I believe as you click into this post, right inside your mind living a little #mikrokosmos of BTS and the bright #army heart even though you might deny it sometimes. Just like me, I don’t call myself an ARMY, but I love most of their songs and they are all so good and BTS members are just another level of K-pop legendary performers. BTS has swept the charts and global stages with their charm, music and dance moves that even impress many Global singers and artists.
As this month is Learn Korean with K-pop month (HA-HA), let’s input some new Korean vocabulary by learning some of the BTS popular songs’ name! Some of the song names have different literal meanings between Korean and English, it’s fun to know the real meaning of the Korean version of the song!
1. Dynamite = 폭탄
‘Dynamite’ actually do not have a Korean name, but this songs fully express our moods when we are in love just like a dynamite! Dynamite generally is a kind of bombs, while most Korean address ‘bombs’ or other explosive by calling them
폭탄 (pok-tan) explosives
2. Black Swan = 흑고니
‘Black Swan’ is a sentimental hip-hop dance song with catchy beats that resonances in your mind as you listen. The song was inspired by the classic performance of ‘Black Swan’ that try to convey the hidden message of fear in losing passion to music. As ‘music’ is a big part of the entertainment industry, many artists live and depend on music to survive. This song do not have a Korean name, therefore to translate them literally;
흑 (heuk) black
고니 (go-ni) swan
3. DOPE = 쩔어
‘DOPE’ is among the classic piece from BTS before they hit the global wave. The meaning of ‘dope’ itself referring to ‘very good’ or awesome! The song lyrics express the excitement of throwing all stress away while just chill and enjoy! So you can say dope as ‘쩔어’!
쩔어 (jjeol-eo) awesome
4. Boy with Luv = 작은 것들을 위한 시
Personally I really love ‘Boy with Luv’ especially it’s catchy opening and chorus! The whole music video give the retro and cheerful vibe as well, something similar like ‘Dynamite’ right? This song has a cute Korean title that has a different meaning with English. The meaning of 작은 것들을 위한 시 means ‘a poem of every little things’. Many thoughts the little things here refer to BTS and even to the ARMYs!
작(은) (jak-eun) little
것(들을) (geot-teul-eul) things
위한 (ui-han) for
시 (si) poem
5. Spring day = 봄날
‘Spring Day’ is another song that I loved so much as I am a Korean ballad lover, while for me BTS can sing ballads so well with their good singing voices. Maybe some OST songs for BTS? This song was really a hit as it was released 3 years ago until the shooting places of the music videos also went viral! Spring days always give people impression of hope and new love, but this song express how one miss his lovers especially during the spring days!
봄 (bom) spring
날 (nal) days
You have now learnt many new Korean words from BTS song’s names! Let make it into practice by constructing some simple sentences down the comment section!
Eg. 봄날: 저는 봄날을 싫어요. (I have spring days)
Learn more Korean with #JomKoreanwithMawen in mydaehan.wordpress.com !
Melvin Tan
Content Manager (Language)
Online Supporter of Korean Embassy in Malaysia
K-influencer (Korea.net)
Bio-science student in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
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Korean learner for 10 years, but still amateur
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