The group officially debuted in July 2009 with the single "Lies", following line-up changes due to creative differences. Their debut studio album Absolute First Album was released in December 2009 and spawned several hit songs including "TTL (Time to Love)", "Bo Peep Bo Peep", and "You Drive Me Crazy".
T-ara gained nationwide recognition after releasing "Roly-Poly" in 2011, which went on to become the Gaon chart's best-selling single of the year. At the height of K-pop's popularity in Japan, T-ara signed onto management agency J-Rock for $4.7 million—reportedly the highest figure of any Korean girl group expanding into the territory at the time. Both their debut Japanese single and studio album reached number one on the Oricon weekly charts and were subsequently certified Gold. T-ara's late-2011 Korean release Black Eyes spawned three consecutive number ones: "Cry Cry", "We Were in Love" and "Lovey-Dovey".
In 2012, T-ara experienced a dip in popularity as the group faced false accusations of internal discord, resulting in Hwayoung's immediate departure with Areum following a year after. T-ara's later material was released to varying degrees of success before the group began focusing on promotional activities in China, where they attracted attention for their cover of Chopstick Brothers' "Little Apple" in 2014. T-ara is regarded as one of the most popular K-pop girl groups in China.
T-ara's final release as six members was tentatively scheduled for May 2017, ahead of Soyeon and Boram's expiring contracts; however, conflicts with their management delayed What's My Name? until June 2017, effectively without their involvement. Qri, Eunjung, Hyomin and Jiyeon had previously extended their terms with MBK Entertainment until December 2017. After a five-year period without receiving any awards on music shows, T-ara won first place on The Show on June 20.
Roly-Poly
T-ARA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
맘에 들어 왔나 나나나나나 I like you
어디서 오셨나요
자꾸 눈이 가네요, 그대 눈빛이 (나는 참 맘에 드네요)
옆으로 가고 싶지만
용기가 안나서 가슴이 떨려와 (나는 참 망설이네요)
몰라 어떡해 난 몰라
미치겠어 널 놓치기 싫어
너에게로 점점 다가갈래 점점
내 앞에서 떠날 수 없게
Roly-Poly, Roly Roly-Poly
날 밀어내도 난 다시 네게로 다가가서
Roly-Poly, Roly Roly-Poly
나만 보일꺼야, 너에게 나를 보여 줄꺼야
시계는 왜 보나요
우리 만남부터 쭉 멈춰 있는데 (나는 참 맘에 드네요)
나 오늘 이상하네요
자꾸 떨리네요, 그대를 보고서 (나는 참 망설이네요)
몰라 불안해, 난 몰라 미치겠어
어디로 갈까봐
한걸음 더 점점 다가갈래 점점
내 눈에서 떠날 수 없게
Roly-Poly, Roly Roly-Poly
날 밀어내도 난 다시 네게로 다가가서
Roly-Poly, Roly Roly-Poly
나만 보일꺼야, 너에게 나를 보여 줄꺼야
I like it like it this
I like it like it that
I like this like that yeah
Roly-Poly, Roly Roly-Poly
날 밀어내도 난 다시 네게로 다가가서
Roly-Poly, Roly Roly-Poly
나만 보일꺼야, 너에게 나를 보여 줄꺼야
Ah, ah, ah, ah, tonight
시간이 된거야, 내게로 올거야 oh, tonight
Ah, ah, ah, ah, tonight
널 기다릴 거야, 너도 날 놓치기 싫을 거야
The lyrics to T-ARA's song Roly-Poly are about being insecure and hesitant about confessing feelings to someone but still being drawn to that person. The song starts off with the singer questioning where the person they like is hiding and whether their feelings are reciprocated. Even though they're nervous and unsure, they still want to move closer to the person they like and not let them go.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to express their fear of losing the person they like and their desire to get closer to them. They mention the clock being still since the beginning of their relationship and feeling strange and nervous around the person they like. However, they decide that they will not give up and will continue to approach the person they like, making sure they can't leave their sight.
Overall, the lyrics are about the fear and uncertainty that comes with confessing feelings and pursuing someone you like. Despite the hesitation, the singer wants to keep moving towards the person they like and not lose them.
Line by Line Meaning
어디까지 왔나 또 어디 숨었나
Where have I come and where have I hidden again?
맘에 들어 왔나 나나나나나 I like you
Have I come to like you? Yes I do, I like you.
어디서 오셨나요
Where did you come from?
자꾸 눈이 가네요, 그대 눈빛이 (나는 참 맘에 드네요)
My eyes keep going towards your gaze.
옆으로 가고 싶지만
I want to go to the side but
용기가 안나서 가슴이 떨려와 (나는 참 망설이네요)
I get scared and my heart starts racing. (I hesitate)
몰라 어떡해 난 몰라
I don't know what to do, I don't know.
미치겠어 널 놓치기 싫어
I'll go crazy if I lose you. I don't want to lose you.
너에게로 점점 다가갈래 점점
I want to approach you more and more
내 앞에서 떠날 수 없게
So that you can't leave in front of me.
Roly-Poly, Roly Roly-Poly
Rolling, rolling, rolling
나만 보일꺼야, 너에게 나를 보여 줄꺼야
I'll show only myself to you, I'll show myself to you.
시계는 왜 보나요
Why am I looking at the clock?
우리 만남부터 쭉 멈춰 있는데 (나는 참 맘에 드네요)
Since our meeting, time has stopped. (I like this)
나 오늘 이상하네요
I'm feeling strange today.
자꾸 떨리네요, 그대를 보고서 (나는 참 망설이네요)
I keep trembling when I see you. (I hesitate)
몰라 불안해, 난 몰라 미치겠어
I don't know, I'm anxious, I'll go crazy.
어디로 갈까봐
Because I wonder where I'll go
한걸음 더 점점 다가갈래 점점
I want to approach you one more step at a time
내 눈에서 떠날 수 없게
So that you can't leave my sight.
I like it like it this
I like it like this
I like it like it that
I like it like that
I like this like that yeah
I like this like that, yeah
날 밀어내도 난 다시 네게로 다가가서
Even if you push me away, I'll approach you again.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, tonight
Ah, ah, ah, ah, tonight
시간이 된거야, 내게로 올거야 oh, tonight
The time has come, you'll come to me oh, tonight
널 기다릴 거야, 너도 날 놓치기 싫을 거야
I'll wait for you, you won't want to lose me either.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Ho Yang Lee, Kyu Sung Choi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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