NCT Dream’s song “Graduation” is a bittersweet anthem of nostalgia, symbolizing both a farewell to their original school-age concept and a celebration of their growth. It captures the emotional journey of looking back on anxious, youthful days while stepping confidently into the future.

Song Credits

  • Artist: NCT DREAM
  • Album: Candy
  • Released: December 16, 2022
  • Length: 3:58
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Lyrics: KENZIE
  • Composer: KENZIE, Benjamin 55, JUNNY, Zayson

NCT DREAM “Graduation” Official MV

NCT DREAM “Graduation” Lyrics

Hangul

언제부터 일까 내 작은 생각들
영원히 네 곁에 머물 수 있을까
헤어짐이란
상상 못한 남의 얘기들
어떤 순간 날 얼어붙게 해

시간이 가는 게
싫을 만큼 따스했던
반짝인 웃음 그리고 눈물
누군가를 믿기 힘들 때
항상 같은 자리에서
날 위해 서 있어 준 너

이제 난 그만 졸업하려고 해
불안해하던 그 많은 날을
기억해 이 벅찬 감정

손 흔들어 안녕
마지막 인사하고
돌아서면
날 기다린 세상으로 가
미지의 별
동경했던 여행을 시작할 때
My Graduation 그 첫걸음
많이 행복하게 될 거야

지금 이 기분을 네게
전해야 할 텐데
마음이 조급해 yeah
마치 눈보라 속 길을 밝히는 불
그래 너만을 보고 걸어온 거야

모두 변해도
나의 세상 끝에 남은 너
얼어붙어도
저 은하수 녹일 거야
우린 하얀 외계인 둘러봐
지금 우리 둘 뿐야

왜 언제나 부족한 것만 같던
어쩔 줄 모르던
오래전 내 안의 그 작은 어른
낯선 걸음 그리고 더 멀리
막연했었던 질문들
답을 쫓아가

외로이 돌던 Planet
길 잃은 밤의 공기
잡은 순간 흩어지던
창백한 푸른빛
나 걷는 길 홀로
외롭지 않다고
그 끝엔 네가 서 있어

길었던 밤을 떠나보내려 해
너의 사랑을 너무 잘 아니까
더는 두렵지가 않아

손 흔들어 안녕
마지막 인사하고
돌아서면
날 기다린 세상으로 가
미지의 별
동경했던 여행을 시작할 때
My Graduation 그 첫걸음
많이 행복하게 될 거야

이제 나는 단단히 서
너를 감싸 안아 줄 거야
천천히 더 커져가
담을 것들 가득한 세상
영원이란 걸 꿈꾸지는 않아
지금을 빛나게 하면 돼

마지막 한번 안아준 뒤에
훨훨 보내주려 해
캄캄한 밤들
기억해
It’s only us ah yeah

손 흔들어 안녕
마지막 인사하고
돌아서면
날 기다린 세상으로 가
미지의 별
동경했던 여행을 시작할 때
My Graduation 그 첫걸음
많이 행복하게 될

모두 떠나보낸 그다음 남은 건
따스한 손의 온기 그리고 우리

Romanized

Eonjebuteo ilkka nae jageun saenggakdeul
Yeongwonhi ne gyeote meomul su isseulkka
Heeojimiran
Sangsang mothan namui yaegideul
Eotteon sungan nal eoreobutge hae

Sigani ganeun ge
Sileul mankeum ttaseuhaetdeon
Banjjagin useum geurigo nunmul
Nugungareul mitgi himdeul ttae
Hangsang gateun jarieseo
Nal wihae seo isseo jun neo

Ije nan geuman joreoparyeogo hae
Buranhaehadeon geu maneun nareul
Gieokae i beokchan gamjeong

Son heundeureo annyeong
Majimak insahago
Doraseomyeon
Nal gidarin sesangeuro ga
Mijiui byeol
Donggyeonghaetdeon yeohaengeul sijakal ttae
My Graduation geu cheotgeoreum
Mani haengbokage doel geoya

Jigeum i gibuneul nege
Jeonhaeya hal tende
Maeumi jogeupae yeah
Machi nunbora sok gireul balkineun bul
Geurae neomaneul bogo georeoon geoya

Modu byeonhaedo
Naui sesang kkeute nameun neo
Eoreobuteodo
Jeo eunhasu nogil geoya
Urin hayan oegyein dulleobwa
Jigeum uri dul ppunya

Wae eonjena bujokan geonman gatdeon
Eojjeol jul moreudeon
Oraejeon nae anui geu jageun eoreun
Natseon georeum geurigo deo meolli
Mangnyeonhaesseotdeon jilmundeul
Dabeul jjochaga

Oeroi doldeon Planet
Gil ileun bamui gonggi
Jabeun sungan heuteojideon
Changbaekan pureunbit
Na geonneun gil hollo
Oeropji antago
Geu kkeuten nega seo isseo

Gireotdeon bameul tteonabonaeryeo hae
Neoui sarangeul neomu jal anikka
Deoneun duryeopjiga ana

Son heundeureo annyeong
Majimak insahago
Doraseomyeon
Nal gidarin sesangeuro ga
Mijiui byeol
Donggyeonghaetdeon yeohaengeul sijakal ttae
My Graduation geu cheotgeoreum
Mani haengbokage doel geoya

Ije naneun dandanhi seo
Neoreul gamssa ana jul geoya
Cheoncheonhi deo keojyeoga
Dameul geotdeul gadeukan sesang
Yeongwoniran geol kkumkkujineun ana
Jigeumeul binnage hamyeon dwae

Majimak hanbeon anajun dwie
Hwolhwol bonaejuryeo hae
Kamkamhan bamdeul
Gieokae
It’s only us ah yeah

Son heundeureo annyeong
Majimak insahago
Doraseomyeon
Nal gidarin sesangeuro ga
Mijiui byeol
Donggyeonghaetdeon yeohaengeul sijakal ttae
My Graduation geu cheotgeoreum
Mani haengbokage doel

Modu tteonabonaen geudaeum nameun geon
Ttaseuhan sonui ongi geurigo uri

Translation

When did it start, my small thoughts
Can I stay by your side forever?
Separation is like
other people’s stories, that I couldn’t even imagine
At some point, it made me freeze up

Time passing
Sparkling smiles and tears
that were so warm I hated them
When it was hard to believe in someone,
You, who stood there for me
always, in the same place

Now, I’m about to graduate
These numerous days that made me nervous
Remember this overwhelming feeling

I wave my hand goodbye
And share our last farewell
If I turn around,
I’ll go to the world waiting for me
An unknown star
When I start this journey I longed for,
My Graduation, that first step
will bring lots of happiness

I should tell you
how I feel right now
I’m impatient about it, yeah
Just like a fire lighting the way through a snowstorm
That’s right, I walked here while looking at you

Even if everything changes
What’s left at the end of my earth is you
Even if it freezes
I’ll melt the milky way
We’re white aliens, look around
Right now, it’s just us two

Always feeling inadequate somehow,
not knowing what to do
That was the little adult in me long ago
Unfamiliar steps, along with
unfamiliar questions that took me further
I look for their answers

The lonely Planet spinning along
The night air that lost its way
The pale blue light
that scattered as soon as I grabbed it
The road I’m walking alone
is not lonely
You are standing at the end

I’m going to leave this long night
Since I know all too well that you love me
I am no longer afraid

I wave my hand goodbye
And share our last farewell
If I turn around,
I’ll go to the world waiting for me
An unknown start
When I start this journey I longed for,
My Graduation, that first step
will bring lots of happiness

Now I stand unwavering on my feet
I’ll wrap you up in my embrace
Slowly grow bigger,
This world full of things we’ll save
I don’t dream of forever
Just shining right now is enough

After our last embrace
I’ll try to let you flutter away
Those dark nights
Remember
It’s only us ah yeah

I wave my hand goodbye
And share our last farewell
If I turn around,
I’ll go to the world waiting for me
An unknown start
When I start this journey I longed for,
My Graduation, that first step
will bring lots of happiness

What’s left after everything passes
are the warmth of our hands, and us

NCT DREAM “Graduation” Meaning

NCT DREAM’s “Graduation” is a heartfelt and nostalgic song about growth, change, and moving forward while cherishing the memories that shaped you. Released on the Candy EP, the track reflects both the members’ personal journey and the group’s unique history, making it one of NCT DREAM’s most meaningful songs.

At its core, “Graduation” symbolizes the transition from youth to adulthood. The lyrics look back on moments of uncertainty, dreams, and growing pains, acknowledging how far the members have come since their debut. Rather than dwelling on the past, the song celebrates the lessons learned and the bonds formed along the way.

The track also carries special significance because of NCT DREAM’s original graduation system. When the group debuted, members were expected to leave upon reaching adulthood, creating years of uncertainty for both the members and fans. Although that system was eventually abolished and the group became a permanent unit, “Graduation” serves as a symbolic farewell to that chapter of their story and the youth-centered concept that defined their early years.

Ultimately, “Graduation” is not about saying goodbye it is about embracing new beginnings. The song conveys an optimistic message that growing up can be both emotional and exciting, encouraging listeners to move confidently into the future while keeping precious memories close to their hearts.