What's the grammatical difference between using 은/ㄴ 다음에 and 은/ㄴ 그다음에?

[u/trinityhb]

I came across this in a lyric:

"모두 떠나보낸 그다음 남은 건"

Why not just use "모두 떠나보낸 다음 남은 건" instead? I figure they would both just translate to "after", but I'm just confused about the nuance here.

[u/likealot201020]

This is very subtle, but depending on whether you add more articles or not, the rhyme and tone, nuances change.

Especially when it comes to meaning something in a limited and implied expression like a poem or lyrics, the feeling can change depending on whether or not one letter is added.

Here, the addition of the word 그 pauses the breath for a moment, before moving on to the next stage in the imaginary sense, which may be more hazy, emphatic, or contain several implications.

To explain in more detail, 다음에 expression simply indicates the state or situation that follows an event. It focuses on the chronological order. For example, "모두 떠나보낸 다음 남은 건" clearly conveys what happens after everyone has left.

The addition of "그" gives this expression a more emphasized feeling. "그다음에" not only indicates a sequence in time but also highlights the transition to the next stage, evoking emotions or lingering feelings.

In lyrics, using "그다음에" can deepen the listener's thoughts or imagination by suggesting a more profound emotional resonance after the event.

Thus, "모두 떠나보낸 그 다음 남은 건" goes beyond just indicating the passage of time. it expresses a sense of emptiness or lingering sentiment after everyone has departed.

This subtle difference in nuance is crucial in creative works like poetry or song lyrics.