Don’t you just hate poetry? I just wish the writer spoke his fucking mind instead of confusing me with all these imageries, hints, innuendos, and circumlocution.

However, since we’re sassy bitches over here and we’d like to know the relevance of this poem to the story, I’m interpreting this for the team. If you have another perspective, feel free to share.

Disclaimer: I don’t speak Korean so I’m relying on the translation of this poem.

I’m using the version from this site: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/607529

Prologue for a Flower
by Kim Chunsu
Translated by Kim Jong-Gil

I am a dangerous animal.
The moment my hand touches you,
You become the unknown darkness.

On the end of the trembling branch of being,
You blossom and fall, nameless.
I weep throughout the night

And in the unnameable darkness
Tears overflow,
Kindling a memory.

My weeping becomes a whirlwind
That could topple buildings,
And becomes gold light inside a stone.

My veiled bride!

******************************

gif credit: idramaaddict’s tumblr

First stanza:

I’m a dangerous beast = he’s the great seducer
He’s not like Midas, the mythical Greek king who transformed everything he touched, even his own daughter, into gold. When he touches you, you become corrupted like him.
Unknown darkness = temptation, corruption, perversion, depravity, vices, the dark side that haven’t been explored, experienced.

Second stanza:

On the end of the trembling branch of being = the image here is of an ingénue, an innocent girl who trembles (perhaps in fear, perhaps in excitement) at his touch
You blossom and fall = she falls prey to his seduction. She “blossoms” or blooms with his attention, then falls or succumbs to his moves.
Nameless = nameless because she’s just another notch in his bedpost or another name added to his long list of victims.
I weep through the night = he feels guilty? or is he being sarcastic and feels fake guilt? I think he feels regret for what he’s done.

Now, everything is murky moving forward.

Third stanza:

And in the unnameable darkness
Tears overflow,
Kindling a memory.

= I prefer the words ineffable, unspeakable, and indescribable to describe darkness. When he’s reflecting on his encounter with this innocent girl, he breaks down in tears.

Fourth stanza:

My weeping becomes a whirlwind = his tears are cathartic
That could topple buildings = his pent-up emotions are released
And becomes gold light inside a stone = his stoic character is transformed into something good or a force for good.

Honestly, the image that comes to my mind is diamond. Because diamond is created by extreme pressure and I’m mercenary bitch.

My veiled bride! = All hail the innocent love-of-his-life!

lol. A bit of foreshadowing here? Or artistic license?gif credit: idramaaddict’s’ tumblr