“To Be Honest” by KAI is an R&B-pop track about desiring emotional vulnerability and open communication in a relationship. The lyrics explore the protagonist’s longing for their partner to drop their defenses, be entirely transparent, and share their genuine feelings.

Song Credits

  • Artist: KAI
  • Album: Peaches
  • Released: November 30, 2021
  • Length: 2:53
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Lyrics: Mola
  • Composition: Blaq Tuxedo, Dewain Whitmore Jr.

KAI “To Be Honest” Official Audio

KAI “To Be Honest” Lyrics

Hangul

손 내밀면 금세 네게 닿을 듯
다가와 넌 가끔 내게 선뜻
그리고 그 순간
한 발짝 물러나

내가 다시 다가가려 하면
넌 마치 내게 무슨 일 있었냔 듯
시선은 저 멀리
아닌 척하는지

아무렇지 않은척해도
감춰지지 않아
너의 맘을 알아
넌 자꾸 내게 올 듯
다가올 듯
그대로잖아

Baby 나는 단지
어떤 말도 아닌
솔직한 너의 마음을 원해
애매한 우리 사이
정해줄 그 한 마디
이 순간 우린 Need to be honest

이리저리 아무리 재 봤자
계산기를 두드려대봤자
지금 내 눈빛보다
분명한 답은 없어

단언컨대 너와 내 머릿속은
펼쳐보면 데칼코마니인 듯
서로 같은 생각을 그리는 중
겉으로만 표현 안 했을 뿐

아무것도 모른척해도
숨겨지지 않아
너의 맘을 알아
넌 자꾸 좁혀질 듯
좁혀질 듯
틈을 남겨 놔

Baby 나는 단지
어떤 말도 아닌
솔직한 너의 마음을 원해
애매한 우리 사이
정해줄 그 한 마디
이 순간 우린 Need to be honest

It’s true
너의 생각보다 더
우린 이미 가까운 걸
이 순간 내 맘을
느낄 수 있게

Baby 너는 이미
안다 해도 굳이
내 맘을 확인시켜주려 해
애매한 우리 사이
정해줄 그 한 마디
이 순간 우린 Need to be honest

Romanized

Son naemilmyeon geumse nege daeul deut
Dagawa neon gakkeum naege seontteut
Geurigo geu sungan
Han baljjak mulleona

Naega dasi dagagaryeo hamyeon
Neon machi naege museun il isseonnyan deut
Siseoneun jeo meolli
Anin cheokaneunji

Amureochi aneuncheokaedo
Gamchwojiji ana
Neoui mameul ara
Neon jakku naege ol deut
Dagaol deut
Geudaerojana

Baby naneun danji
Eotteon maldo anin
Soljikan neoui maeumeul wonhae
Aemaehan uri sai
Jeonghaejul geu han madi
I sungan urin Need to be honest

Irijeori amuri jae bwatja
Gyesangireul dudeuryeodaebwatja
Jigeum nae nunbitboda
Bunmyeonghan dabeun eopseo

Daneonkeondae neowa nae meoritsogeun
Pyeolchyeobomyeon dekalkomaniin deut
Seoro gateun saenggageul geurineun jung
Geoteuroman pyohyeon an haesseul ppun

Amugeotdo moreuncheokaedo
Sumgyeojiji ana
Neoui mameul ara
Neon jakku jopyeojil deut
Jopyeojil deut
Teumeul namgyeo nwa

Baby naneun danji
Eotteon maldo anin
Soljikan neoui maeumeul wonhae
Aemaehan uri sai
Jeonghaejul geu han madi
I sungan urin Need to be honest

It’s true
Neoui saenggakboda deo
Urin imi gakkaun geol
I sungan nae mameul
Neukkil su itge

Baby neoneun imi
Anda haedo guji
Nae mameul hwaginsikyeojuryeo hae
Aemaehan uri sai
Jeonghaejul geu han madi
I sungan urin Need to be honest

Translation

As if I could reach you the second I stretch out my hand,
Sometimes you suddenly come so close to me
And then, at that exact moment,
You take a single step backward

When I try to step closer to you again,
You act as if absolutely nothing happened,
Fixing your gaze far off into the distance—
Are you just pretending it’s nothing?

Even if you act like it’s no big deal,
It can’t be hidden,
I already know how you feel
You look like you’re constantly about to come to me,
Like you’re just about to step closer,
But you stay exactly where you are

Baby, I simply—
Instead of any generic words—
Just want your honest, true feelings
This ambiguous, blurry space between us—
That one single word that will finally define it,
At this exact moment, we need to be honest

No matter how much you weigh things back and forth,
No matter how much you keep tapping away on a calculator,
Right now, compared to the look in my eyes,
There is no answer clearer than this

I can say with absolute certainty that your head and mine,
If we were to unfold them, it’s like a perfect decalcomania
We’re in the middle of sketching out the exact same thoughts,
It’s just that we haven’t expressed it on the outside yet

Even if you pretend you don’t know a single thing,
It can’t be concealed,
I already know how you feel
You look like you’re constantly about to narrow the distance,
About to close the gap,
Yet you still leave a tiny space open

Baby, I simply—
Instead of any generic words—
Just want your honest, true feelings
This ambiguous, blurry space between us—
That one single word that will finally define it,
At this exact moment, we need to be honest

It’s true
Even more than you think,
We are already incredibly close
So that at this exact moment,
You can physically feel my heart

Baby, even though you already
Know exactly how I feel, you still insist
On making me confirm my heart to you out loud
This ambiguous, blurry space between us—
That one single word that will finally define it,
At this exact moment, we need to be honest

KAI “To Be Honest” Meaning

Kai’s “To Be Honest” is a smooth R&B-pop song about emotional openness, trust, and the desire for genuine communication in a relationship. Through its warm and intimate lyrics, the track explores the longing to connect with someone on a deeper level by encouraging them to reveal their true feelings.

At its core, the song is about vulnerability. Kai expresses a wish for his partner to stop hiding behind emotional barriers and speak honestly about what is on their mind. Rather than settling for surface-level interactions, he seeks a relationship built on sincerity and mutual understanding.

Another important theme is authentic connection. The lyrics suggest that real intimacy can only develop when both people are willing to be transparent with one another. By moving beyond uncertainty and unspoken emotions, the relationship can grow stronger and more meaningful.

The song also carries a reassuring message. Rather than demanding honesty, Kai approaches the situation with warmth and patience, letting his partner know that it is safe to open up. This comforting tone highlights the trust and security needed for a healthy relationship to flourish.

Ultimately, “To Be Honest” is a heartfelt song about breaking down emotional walls and embracing honest communication. Through its gentle R&B sound and sincere lyrics, Kai emphasizes that true closeness begins when people feel comfortable being completely themselves.