애인 있어요 (I Have a Lover)

If you have watched enough korean variety shows and dramas, or have stalked enough korean singers on youtube, the song ‘애인 있어요’ (I Have a Lover), originally sung by Lee Eun Mi, would not be unfamiliar to you. The song was part of Goong S’s and The Last Scandal of My Life’s OSTs, and it left an especially deep impression on me when I watched the latter show because it was such a moving song. Talking about the agony of loving a person that one cherishes so much yet cannot reveal, even having to pretend to have a lover in front of that very person you love, the beautifully melancholic lyrics (see lyrics below) coupled with the heart-wrenching melody makes this song a favourite with anyone who listens to it. And this is perhaps why so many singers, artists, and even amateur performers, have covered this song.

Hear the lady, Lee Eun Mi, sing and be touched by her powerful vocals:

Singers like Seo In Young, Ilac, Taeyeon (SNSD), Tei, Davichi, Super Junior K.R.Y + Donghae, Kangin (SuJu) + Jay (Trax), Sungmin (SuJu), Younha, Alex (Clazziquai), Jo Kwon (2AM), Dia and even actor Lee Bum Soo have all offered their versions of this song. You can also find shorter versions of covers by the amazingly talented Lee Hana, 2PM’s Junsu, as well as a remix by DNT with an added rap for a new twist to the already popular song.

One of my favourite version would have to be the one by Seo In Young. Although she had a flu that day and was not able to hit the high notes, her rendition made me realise what an amazing singer she was and she certainly gave me goosebumps (in a good way) from hearing her sing.

Another popular favourite of netizens is Taeyeon’s version which she sang on her radio show ‘Chin Chin’.

Yet another version that appealed to me was Ilac’s unplugged guitar audio version which he sang on Maybee’s ‘Volume Up’ radio show. Am i wrong to say that Ilac is one of those under-rated talents that deserves a lot more love?