Red Velvet’s “Take It Slow” (from their 2015 Ice Cream Cake EP) is a sweet, bright track about navigating a budding romance. The lyrics capture the tension between a guy acting surprisingly mature to impress her and the girl asking him to slow down because she is still a bit hesitant, though deep down she really likes him.

Song Credits

  • Artist: Red Velvet
  • Album: Ice Cream Cake
  • Released: March 17, 2015
  • Length: 3:31
  • Label: SM Entertainemt
  • Composers: G-High (MonoTree), Lee Joo-hyoung (MonoTree)
  • Lyricist: G-High (MonoTree), Lee Joo-hyoung (MonoTree)

Red Velvet “Take It Slow” Official Audio

Red Velvet “Take It Slow” Lyrics

Hangul

Ah, stop
Woo, take it slow

요즘 들어 남자다운 척인 건데 어쩜 (어쩜)
아직 어려 동생일 뿐이랬잖아 (잖아)
설마 너? (설마 너?)

갑자기 어른스러운 니 말투
귀여워 분위기만 이상해져
너는 이런 내가 싫겠지만
어리게만 보이는 걸 (걸)

Oh 나 있잖아 사실 말이야 싫지 않아
왜 자꾸만 나를 그런 눈으로 바라봐?
Oh 나 알잖아 쉽게 맘 안 여는 사람 (사람)
천천히 와줘 날 더 지켜 줘
아직 난 겁이나 take it slow

요즘 부쩍 잦아진 너의 연락 어쩜 (어쩜)
자꾸 말이 짧아지는 이유는 뭔데?
Don’t know why (don’t know why)

서툴게 진지한 척 하는 눈빛
귀여워 나도 몰래 웃음이 나
너는 이런 내가 싫겠지만
조금만 더 기다려 줘

잠깐 고민해볼게
천천히 널 보며 그리 어리지가 않아
진심인 것 같아 그래
이젠 내 맘 열어볼게 don’t let me down
달콤하게 떨린
내 입술만은 네게 보여줄게 (줄게)

Oh 나 있잖아 사실 말이야 싫지 않아
왜 자꾸만 나를 그런 눈으로 바라봐?
Oh 나 알잖아 쉽게 맘 안 여는 사람 (사람)
천천히 와줘 날 더 지켜 줘
아직 난 겁이나 take it slow

Ah, stop
Woo whoa ah take it slow (falling slowly)

Romanized

Ah stop
Woo take it slow

Yojeum deureo namjadaun cheogin geonde eojjeom
Ajik eoryeo dongsaengil ppuniraetjana
Seolma neo…?

Gapjagi eoreunseureoun ni maltu
Gwiyeoweo bunwigiman isanghaejeo
Neoneun ireon naega shilketjiman
Eorigeman boineun geol

Na itjana sashil mariya shilchi ana
Wae jakkuman nareul geureon nuneuro barabwa?
Na aljana shwipge mam an yeoneun saram
Cheoncheoni wajweo nal deo jikyeo jweo
Ajik nan geobina Take it slow

Yojeum bujjeok jajajin neoye yeollak eojjeom
Jakku mari jjalbajineun iyuneun mweonde?
Don’t know why

Seotulge jinjihan cheok haneun nunppit
Gwiyeoweo nado mollae useumi na
Neoneun ireon naega shilketjiman
Jogeumman deo gidaryeo jweo

Jamkkan gominhaebolkke
Cheoncheonhi neol bomyeo geuri eorijiga ana
Jinshimin geot gata geurae
Ijen nae mam yeoreobolkke Don’t let me down
Dalkomhage tteollin
Nae ipsulmaneun nege boyeojulkke

Na itjana sashil mariya shilchi ana
Wae jakkuman nareul geureon nuneuro barabwa?
Na aljana shwipge mam an yeoneun saram
Cheoncheonhi wajweo nal deo jikyeo jweo
Ajik nan geobina Take it slow

Ah stop (Whoa)
Woo take it slow (Falling slowly)

Translation

Ah stop
Woo take it slow

You’re trying to be really masculine these days
But you’re still young, you’re like a younger brother
But are you…?

You suddenly talk like an adult
It’s cute but it’s making things weird
Maybe you don’t like it when I’m like this
But I can only see you as young

Actually, to tell you the truth, I don’t hate it
Why do you keep giving me that look?
You know me, I don’t open my heart easily
Come to me slowly, protect me more
I’m still scared, take it slow

You’re calling me a lot more these days
You’re starting to talk to me informally these days
Don’t know why

You clumsily try to be serious
It’s cute and it makes me laugh without knowing
You probably don’t like it when I’m like this
But wait for me a little more

I’ll think about it for a bit
When I look at you, you don’t seem that young
I think you really mean it
I’ll try opening my heart now, don’t let me down
I want to show
My sweetly trembling lips only to you

Actually, to tell you the truth, I don’t hate it
Why do you keep giving me that look?
You know me, I don’t open my heart easily
Come to me slowly, protect me more
I’m still scared, take it slow

Ah stop
Woo take it slow (Falling slowly)

Red Velvet “Take It Slow” Meaning

“Take It Slow” by Red Velvet is a bright, youthful love song about the nervous excitement of a growing romance. The track captures the emotions of someone who likes another person deeply but still wants the relationship to develop gently and naturally instead of rushing too quickly.

One of the song’s main themes is hesitation in love. The lyrics repeatedly ask the other person to “take it slow,” reflecting feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability. Even though the narrator is attracted to him, she admits she is still scared and needs time to become more comfortable with her emotions.

Red Velvet ice cream cake

The song also playfully explores the dynamic between innocence and maturity. The male figure acts younger and playful at times, yet suddenly tries to appear mature and dependable to impress her. This contrast creates a cute tension throughout the lyrics, showing the awkward but exciting stage of early romance.

Musically, “Take It Slow” represents Red Velvet’s signature “Red” concept with its cheerful bubblegum pop sound, soft harmonies, and refreshing energy. The bright production perfectly matches the sweet, shy atmosphere of discovering new feelings while slowly opening up to love.