“Day By Day” by JOY (Red Velvet) is an emotional R&B ballad from her 2021 album Hello, detailing the journey of healing from past heartbreak to embrace a new love. The song focuses on overcoming fear, taking things slow, and opening one’s heart again, with lyrics promising to show affection “little by little” each day.

Song Credits

  • Artist: JOY
  • Album: Hello
  • Released: May 31, 2021
  • Length: 4:10
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Composer: Shim Sang-won
  • Lyrics: Yoon Sa-rah

JOY “Day By Day” Live Video

JOY “Day By Day” Lyrics

Hangul

조심스레 다가오는 널
처음으로 알게 됐던 날
기쁨 대신 한숨에
며칠 밤을 새웠었지

아주 오래 걸릴지 몰라
누군가 받아들이긴
아직 부족한 날
알아주겠니

너무 소중했던 사람이
떠나버린 후로
사랑할 수 없다고
난 믿어왔는데
나의 상처까지도
안아주는 널 위해

매일 조금씩 보여줄게
내일 조금 더 친해질 거야
지금 내 모습 이대로는
너를 사랑하긴 모자라
나의 마음 모두 너에게
내어 줄 수 있도록
준비하는 날
기다려주겠니

다시 너를 잃지 않을까
두려운 생각이 앞서
선뜻 너에게
다가설 수 없고

떠난 그의 생각 때문에
아직 눈물 많아
네 앞에서 운 적도
난 많았었는데
그런 나의 눈물도
닦아주는 널 위해

매일 조금씩 보여줄게
내일 조금 더 친해질 거야
지금 내 모습 이대로는
너를 사랑하긴 모자라
나의 마음 모두 너에게
내어 줄 수 있도록
준비하는 날
기다려주겠니

다만 이것만은 기억해
많이 힘들던 날들에
지친 내 맘 열어준 사랑
너 하나였다는 걸

너의 커다란 사랑만큼
아니 그보다 잘해줄 거야
지금 네 모습 그대로만
그냥 편안히 날 지켜봐
고이 아껴둔 내 사랑이
네게 전해지는 날
그때 말할게 널 사랑한다고
준비하는 날 기다려주겠니

I need your love

Romanized

Josimseure dagaoneun neol
Cheoeumeuro alge dwaetdeon nal
Gippeum daesin hansume
Myeochil bameul saewosseotji

Aju orae geollilji molla
Nugunga badadeurigin
Ajik bujokan nal
Arajugenni

Neomu sojunghaetdeon sarami
Tteonabeorin huro
Saranghal su eopdago
Nan mideowanneunde
Naui sangcheokkajido
Anajuneun neol wihae

Maeil jogeumssik boyeojulge
Naeil jogeum deo chinhaejil geoya
Jigeum nae moseup idaeroneun
Neoreul saranghagin mojara
Naui maeum modu neoege
Naeeo jul su itdorok
Junbihaneun nal
Gidaryeojugenni

Dasi neoreul ilchi aneulkka
Duryeoun saenggagi apseo
Seontteut neoege
Dagaseol su eopgo

Tteonan geuui saenggak ttaemune
Ajik nunmul mana
Ne apeseo un jeokdo
Nan manasseonneunde
Geureon naui nunmuldo
Dakkajuneun neol wihae

Maeil jogeumssik boyeojulge
Naeil jogeum deo chinhaejil geoya
Jigeum nae moseup idaeroneun
Neoreul saranghagin mojara
Naui maeum modu neoege
Naeeo jul su itdorok
Junbihaneun nal
Gidaryeojugenni

Daman igeonmaneun gieokae
Mani himdeuldeon naldeure
Jichin nae mam yeoreojun sarang
Neo hanayeotdaneun geol

Neoui keodaran sarangmankeum
Ani geuboda jalhaejul geoya
Jigeum ne moseup geudaeroman
Geunyang pyeonanhi nal jikyeobwa
Goi akkyeodun nae sarangi
Nege jeonhaejineun nal
Geuttae malhalge neol saranghandago
Junbihaneun nal gidaryeojugenni

I need your love

Translation

The day I first got to know you
Who carefully approach me
Instead of joy,
I spent many nights with deep sighs

It might take a while
Will you understand me?
I’m still not ready
To accept someone else

Since my precious love
Is gone
I thought that
I would never love again
This is for you who
Will embrace even my wounds

I will show you little by little each day
Tomorrow, we will become a bit close
My current state
Isn’t enough to love you
So that I can give you
All of my heart
Will you wait for me
As I get ready?

Fearful thought of
Losing you keep going forward
So I can’t
Clearly approach you

There are still many tears
For the love that left
You have witnessed
My tears many times
This is to you
Who wiped away my tears, day by day

I will show you little by little each day
Tomorrow, we will become a bit closer
My current state
Isn’t enough to love you
So that I can give you
All of my heart
Will you wait for me
As I get ready?

Just remember this one thing
On days that were really hard
You were the only one
Who opened my exhausted heart

As much as your big love
No, more than that, I will treat you well
Just comfortably watch over me
As you are right now
The day when my saved up love
Will be expressed to you
Then I will tell you that I love you
Will you wait for me as I get ready?

I need your love

JOY “Day By Day” Meaning

“Day By Day” by JOY is a heartfelt R&B ballad about healing from past heartbreak and slowly learning to love again. Originally released by As One in 1999, JOY’s remake brings a warm and emotional interpretation of vulnerability, patience, and emotional recovery.

The song tells the story of someone who has been hurt before and feels afraid to open their heart again. However, through the kindness and patience of a new person who accepts their emotional scars, they gradually begin to trust love once more.

The phrase “Day By Day” symbolizes taking emotional steps slowly instead of rushing into a relationship. The lyrics express a promise to become closer little by little, showing affection carefully while overcoming fear and uncertainty.

With JOY’s soft vocals and the song’s gentle R&B sound, “Day By Day” delivers a comforting message about healing, gratitude, and finding the courage to love again at your own pace.