeul bangbeobi eopseo, how?
Can I take you back? banbokdoel pageui kkeuteseo (Somehow, baby)
Meonghani machimpyoman dot, dot, dot (Bring me back, back)
Tto bireo sumaneun byeore nege dakireul
Should be, should be we
Every day I pray and cry
Ajikdo nan could we ever be more?

Should be, yeah, yeah

Translation

Yeah, Maybe things could’ve been different
Different takes, another ending
What words would’ve hurt less?
In our drama
Not even a single day
Felt longer than a fleeting moment in our memories

You keep embracing me in my dreams every night
If I hadn’t tried so hard to turn away
Would the empty space beside me still be you?

I can’t be done, unlike you (Why?)
I still don’t have the strength to empty you from my heart, why?
Do I want you back? At the end of our long phrase
I blankly repeat again, dot, dot, dot
I pray that your many nights are like mine
Should be, should be hurt?
Every day I cry but dry
Now I know I should’ve never said goodbye

Oh, yeah, yeah
Yeah

The blank space left for your name
Words blurred by tears until they’re unreadable
I can’t even say it like a habit anymore
(I love you, baby, love you, baby)

On what used to be our special day, I’m alone on our anniversary
Wishing “I do, I do,” what a stupid story
Don’t make me fall in love
If we could turn back time

I can’t be done, unlike you (Why?)
I still don’t have the strength to empty you from my heart, why?
Do I want you back? At the end of our long phrase
I blankly repeat again, dot, dot, dot
I pray that your many nights are like mine
Should be, should be hurt?
Every day I cry but dry
Now I know I should’ve never said goodbye

The way I am right now
Felt like your final version of me
Even more, like a crashing wave
I drown in nights overwhelmed by emotions
If you still remember the promise that we’d last forever
Then you should be here
In my world, there’s no such thing as love is true
I realized that was a lie

There’ll be none, unlike you (Why?)
There’s no way to fill the space except with you, how?
Can I take you back? At the end of these repeating pages
I blankly leave only periods, dot, dot, dot
Again I pray to countless stars that my feelings reach you
Should be, should be we
Every day I pray and cry
Even now, could we ever be more?

Should be, yeah, yeah

HAECHAN “Should Be” Meaning

“Should Be” by Haechan is an emotional 90s-inspired R&B ballad about regret, heartbreak, and the lingering pain of a relationship that ended too soon. Filled with longing and vulnerability, the song captures the feeling of replaying memories while wondering how things could have been different.

At its core, “Should Be” revolves around the painful phrase “you should be here.” The lyrics reflect someone who still cannot fully let go of a past lover, haunted by absence and unfinished emotions. Rather than expressing anger, the song leans into sadness and nostalgia, portraying heartbreak as something quiet, lingering, and deeply personal.

A major theme throughout the track is the idea of “what if.” The narrator constantly questions whether the relationship could have survived if different choices had been made. This emotional uncertainty creates a bittersweet atmosphere where memories feel comforting and painful at the same time.

The lyrics also reveal a more vulnerable side of love. Lines wishing the other person feels the same pain emphasize emotional honesty rather than revenge. Instead of moving on confidently, the narrator admits they are still stuck in the emotional aftermath, unable to escape the memories they once cherished.

haechan taste

Musically, the nostalgic 90s R&B production strengthens the song’s emotional weight. Smooth melodies, soft instrumentals, and intimate vocals allow Haechan to showcase a rawer and more mature side of his artistry compared to the brighter, high-energy sound often associated with his group activities.

Ultimately, “Should Be” is a song about longing for a love that no longer exists holding onto memories, replaying regrets, and quietly wishing someone who left would still be standing beside you.