Sunmi’s “CYNICAL” poses the question, “WHY SO CYNICAL?” to those who face the world with a jaded outlook. Driven by an electronic synth riff and an irresistibly catchy chorus, the song amplifies SUNMI’s signature wit and ironic charm.

Song Credits

  • Artist: Sunmi
  • Album: HEART MAID
  • Released: November 5, 2025
  • Length: 2:35
  • Label: ABYSS
  • Writer: Sunmi, Lee Do Hee
  • Composer: Sunmi, Lee Do Hee

SUNMI’s “CYNICAL” Official MV

SUNMI’s “CYNICAL” Lyrics

Hangul

Ring, ring, 울려 퍼지는 symphony
Like the movie, ‘Oldboy’
내 심장을 cut out, you with me? (You hear me?)
Honey, I know you hear me (La-la, la-la)
표정 없이 입만 웃는 네 얼굴도
아무렇지도 않다는 그 말투도 (Slay)
Ooh, don’t you love me, boy?
I hate you, but I love you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
웃어, smile 이렇게
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
별나 왜 그렇게

기억나니? (나니? 나니?)
날 껴안고 불렀던 노래, hm
That’s not it, who that B?
아무렴 어때? Still, I love you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
웃어, smile 이렇게
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
별나 왜 그렇게

When the sun goes down, we’ll be together
When the sun goes up, we won’t wake up
웃어 보여줘 더 크게, baby
안그럼 나, I might kill you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
웃어, smile 이렇게

Who’s gonna get you? I really wanna get you
Let me be your misery, my love
Who’s gonna get you? If you run away, I’ll catch you
I really wanna get you, get you, get you (Ah)

Romanized

Ring, ring, ullyeo peojineun symphony
Like the movie, ‘Oldboy’
Nae simjangeul cut out, you with me? (You hear me?)
Honey, I know you hear me (La-la, la-la)
Pyojeong eopsi imman unneun ne eolguldo
Amureochido antaneun geu maltudo (Slay)
Ooh, don’t you love me, boy?
I hate you, but I love you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Useo, smile ireoke
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Byeolla wae geureoke

Gieongnani? (nani? nani?)
Nal kkyeoango bulleotdeon norae, hm
That’s not it, who that B?
Amuryeom eottae? Still, I love you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Useo, smile ireoke
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Byeolla wae geureoke

When the sun goes down, we’ll be together
When the sun goes up, we won’t wake up
Useo boyeojwo deo keuge, baby
Angeureom na, I might kill you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Useo, smile ireoke

Who’s gonna get you? I really wanna get you
Let me be your misery, my love
Who’s gonna get you? If you run away, I’ll catch you
I really wanna get you, get you, get you (Ah)

Translation

Ring, ring, the symphony echoes through the air
Like the movie Oldboy
Cut out my heart, you with me? (You hear me?)
Honey, I know you hear me (La-la, la-la)
Even your expressionless face with only your lips smiling,
Even the way you say you’re completely fine (Slay)
Ooh, don’t you love me, boy?
I hate you, but I love you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Smile, smile like this
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Why are you so strange like that?

Do you remember? (Member? Member?)
The song you sang while holding me close, hm
That’s not it, who that B?
So what? Still, I love you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Smile, smile like this
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Why are you so strange like that?

When the sun goes down, we’ll be together
When the sun goes up, we won’t wake up
Come on, smile for me—bigger, baby
Or else… I might kill you

Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Just relax, why that face?
Why so cynical, cynical, cynical?
Smile, smile like this

Who’s gonna get you? I really wanna get you
Let me be your misery, my love
Who’s gonna get you? If you run away, I’ll catch you
I really wanna get you, get you, get you (Ah)

SUNMI’s “CYNICAL” Meaning

SUNMI’s “CYNICAL” explores the emotional walls people build to protect themselves in a harsh and unforgiving world. Inspired by her observations of people using cynicism and detachment as a form of self-defense, the song gently questions this mindset through its recurring refrain, “Why so cynical?” Rather than criticizing those who have grown emotionally guarded, SUNMI offers a compassionate invitation to let go of their defenses, relax, smile, and reconnect with their emotions.

This message is further reinforced in the music video, where she reimagines the traditional Korean virgin ghost (cheonyeo gwishin) as a witty, cynical spirit who playfully taunts Death instead of remaining trapped in sorrow. Blending horror-comedy aesthetics with dark humor, the visuals mirror the song’s central idea of confronting life’s bitterness with warmth and irony.