氷淸玉潔 빙청옥결
Meaning
"Describing a person's character or conduct as being as clear as ice and as pure as jade, signifying impeccable integrity and unsullied virtue."
Hanja
氷淸玉潔
Pronunciation
빙청옥결
Learn with Music
Crystal Bright, Emerald True (氷淸玉潔)
Study Material
Examples
When shortcuts and unethical practices for unfair gains are normalized and expected within a company culture.
Neon snow, the city loud
네온 빛 눈, 소란한 도시
Cold winds bite, but I won’t bow
찬 바람이 할퀴어도 난 굴하지 않아
Call my name, cut the gloom
내 이름을 불러줘, 어둠을 뚫고
I’ll find my way, I’ll come to you
길을 찾아 네게로 갈게
Late-night train, an empty seat
심야 열차, 빈 자리 하나
Your voice still rides the distant beat
멀리서 들려오는 너의 목소리
Platform lights in silver blue
은청색 승강장 불빛 아래
Every shadow turns to you
모든 그림자가 너로 변해
I reach out, I touch the air
공중에 손을 뻗어 만져봐
Like you’re almost standing there
네가 마치 거기 있는 것처럼
Time keeps walking, I stay true
시간은 흘러도 난 변치 않아
Holding light the whole way through
끝까지 이 빛을 간직할게
Hold on, hold on, feel it sway
기다려줘, 흔들림을 느껴봐
Winter hearts don’t have to stay
겨울의 마음이 계속 머물 순 없으니
Step by step, I’m breaking through
한 걸음씩, 난 뚫고 나아가
Slow spring still comes, it comes for you
더딘 봄도 결국 너를 향해 오니까
Crystal bright, my promise clear
수정처럼 밝게, 나의 약속은 선명해
Even far, you’re always near
멀리 있어도 넌 언제나 곁에 있어
Through the gray, through the blue
잿빛을 지나 푸른 희망을 지나
I keep my way back home to you
너에게 돌아가는 길을 지킬게
Emerald true, my heartbeat sure
에메랄드빛 진심, 내 심장은 확신해
No dust can touch what we were
어떤 먼지도 우리를 더럽힐 순 없어
Cold wind talks, I talk back too
찬 바람이 말을 걸면 나도 대답해
I’ve been strong for me and you
너와 나를 위해 난 강해져 왔어
Fold my doubts to paper wings
의심을 접어 종이 날개를 만들고
Let them fly past broken things
부서진 것들을 넘어 날려 보내
If the world throws noise and doubt
세상의 소음과 불신이 덮쳐와도
I rinse it off, I don’t burn out
난 씻어낼 뿐, 타버리지 않아
Some nights I shook, some nights I cried
어떤 밤은 떨었고 어떤 밤은 울었지
Still the truth stayed warm inside
그래도 진실은 내 안에서 따스했어
When the storm tries to blur my view
폭풍이 시야를 흐리려 할 때도
I stay clean, I make it through
난 깨끗하게 남아서 이겨낼 거야
Snow turns rain, the sky feels new
눈은 비가 되고 하늘은 새로워져
I’m right here, I’m back to you
나 여기 있어, 다시 네게로 왔어
Summary
Bing-cheong-ok-gyeol (氷淸玉潔) literally translates to 'as clear as ice and as pure as jade.' it describes a person with exceptionally noble character and a heart free from defilement, symbolizing a steadfast commitment to one's principles despite external temptations.
Key Lessons
Maintain your inner purity and do not allow negative environments to stain your character.
True strength is found in transparently upholding your principles and promises during difficult times.
A noble character is a timeless treasure that retains its value regardless of how much time passes.
Origin & Background
Modern Application Examples
Situation
When shortcuts and unethical practices for unfair gains are normalized and expected within a company culture.
Action
Choosing to strictly follow honest procedures and moral standards even when everyone else is taking the easy way out.
Lesson
Long-term trust and personal integrity are far more valuable than short-term gains.
Situation
Facing a barrage of baseless rumors and malicious criticism on social media that threatens your peace of mind.
Action
Refusing to retaliate with the same negativity, instead staying focused on personal values and maintaining dignity.
Lesson
Learn to preserve inner tranquility and innocence even amidst the loudest noise of the world.
Situation
During a period of stagnation or when external temptations arise in a long-term relationship.
Action
Remembering the initial commitment made to a partner and protecting the relationship with unchanging sincerity.
Lesson
True love is rooted in an unwavering, transparent heart rather than fleeting moments of glamour.
English Vocabulary
bow
굴하다, 굴복하다
"I will never bow to unfair pressure."
gloom
어둠, 우울함
"The morning sun dispersed the gloom of the night."
stay true
변치 않다, 신의를 지키다
"No matter what happens, you must stay true to yourself."
breaking through
돌파하다, 뚫고 나아가다
"The sun is finally breaking through the heavy clouds."
sure
확신하는, 확실한
"Are you sure about your decision?"
rinse off
씻어내다
"Please rinse off the soap after washing your hands."
burn out
에너지를 다 소진하다
"Working too hard will make you burn out quickly."
blur
흐리게 하다
"Tears started to blur my vision."
Learning Quiz
가사 중 'I won't bow'의 의미로 가장 적절한 것은?
'bow'는 여기서 '굴복하다' 또는 '굴하다'라는 의미로 쓰여, 어떤 고난에도 굴하지 않겠다는 의지를 나타냅니다.
'Stay true'가 문맥상 의미하는 바는 무엇인가요?
'Stay true'는 상황이 변해도 자신의 신념이나 약속을 변함없이 지킨다는 의미입니다.
'Break through'라는 표현이 어울리는 상황은?
'Break through'는 고난이나 장벽을 뚫고 나아가는 역동적인 상황에 쓰입니다.
가사에서 'Crystal bright'와 'Emerald true'가 강조하는 사자성어 '빙청옥결(氷淸玉潔)'의 핵심 가치는?
'빙청옥결'은 얼음처럼 맑고 옥처럼 깨끗하다는 뜻으로, 변치 않는 맑고 깨끗한 마음과 절개를 의미합니다.
'Rinse it off'의 뜻으로 올바른 것은?
'Rinse off'는 표면에 묻은 것을 물 등으로 씻어낸다는 뜻으로, 가사에서는 세상의 불신을 씻어낸다는 비유로 쓰였습니다.
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Mood
Tempo
Energy
Recommended For
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About This Music
This song celebrates a love as clear as ice and as pure as jade, depicting a journey from the loneliness of a wintry train station to the liberating warmth of spring. The transparent piano and glassy bell tones in the introduction evoke the delicate atmosphere of falling snow, while the swelling drums and cinematic strings in the latter half deliver a wave of overwhelming emotion. With lyrics capturing sincere, unchanging devotion and an infectious chorus, the track feels like watching a poignant lyrical film. It is the perfect recommendation for listeners seeking a sense of purification through clear, crystal-bright musicality.
Musical Composition
🎸 Instruments
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🎤 Vocals
The vocals begin with a soft, whisper-like delivery in the intro and transition into an expansive high-register performance with rich harmonies in the chorus to heighten the emotional impact.
🎛️ Production
The production utilizes transparent-textured bell sounds and spacious reverb to create a clean yet grand soundscape that perfectly embodies the 'Crystal Bright, Emerald True' theme.
🌏 Cultural Elements
The track blends Western pop-rock arrangements with a characteristically Korean sense of lyricism that connects the solitude of winter with the hope of spring.
📖 Music Glossary
One of the most widely used chord progressions in popular music, known for creating a lyrical and hopeful atmosphere.
💡 In this song: It provides a stable emotional foundation throughout the track, offering a sense of familiarity and comfort to the listener.
An effect where the volume gradually increases like a surging wave, typically achieved through electric guitars or synthesizers.
💡 In this song: Warm electric guitar swells are placed in the middle section of the song to allow the emotions to build up gradually.
A musical format where a main vocal phrase is answered by a chorus or another instrument.
💡 In this song: Light vocal responses are layered with harmonies during the main chorus lines to increase immersion and musical interest.
Soft and dreamy background synthesizer sounds that emphasize a sense of air and space.
💡 In this song: These provide a mysterious and wide sense of space to the entire track, maximizing the atmospheric mood of a winter night.
The lingering decay of a sound after the original source has stopped playing.
💡 In this song: The use of long, warm reverb tails visually translates the clear and brilliant image of the song's 'crystal and jade' theme into sound.
🎶 Similar Tracks
Day6 - Time of Our Life
Shares a similar hopeful, soaring pop-rock sound paired with a sentimental melody line.
Taeyeon - Fine
Comparable in its delicate intro and explosive emotional arc in the latter half, featuring a balanced blend of acoustic and electric guitars.
NELL - Time Walking on Memory
The transparent bell sounds, piano, and overall dreamy, lyrical atmosphere are reminiscent of this song's introduction.
Younha - Event Horizon
Shares a similar energy with clear vocals set against a solid drum beat and a grand, climactic chorus.
My Experience
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