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Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics | 'BTS Cypher Pt.2: Triptych' Korean Lyrics Explained (Part 1)

  • Oct 18, 2025
  • 39 min read

Updated: 4 days ago



Let’s study Korean with BTS Lyrics! In this post, we’ll break down each lyric in BTS’ ‘BTS Cypher Pt.2: Triptych’ with detailed vocabulary and grammar notes to help you understand the meaning of the Korean used. Whether you’re a fan looking to deepen your connection to the music or a language learner studying through lyrics, this post is for you. Click the expand arrow beside each lyric to view the notes and explanations for that line.


Want to turn this into a study challenge? Try reading each line and testing your understanding before checking the notes. See how much you can recognize on your own—then expand the section to check your answers and learn something new. It’s a great way to strengthen your Korean comprehension while enjoying BTS’s lyrics.


To take your practice even further, I’ve also linked videos from my YouTube channel in this post—perfect for reviewing vocab, testing your lyric knowledge, and making your BTS Korean study sessions more fun and interactive.


자, 시작해 볼까? Let’s dive into the lyrics and learn Korean with BTS!


BTS (방탄소년단) - 'BTS Cypher Pt.2: Triptych' Lyrics (Part 1) (With English Translation & Korean Grammar/Vocabulary Notes)


*Due to the length of this song and the amount of explanation required (as well as blog post length limitations), I've divided this breakdown into two parts. This is Part 1, which covers the song's intro, j-hope's first refrain, and RM's rap. Part 2, which you can read here, covers j-hope's second refrain and SUGA's rap. You can also view the full song lyrics in order here.


[Supreme Boi] : Yeah yeah yeah, drop


Wassup? Supreme Boi on this track, dick


You know what it is, ugh


It’s the prime time homies


Yeah, what you know about my fam’?


We beat the prejudice and just doin’ my thing, boy


People, you can holla at my B-T-S! (Get it)



누구: who


때문에: because of / due to


제이홉: j-hope


누구: who


때문에: because of / due to


랩몬: RapMon (RM’s old stage name, short for “Rap Monster”)



다시: again / once more


누구: who


때문에: because of / due to


슈가: Suga


모든: all / every

  • 모두 (all, everyone, everything) + -ㄴ (adjective modifier form) → 모든 = “all / every” (used before a noun)


스타일과: style and...

  • 스타일 (style, borrowed from English “style,” meaning fashion, trend, or manner) + 과 (particle meaning “and” or “with”)


흐름은: flow (as the topic)

  • 흐름 (flow, current, trend, movement) + 은 (topic marker, particle marking 흐름 as the topic of the sentence)


다: all / everything


방탄: Bangtan (short for 방탄소년단, BTS)


때문에: because of / due to



21세기: 21st century

  • 21 (number) + 세기 (century)


한류를: Hallyu (Korean Wave) (object)

  • 한류 (the Korean Wave, spread of Korean pop culture worldwide) + -를 (object marker)


이끌: will lead; who/that will lead (adnominal form)

  • 이끌다 (to lead; to guide) + -ㄹ (future/adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


*Note: -ㄹ/을 (future/adnominal ending) attaches to a verb to describe a noun that follows. It often means "who will...", "that will...", or "to...", depending on the context. 이끌 isn't a complete verb on its own (it's an adnominal (modifier) form, which means it must describe a following noun). Here, it's describing the noun 애들 ("kids"), as in "the kids who will lead."


애들의: of the kids; the kids'

  • 애 (child, kid, casual) + -들 (plural marker) + -의 (possessive particle)


*Note: 이끌 애들의 literally means "of the kids who will lead" or "of the kids that will lead," with 이끌 modifying 애들 ("kids")


또: again / once more / also


시작된: begun / started (adnominal form)

  • 시작되다 (to be started; to begin) + -ㄴ (past/adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


*Note: -ㄴ/은 changes a verb into a word that describes a noun. With action verbs, it often indicates that the action has already been completed, so it can be translated as "that was..." or "that has...". Here, 시작된 modifies 놀이, describing it as a game that has already begun.


*Note: 시작되다 is the passive form of 시작하다 ("to start"). 시작하다 is used when someone actively starts something, while 시작되다 is used when something itself starts or begins.


놀이: play / game



우린: as for us / we (topic)

  • 우리 (we, us) + 는 (topic marker) → 우린 (contracted form)


일곱: seven (Native Korean number for “seven.”)


마리: counter for animals, used for counting animals (dogs, cats, wolves, etc.)


*Note: Korean usually uses a counter when counting nouns. A counter is a word placed after a number that indicates the type of thing being counted, such as animals, people, books, or general objects. Different nouns use different counters, so you'll often see the pattern number + counter + noun. 마리 is the Korean counter used when counting animals. It follows a native Korean number (such as 한, 두, 세, 네, 다섯, 일곱) and comes before the noun being counted. 일곱 마리 늑대 literally means "seven wolves."


늑대: wolf


함성이란: as for a shout/cheer; a shout/cheer is

  • 함성 (shout; cheer; roar of voices) + -이란 (topic/quotation particle meaning "as for…," "what is…," or used for emphasis)


*Note: -이란/란 attaches to a noun and is a contraction of -이라고 하는 ("what is called"). It is commonly used to introduce or emphasize a concept, often with the sense of "as for..." or "what is called..." depending on the context. It introduces a noun as the concept or idea the speaker wants to explain, define, or emphasize. Compared with 은/는, it often has a more explanatory or reflective feel, especially in writing, lyrics, and quotations. Here, 함성이란 refers to the idea or concept of a shout or cheer rather than simply meaning “cheering.”


양들을: sheep (object)

  • 양 (sheep) + -들 (plural marker) + -을 (object marker)


몰이: herding / driving (something in a particular direction)

  • 몰다 (to drive, herd, chase, or push) + -이 (noun-forming suffix)


지금부터: from now / starting now

  • 지금 (now, the present moment) + 부터 (starting from, since)


보이는: that are seen / visible (adnominal form)

  • 보이다 (to be seen; to be visible; to appear) + -는 (present adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


*Note: -는 changes the verb into a form that describes the noun that follows. With 보이다, 보이는 means "that is seen," "visible," or "appearing," depending on the context.


고장 난: broken / malfunctioned (adnominal form)

  • 고장 나다 (to break down, to malfunction) + -ㄴ (past/adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


*Note: -ㄴ/은 changes a verb into a form that describes the noun that follows. With action verbs, it usually indicates that the action has already been completed. Here, 고장 난 describes something that has broken down or is no longer working.


랩들: raps (plural)

  • 랩 (rap) + -들 (plural marker)


견인: towing / pulling / hauling

  • Noun from 견인하다 (to tow, to pull), here used as “towing away” (like broken cars).



해가 지: the sun sets; the sun is setting; as the sun sets

  • 해 (the sun) + 가 (subject marker) + 지다 (to set [of the sun]) → 지 (verb stem)


*Note: In songs and poetry, the final verb ending is sometimes omitted for a poetic, rhythmic, or stylistic effect. Here, 지 is the verb stem of 지다 ("to set"). In a complete sentence, a verb stem is normally followed by a grammatical ending. Although the ending is omitted here, the listener naturally understands 해가 지 from the context as "the sun sets," "the sun is setting," or "as the sun sets" before the next line continues, 우린 계속 진격 ("we keep advancing").


우린: as for us / we (topic)

  • 우리 (we, us) + 는 (topic marker) → 우린 (contracted form)


계속: continuously / constantly


진격: advance; charge; march forward


비트: beat (music beat, rhythm)


위의: on; above; on top of

  • 위 (top; above; surface) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")


*Note: 위의 literally means "of the top" or "of above," but it is commonly translated as "on," "above," or "on top of" depending on the context. It describes something as being located on or above something else. In 비트 위의 거인, 위의 modifies 거인, describing the giant as being on or standing atop the beat. It creates the image of someone dominating or towering over the beat, rather than simply being physically located on it.


거인: giant, titan, huge being


*Note: Both 진격 ("advance," "charge," or "march forward") and 거인 ("giant," "titan," or "huge being") evoke the popular manga and anime series Attack on Titan (진격의 거인), which inspired the title of BTS's 진격의 방탄 ("Attack on Bangtan"). Throughout that song, 진격 appears in several forms, including 진격의 and 진격해, reinforcing the song's central theme of pressing forward. For more detailed information, see Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics | '진격의 방탄 (Attack on Bangtan)' Korean Lyrics Explained.


방탄: Bangtan (short for 방탄소년단 (Bulletproof Boy Scouts / BTS))


싸이퍼: cypher (from English “cypher,” in hip-hop meaning a freestyle rap session, or a track where rappers show off skills)


*Note: In hip-hop, a cypher is a session where multiple rappers take turns performing verses over the same beat, often to showcase their lyrical skill, flow, wordplay, and delivery. Traditionally, cyphers were performed in a circle of MCs (Masters of Ceremonies, or rappers), with each person stepping in to contribute a verse before passing the turn to the next. BTS adopts this concept in their Cypher series. Rather than telling a single story, each member of the rap line takes a turn delivering a verse that highlights their individual style and responds to critics with confidence and technical skill. Understanding the meaning of cypher helps explain both the structure of the song and the competitive, self-assured tone that runs throughout the lyrics.


싸이코: psycho (from English “psycho,” meaning crazy, mad, wild, used here with swaggering/boastful nuance)



링에: in the ring

  • 링 (ring, from English — boxing/wrestling ring) + -에 (location particle “in/at/on”)


누가: who (as subject)

  • 누구 (who) + -가 (subject marker)


있건: whether (it) exists; whether there is/are; no matter (who) is there

  • 있다 (to exist; to be; to have) + -건 (shortened form of -거나, meaning "whether...or...")


*Note: -건 is a shortened form of -거나 used to present alternatives or possibilities. It commonly appears in expressions such as 있건 없건 ("whether it exists or not") or 좋건 싫건 ("whether you like it or not"). The speaker indicates that the following statement is true regardless of which alternative is the case.


우린: as for us / we (topic)

  • 우리 (we, us) + 는 (topic marker) → 우린 (contracted form)


다: all / everything


이겨: win (informal present)

  • 이기다 (to win, to defeat) + -어 (casual present ending)



난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


hi여: (I’m) hi

  • “hi” (English greeting) + -여 (a non-standard, stylized ending based on 이여/이야, used for rhythm and rhyme)


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


bye여: (you’re) bye

  • “bye” (English farewell) + -여 (a non-standard, stylized ending based on 이여/이야, used for rhythm and rhyme)


*Note: Here, -여 is a stylized variation of -이여 (or -이야 in modern speech), which is used after a noun to mean "is" or "it is." Rather than following standard conversational Korean, the lyric uses -여 for a poetic and rhythmic effect. Attaching -여 to the English words hi and bye creates the playful expressions hi여 and bye여, while also rhyming with 타이어 ("tire") and 달려 ("run") in the following lyrics. Because this is a stylistic choice made for the song, -여 is not a grammar pattern that learners would normally use in everyday Korean.


The contrast humorously suggests: I'm just getting started ("hi"), while you're already finished ("bye").


불난: on fire / burning

  • 불나다 (to catch fire; to be on fire) + -ㄴ (past/adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


*Note: 불난 literally means "that has caught fire" or "burning," and describes something as being on fire. In the lyric 불난 타이어, 불난 vividly describes the tire as being on fire, creating an image of something moving forward with intense speed, energy, and unstoppable momentum.


타이어: tire (from English “tire,” car wheel)


우린: as for us / we (topic)

  • 우리 (we, us) + 는 (topic marker) → 우린 (contracted form)


달려: (we) run / race forward

  • 달리다 (to run, to race) → 달려 (present casual form)


​Fire, hot choir



대중가요: popular song / pop music (K-pop in general)

  • 대중 (the public, the masses) + 가요 (song, music) → 대중가요 = “pop song,” “popular music.”


잡을: to catch / to seize (adnominal future form)

  • 잡다 (to catch, to grab, to seize) + -을 (future/prospective adnominal ending modifying the following noun). 잡을 = “that will catch/seize / that is to catch/seize.”


*Note: -ㄹ/을 changes a verb into a form that describes the following noun. It often expresses something that will, is going to, or is intended to happen. Depending on the context, it can also indicate purpose, possibility, or something that is about to occur. Here, 잡을 ("will seize," "will take over," "will dominate") modifies 싸이: 잡을 싸이 → "the Psy who will take over (pop music)" Here, 잡다 is used figuratively in the sense of seizing, taking hold of, or making one's mark on the popular music industry, rather than its literal meaning of "to catch."


싸이여: (it is) Psy

  • 싸이 (Psy, the artist famous for “Gangnam Style”) + -여 (a non-standard, stylized ending based on 이여/이야, used for rhythm and rhyme)


*Note: 싸이여 is a stylized expression built on the name 싸이 (Psy) with the poetic ending -여. In this lyric, Psy serves as a symbol of overwhelming success in popular music. Together with 대중가요 잡을 ("will take over popular music"), the line expresses BTS's ambition to follow in Psy's footsteps and dominate the pop music scene themselves.



내: my

  • 나 (I; me) + -의 (possessive particle, "of") → 내 (contracted form of 나의)


랩: rap (from English “rap”)


거대한: huge; enormous; gigantic; immense

  • 거대하다 (to be huge; to be enormous; to be gigantic) + -ㄴ (present adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


*Note: -ㄴ/은 changes a descriptive verb (adjective) into a form that describes the following noun. 거대한 means "huge," "enormous," or "gigantic," and is used to modify a noun directly.


떡대: big build / bulky physique

  • Slang noun meaning “large, broad, husky build.” In rap usage: “big presence / heavyweight.” → 거대한 떡대: huge bulk / massive build


니: your

  • 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle, "of") → 네 (your) → 니 (common spoken and lyrical pronunciation)


*Note: 니 means "your." The standard possessive form is 네 ("your"), but because 네 is pronounced the same as 내 ("my"), speakers often pronounce it as 니 to avoid confusion. Although 니 is considered a colloquial pronunciation rather than the standard spelling, it is extremely common in everyday speech and song lyrics.


귀에다가: right into the ear; in(to) the ear

  • 귀 (ear) + -에다가 (particle meaning "to," "into," or "onto," emphasizing the destination or location of an action)


*Note: -에다가 is an extended form of -에 that emphasizes the place or destination where something is directed, placed, or occurs. It often has the nuance of "right into," "onto," or "at." In many contexts, -에다가 and -에 are interchangeable, but -에다가 can sound slightly more emphatic or vivid. In the lyric, 귀에다가 indicates that something is directed into the listener's ear, emphasizing the target of the action.


대놓고: openly; blatantly; outright; without hiding it (fixed adverb; historically from 대놓다 "to put out in the open")


*Note: 대놓고 is an idiomatic adverb meaning "openly," "blatantly," or "without trying to hide it." It describes doing or saying something in a direct, obvious, or unapologetic way, often without concern for how others might react. Depending on the context, it can have a neutral, positive, or negative nuance.


역대로: throughout history; in history; historically

  • 역대 (successive generations; throughout history; all previous eras) + -로 (adverbial particle meaning "as," "in," or "through")


*Note: -로 changes 역대 into an adverb meaning "throughout history," "historically," or "of all time." It is commonly used when comparing people, events, or achievements across different periods of history.


격해진: intensified; intensified to become more intense; escalated

  • 격해지다 (to become intense; to become fierce; to escalate) + -ㄴ (adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


*Note: -ㄴ/은 changes a verb into a form that describes the following noun. With action verbs, it often indicates that the action has already occurred or emphasizes the resulting state. Here, 격해진 describes something that has become more intense or has escalated. In the lyric, 격해진 emphasizes that something has grown more intense or fierce, highlighting an increase in strength, emotion, or intensity.


우리만의: only our; our own; unique to us

  • 우리 (we; us; our) + -만 (only; just) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")


*Note: -만 limits the meaning to "only" or "just," while -의 marks possession. Together, 우리만의 means "only our," "our own," or "unique to us." It describes something that belongs exclusively to or is characteristic of us.


폭행: assault; physical assault; battery


*Note: In the lyric 우리만의 폭행, 폭행 is used figuratively rather than literally. It conveys the idea of delivering a powerful verbal or musical "attack" through BTS's rap, emphasizing the force and impact of their performance rather than physical violence.



긴: long (adnominal form)

  • 길다 (to be long) + -ㄴ (present adnominal ending modifying the following noun)


말: words; speech; talk


*Note: -ㄴ/은 changes a descriptive verb (adjective) into a form that describes the following noun. 긴 말 literally means "long words" or "long speech," but it is commonly used to mean "a long explanation," "lengthy talk," or "many words."


필요 없이: without need; without the need for

  • 필요 (need; necessity) + 없이 (without; lacking)


랩으로: through rap / with rap

  • 랩 (rap) + -(으)로 (particle meaning "by," "with," "through," or "using")


*Note: -으로 indicates the means, method, or tool used to perform an action. Here, it shows that rap is the way the explanation is given.


설명해: explain

  • 설명하다 (to explain) → 설명해 (informal present or imperative tense)

​BTS, follow the leader



지금부터: from now / starting now

  • 지금 (now, the present moment) + -부터 (particle meaning "from," "starting from," or "beginning with")


go해: do go / let’s go

  • go + -하다 (to do) → 해 (informal present or imperative form)


*Note: The expression go해 combines the English word go with the Korean verb 하다 ("to do"), creating a Konglish-style verb meaning "to go." The ending -해 is the informal imperative form of 하다, so go해 functions as a command meaning "Go!" or "Let's get moving!" This isn't standard Korean grammar that learners should try to produce themselves. It's a creative lyric expression that mixes English and Korean (often called Konglish code-mixing) for stylistic effect. In everyday Korean, a speaker would normally just say 가! ("Go!").

What


[RM] : Rah-rah-rah-right


Ha


(Are you... ready for the show?)



들어와: come in / come on in

  • 들어오다 (to come in, to enter) + -아 (casual imperative ending)


(Come on man, get up)


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


랩: rap (from English “rap”)


와이퍼: wiper


*Note: 와이퍼 normally refers to a car's windshield wiper, the device on a car that clears rain, dirt, or debris from the windshield. By calling himself a "rap wiper," RM may be comparing his rap to a wiper that clears everything in its path, suggesting that he sweeps aside or wipes out the competition with his lyrical skill.


완전: completely / totally / absolutely


싸이코: psycho (from English psycho)


*Note: 싸이코 ("psycho") is used here as a boast rather than a literal description. RM likely uses it to portray himself as someone who is intensely passionate (crazy about rap), fearless, relentless, and unpredictable or dangerous when it comes to rap, reinforcing his confident and aggressive persona here.


내가: I / me (subject)

  • 나 (I; me) + -가 (subject marker) → 내가 (standard form; historical sound change)


*Note: When -가 is attached to 나, the form becomes 내가, not 나가. This is a historical sound change that became the standard form in modern Korean.


다이서라면: if (I were) a Dicer

  • 다이서 (Dicer) + -라면 (if it is; if it's)


*Note: -라면 attaches to nouns to express a condition, meaning "if it is..." or "if it's..."


*Note: 다이서 (Dicer) appears to reference the Korean webtoon DICE, whose users, called Dicers, gain abilities by collecting special dice. RM boasts that if he were a Dicer, he'd have all the dice, emphasizing that he possesses every advantage or source of power.


임마: hey, you / you punk / you jerk (rough, informal way of addressing someone)


*Note: 임마 is a slang vocative—a word used to call or address someone. It's a rough, informal way of saying "hey, you", with the exact nuance depending on the speaker's tone and relationship with the listener. Depending on the tone, it can sound friendly and teasing between close friends or rude and insulting. 임마 is a common spoken contraction of 이놈아: 이 (this) + 놈 (guy/fellow) + -아 (vocative ending used to call someone).


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


다이스: dice (loanword from English "dice.")


다: all; every; completely


있어: have; there is

  • 있다 (to have; to exist) + -어 (informal present ending)


*Note: 있어 means "have" when talking about possession. Here, 다 있어 means "I've got it all" or "I have everything."


싸이퍼: cypher (from English “cypher”)


니가: you (subject form; spoken pronunciation of 네가)

  • 너 (you) + -가 (subject marker) → 네가 (commonly pronounced 니가)


nice면: if (you are) nice

  • nice (English word) + -면 (conditional ending = “if”)


임마: hey, you / you punk / you jerk (rough, informal way of addressing someone)


*Note: 임마 is a slang vocative—a word used to call or address someone. It's a rough, informal way of saying "hey, you", with the exact nuance depending on the speaker's tone and relationship with the listener. Depending on the tone, it can sound friendly and teasing between close friends or rude and insulting. 임마 is a common spoken contraction of 이놈아: 이 (this) + 놈 (guy/fellow) + -아 (vocative ending used to call someone).


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


니가: you (subject form; spoken pronunciation of 네가)

  • 너 (you) + -가 (subject marker) → 네가 (commonly pronounced 니가)


프라이드면: if you’re a (Kia) Pride

  • 프라이드 (Pride (the Kia Pride, a compact economy car)) + -면 (conditional ending = “if”)


임마: hey, you / you punk / you jerk (rough, informal way of addressing someone)


*Note: 임마 is a slang vocative—a word used to call or address someone. It's a rough, informal way of saying "hey, you", with the exact nuance depending on the speaker's tone and relationship with the listener. Depending on the tone, it can sound friendly and teasing between close friends or rude and insulting. 임마 is a common spoken contraction of 이놈아: 이 (this) + 놈 (guy/fellow) + -아 (vocative ending used to call someone).


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


크라이슬러: Chrysler

  • Chrysler (American car brand)


*Note: "If you're a Pride, then I'm a Chrysler." The lyric compares two cars to boast about being on a higher level. The Kia Pride was a small economy car, while Chrysler evokes a larger, more prestigious American automobile brand, reinforcing the speaker's confidence and superiority. The contrast may also hint at the difference between a domestic Korean car and a more globally recognized brand. The word 프라이드 may also evoke the English word pride, creating a subtle secondary layer of wordplay. In that reading, the lyric not only compares two cars but also undercuts the listener's sense of pride or self-importance.

That mean imma priceless


니들이: you guys / you all (subject)

  • 니들 (you guys; colloquial form of 너희들) + -이 (subject marker)


*Note: 니들 is a casual, colloquial way of saying 너희 ("you all").


뭔데: what are you (to…) / who are you (to…)

  • 뭐 (what) + -인데 (copula + explanatory ending) → 니들이 뭔데 = “Who are you guys (to…).”


*Note: 뭔데 is often used rhetorically to challenge someone: "What are you?" → "Who do you think you are?"


내: my

  • 나 (I, me) + -의 (possessive particle) → 내 (contracted form)


랩에: on my rap / about my rap

  • 랩 (rap) + -에 (particle indicating the target or basis of judgment)


니들의: your / you guys' (plural possessive)

  • 니들 (you guys) + -의 (possessive)


식견으로: with your insight / by your judgment / based on your understanding

  • 식견 (insight; discernment; judgment; depth of understanding) + -으로 (by means of; with; based on)


점수를: score (object)

  • 점수 (score, grade, evaluation) + -를 (object marker)


매겨: give / assign / grade

  • 매기다 (to give a score, to grade, to assign) → 매겨 (casual present tense)


*Note: 식견 is a more elevated word than simply 의견 ("opinion"). It refers to a person's insight, discernment, or depth of understanding. By using 식견, the lyric isn't just criticizing others for judging his rap—it questions whether they have the knowledge or discernment to judge it in the first place. This makes the line especially cutting, as it dismisses the value of their judgment altogether.



여긴: here (topic)

  • 여기 (here) + -는 (topic marker) → 여긴 (contracted form of 여기는)


원피스: One Piece (refers to the Japanese manga/anime One Piece)


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


흰수염: Whitebeard

  • 흰 (white) + 수염 (beard, facial hair)


*Note: Whitebeard (Edward Newgate) is one of the strongest, most legendary pirates in the series. Calling himself Whitebeard is a straightforward boast: "I'm one of the greatest."



너넨: you guys (topic); as for you all

  • 너네 (you guys; colloquial form of 너희) + -는 (topic marker) → 너넨 (contracted form)


그냥: just / simply


긴수염: long beard

  • 길다 (to be long) → 긴 (adjective/adnominal form, used before a noun) + 수염 (beard)


*Note: 긴수염 (Longbeard) isn't a well-known character; it's a generic descriptive phrase ("long beard"), which makes it dismissive. Instead of being the legendary Whitebeard, they're reduced to "just some guy with a long beard." This sets up the next insult: 한 마디로 메기여 ("in other words, you're catfish").


한 마디로: in a word; in short; simply put

  • 한 (one) + 마디 (word; remark; phrase) + -로 (particle meaning "as," "by," or "in the form of")


메기여: (you're) catfish

  • 메기 (catfish) + -여 (a casual dialectal/colloquial pronunciation of 이야 ("is/are"), commonly heard in some regional dialects and sometimes used in rap for style or rhyme)


*Note: A catfish is a bottom-dwelling fish, making it a stark contrast to the powerful pirate Whitebeard. After calling himself Whitebeard and the others "just Longbeard," reducing them to catfish further belittles them as insignificant. In English, "catfish" also refers to someone who deceives others online using a fake identity, which may be a possible additional nuance.


*Note: RM references One Piece by comparing himself to Whitebeard (흰수염), one of the series' most powerful and respected pirates. He then contrasts this with 긴수염 ("long beard"), reducing his opponents to an ordinary description rather than a legendary title. Finally, he jokes that they're 메기 ("catfish"), whose long whiskers resemble a beard, turning the comparison into a humorous insult. This layered wordplay reinforces his claim that he stands above his rivals.



히히하하: hee-hee ha-ha (laughter sounds)


뛰뛰빵빵: Beep beep! Honk honk! / Vroom vroom! (onomatopoeia for a car horn or revving engine)


시속 300: 300 km/h / 300 kilometers per hour

  • 시 (時) (hour) + 속 (速) (speed) → 시속 (speed per hour)


*Note: 시속 means "an hourly speed of..." and, unless another unit is specified, it conventionally refers to kilometers per hour (km/h) in Korean. This is similar to how someone in the U.S. might casually say "I was doing 70" and everyone understands they mean 70 mph, whereas in Korea, saying 시속 70 is understood as 70 km/h.


나가: go out; go; head out; move/speed off

  • 나가다 (to go out; to leave; to head out) → 나가 (casual present form)


*Note: This line is essentially a braggadocious flex. RM isn't just moving quickly—he's portraying himself as unstoppable, leaving everyone behind. The playful 히히하하 뛰뛰빵빵 makes it sound almost cartoonish, as if he's gleefully flooring the accelerator. 나가 literally means "go" or "go out," but paired with 시속 300 ("300 km/h") and the engine/horn sound effects, it conveys the image of speeding off or charging ahead at incredible speed, emphasizing unstoppable momentum and confidence.


절차탁마의: of 절차탁마 (constant self-cultivation)

  • 절차탁마 (切磋琢磨, "to continually polish and refine oneself through effort") + -의 (possessive particle, "of")


*Note: 절차탁마 literally refers to cutting, filing, carving, and polishing jade or bone. Figuratively, it means to continually hone one's skills, knowledge, or character through persistent effort.


절차: procedure / process / steps


*Note: 절차탁마의 절차 밟았으 is a clever play on the repeated word 절차. 절차탁마 = the idiom meaning to relentlessly polish and improve oneself. 절차 = the process/steps. The repetition of 절차 emphasizes that his skill wasn't innate—it came from methodically enduring every stage of growth and practice. It's both a wordplay and a boast about the hard work behind his abilities.


밟았으: (I) went through; followed; underwent

  • 밟다 (to step on; to go through a process) + -았- (past tense) + -으(니/니까) (ending, often shortened in rap)


*Note: -으- (in 밟았으 here) is the beginning of a following ending that has been intentionally cut off. In standard Korean, it would normally continue into forms such as 밟았으니, 밟았으니까, or 밟았으면. In hip-hop, artists sometimes omit the final syllables of endings like -니, -니까, or -면 to fit the rhythm, maintain the rhyme, or create a punchier delivery while leaving the listener to infer the omitted ending. Here, 절차탁마의 절차 밟았으 conveys the idea, "I've gone through the process of relentless self-improvement," even though the sentence ending is left incomplete for stylistic effect.


안 가리고: not distinguishing and... / not picking and choosing / without discrimination (connective)

  • 안 (negation adverb meaning “not / without”) + 가리다 (to distinguish; to discriminate; to pick and choose) + -고 (connective ending “and”)


*Note: Although it's literally "not distinguishing," 안 가리고 is a common expression meaning "without picking and choosing" or "without exception." In this lyric, it means the speaker doesn't care who the target is—everyone gets taken down.


싹다: every single one; all of them

  • 싹 (completely; entirely) + 다 (all) → emphatic colloquial expression meaning "every last one"


잡아: catch / grab / seize

  • 잡다 (to catch, to grab, to seize) + -아 (casual present ending)


툼스톤: tombstone (from English)


*Note: 툼스톤 ("tombstone") reinforces the idea of completely defeating his rivals. After saying he "takes down every single one" (안 가리고 싹 다 잡아), RM adds 툼스톤, evoking the image of sending his opponents to the grave or burying the competition. The word may also allude to The Undertaker's "Tombstone Piledriver" finishing move (a famous finishing move in professional wrestling used to decisively defeat an opponent), further emphasizing a decisive knockout.

​Knock knock knock out

Fire in the hole bitch BING BING POW POW,


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


울며: crying / while crying

  • 울다 (to cry) + -며 (connective ending “while doing”)


*Note: -며 indicates that two actions happen at the same time or in sequence. Here, it means "crying as..." or "while crying..."


찾아가지: go looking for / go seek out

  • 찾아가다 (to go and visit; to go see; to go looking for; to seek out) + -지 (statement ending)


*Note: Here, -지 is a sentence-ending particle that adds an assertive, matter-of-fact tone rather than asking for agreement. In this battle rap context, it reinforces the speaker's mocking claim that the listener is the type to "go crying to your dad," making the taunt sound confident and dismissive.


니네: your; your family's

  • 너희 (you all) → 니네 (colloquial) ("your family/your household")


*Note: 니네 is a colloquial form of 너희 ("you all"). When used before a family member, however, it commonly means "your family" or simply "your," so 니네 아빠 naturally means "your dad."


아빠: dad (casual word for “father”)



시시각각: every moment; from moment to moment; constantly; continually


랩: rap


민짜들의: of the amateurs; of the immature ones; of the posers

  • 민짜 (literally "minor"; used figuratively here as an insult) + -들 (plural marker) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")


*Note: 민짜 is slang for 미성년자 ("minor" or "underage person"). Here, it is used metaphorically to belittle other rappers by portraying them as "just kids"—immature, inexperienced, and not worthy of being taken seriously.


목을: neck (object)

  • 목 (neck, throat) + -을 (object marker)


죄여오는: closing in; tightening around; pressing in; constricting

  • 죄여오다 (to close in on; to tighten around; to press in) → 죄여오는 (adnominal form modifying the following noun)


*Note: 죄여오는 is the adnominal form of 죄여오다 ("to close in on; to tighten around"). 죄여오다 combines 죄다 ("to tighten; to constrict") and 오다 ("to come"), literally meaning "to come tightening" or "to come closing in." Unlike simply describing something as tight or close, it emphasizes an ongoing process of pressure or danger actively approaching and becoming more intense. Here, 죄여오는 modifies voice, portraying the speaker's voice as something that is relentlessly closing in on and tightening around the "amateur/fake rappers'" throats.


내: my

  • 나 (I; me) + -의 (possessive particle, "of") → 내 (contracted form of 나의)


PC방: PC bang / internet café (방 = room)

  • Cultural note: a place where many young people play games, often staying until late night closing.


마감: closing time; closing; deadline → PC방 마감 = “PC bang closing time.”


*Note: The image is of his voice relentlessly closing in on and choking fake rappers, making it harder and harder for them to survive in the rap scene. The comparison to PC방 마감 (PC bang closing time) adds another layer. In Korea, when a PC bang reaches closing time—or when your prepaid time expires—your gaming session is forcibly ended. He's likening his voice to that unavoidable moment: His voice signals that it's game over for fake rappers. So the line conveys both constant pressure ("시시각각… 죄여오는") and an inevitable end ("PC방 마감"), reinforcing the idea that his presence is suffocating and eventually shuts down the competition.


여긴: here (topic)

  • 여기 (here) + -는 (topic marker) → 여긴 (contracted form of 여기는)


왕국: kingdom

  • 왕 (king) + 국 (nation, country) → “kingdom”


나는: I (topic) / as for me

  • 나 (I) + -는 (topic marker)


킹: king (loanword from English “king”)


너는: you (topic) / as for you

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker)


덤: bonus / extra / throw-in (something given for free on top, an extra → figuratively “leftover / not the main thing”)

​


짝: crunch / smack / bite (onomatopoeia for a sharp biting or chewing sound (“chomp,” “smack”)


씹어: chew

  • 씹다 (to chew) + -어 (present tense)


삼켜: swallow

  • 삼키다 (to swallow) + -어 (present tense)


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


버블껌: bubble gum


뛰는 놈: the guy who runs

  • 뛰다 (to run, to jump) + -는 (present adnominal ending, modifying the noun) + 놈 (guy, fellow — casual/rough noun, often in disses)


위에: above / on top of

  • 위 (top, above) + -에 (location particle)


나는 놈: the guy who flies

  • 날다 (to fly) → 나는 (flying, the one who flies) + 놈 (guy, fellow — casual/rough noun, often in disses)


*Note: When -는 is added to 날다 ("to fly") to modify a noun, the verb becomes 나는. Because 날다 is an ㄹ-irregular verb, the final ㄹ in the stem is dropped before endings beginning with ㄴ, so 날- + -는 becomes 나는, meaning "who flies" or "flying."


타는 놈: the guy who rides

  • 타다 (to ride) + -는 (present adnominal ending) + 놈 (guy, fellow — casual/rough noun, often in disses)



그게: that thing / that

  • 그 (that) + 게 (contraction of 것이, 것 = “thing” + -이 = subject marker)


나야: it’s me / I am

  • 나 (I, me) + -야 (copula ending: “am / is”)


비보다: than Rain (the Korean singer)

  • 비 (rain) + 보다 (comparative marker “than”)


나쁜: bad

  • 나쁘다 (to be bad) + -ㄴ (attributive adjective ending) → “bad (thing/person)”


놈: guy, fellow (casual/rough noun)


*Note: The Korean singer Rain (비 / Bi / Rain as stage name) has a song titled “나쁜 남자 (Bad Man / Bad Guy).



난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


걸레처럼: like a rag

  • 걸레 (rag / cleaning cloth; often used metaphorically for something dirty, worn-out, or worthless) + -처럼 (like / as if)


널기만 해: do nothing but hang (someone) up (like a rag)

  • 널다 (to hang up, e.g. laundry) + -기만 하다 (to do nothing but; to just keep doing) → 해 (casual present form)


갖고 논: toyed with / played around with

  • 갖고 놀다 (colloquial form of 가지고 놀다, "to play with; to toy with; to make a fool of") → 논 (past adnominal form)


*Note: 논 is the past adnominal ending (-ㄴ) attached to 놀다, turning the verb into a modifier that describes the following noun. Here, it modifies 다음 ("after"), so 갖고 논 다음 literally means "the next (moment) after having toyed with (someone)," or more naturally, "after toying with (someone)."


다음: after / following


니: your (colloquial for 너의 “your”)


고막을: eardrum (object)

  • 고막 (eardrum) + -을 (object marker)


찢어: tear / rip

  • 찢다 (to rip, tear) + -어 (present form)


단번에: in one go / all at once / in a single shot

  • 단번 (a single time, once) + -에 (at, in) → “at once, in one stroke.”


Boom boom boom



이건: this / this thing (topic)

  • 이 (this) + -것 (thing) + -은 (topic marker, contracted to 건)


내: my

  • 나 (I, me) + -의 (possessive marker) → contracted to 내


새벽의: of dawn / dawn's

  • 새벽 (dawn, early morning) + -의 (possessive particle “of”)


저주: curse


악몽: nightmare


폭행: assault, violence, battery


연쇄살인: serial murder / serial killing

  • 연쇄 (chain, series) + 살인 (murder, killing)


강도: robbery / mugging (also means “robber” depending on context)


Doom doom doom

​

넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


친구 없는: friendless / having no friends

  • 친구 (friend) + 없다 (to not exist / not have) + -는 (attributive form) → 없는 (“having none”)


카톡: KakaoTalk (Korea's most popular messaging app)


*Note: The comparison implies someone is as useless as KakaoTalk with no friends to message. Since the app's main purpose is communicating with friends, having no contacts makes it essentially pointless.


볼 일 없어: there's no reason to see (someone); I've got no business with (you); I've got no use for (you)

  • 보다 (to see) → 볼 (future/adnominal form, modifying 일) + 일 (matter; business; reason) + 없어 (casual present form of 없다, "to not exist")


*Note: 볼 일 없다 is a common fixed expression meaning "to have no business with someone" or "to have no use for someone." Although it literally means "there's no reason to see (someone)," it is understood idiomatically rather than word for word.


*Note: 친구 없는 카톡 ("KakaoTalk with no friends") compares the listener to a messaging app that has no one to message, making it essentially useless. Paired with 볼 일 없어 ("I've got no business with you" or "I've got no use for you"), the line dismisses the listener as someone not worth the speaker's time or attention.

벌써: already

지렸니?: did you piss yourself? / did you wet yourself?

  • 지리다 (to wet oneself, especially from fear, shock, or excitement) → 지렸 (past tense stem) + -니? (casual question ending)


미안: sorry

  • Short for 미안하다 ("to be sorry"). Here it is used sarcastically rather than as a genuine apology.

화장실: bathroom; restroom

  • 화장 (makeup; dressing up) + 실 (room)


*Note: Although the literal components are "makeup" + "room," 화장실 is simply the standard Korean word for a bathroom or restroom.


없어: there isn't; doesn't exist

  • 없다 (to not exist; to not have) → 없어 (casual present form)



내가: I / me (subject)

  • 나 (I; me) + -가 (subject marker) → 내가 (standard form; historical sound change)


*Note: When -가 is attached to 나, the form becomes 내가, not 나가. This is a historical sound change that became the standard form in modern Korean.


지금: now


명령해: command; order (someone to do something)

  • 명령하다 (to command; to give an order) → 명령해 (casual present form)


놓고: put down; set down (and...)

  • 놓다 (to put down; to set down) + -고 (connective ending, "and," "then," or indicating a sequence of actions)


*Note: Here, 놓고 connects two actions: first putting the mic down, then standing up.


일어서: stand up; get up

  • 일어서다 (to stand up; to rise) → 일어서 (casual imperative form)


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


그냥: just; simply; merely


천 해: be cloth / just be fabric

  • 천 (cloth; fabric) + 하다 (to do) → 해 (casual present form)


*Note: Here, 하다 is used in the pattern N 하다, where a noun is followed by 하다 to mean "be N," "act as N," or "take the role of N." Rather than expressing an action, it assigns an identity or role to the listener. In this lyric, 천 해 literally means "be cloth," naturally conveying "you're just cloth" or "just be fabric."


왜냐하면: because / since / the reason is


실 없어: have no thread / there's no thread

  • 실 (thread; yarn; string) + 없어 (informal present form of 없다, "to not exist; to not have")


*Note: The insult is based on the literal relationship between thread (실) and cloth (천). Thread is the material used to make cloth, so calling someone "cloth" while saying they have "no thread" creates the image of something incomplete or fundamentally lacking. Figuratively, it suggests the listener is missing the qualities that give a person real substance or worth.



난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


널: you (object)

  • 너 (you) + -를 (object marker) → 너를 → contracted to 널 in speech/lyrics


밀쳐내: push away / shove away

  • 밀쳐내다 (to push away; shove aside; force away) → 밀쳐내 (informal present form)


니가: you (subject form; spoken pronunciation of 네가)

  • 너 (you) + -가 (subject marker) → 네가 (commonly pronounced 니가)


너무: so; too; very


싫어서: because (I) hate; because (I) dislike

  • 싫다 (to be unpleasant; to dislike; to hate) + -어서 (because; so)


*Note: -어서 connects the two clauses by expressing cause or reason. It indicates that the action in the first clause (난 널 밀쳐내 — "I push you away") happens because of what follows: 니가 너무 싫어서 "because I hate you so much."



​나는: I (topic)

  • 나 (I) + -는 (topic marker)


바느질: sewing / needlework


좀: a little; a bit; pretty


잘해: do well / am good at

  • 잘하다 (to do well; to be good at) → 잘해 (informal present form) → 나는 바느질 좀 잘해 = “I’m pretty good at sewing.”


실 천해: thread + cloth / "put into practice" (wordplay)

  • 실 (thread; string) + 천 (cloth; fabric) + 해 (informal present form of 하다, "to do")


*Note: On the surface, 실 천해 can be understood as 실 ("thread") + 천 해 ("be cloth" / "make cloth"), continuing the sewing imagery introduced earlier in the verse. At the same time, it sounds identical to 실천해 (from 실천하다, "to put into practice" or "to carry out"). This creates a double meaning: it recalls the earlier 실 ("thread") and 천 ("cloth") wordplay while also suggesting that the speaker doesn't just talk—he puts his words into action.


나: I / me


지금: now / right now


으르렁대: growl; snarl

  • 으르렁대다 (to growl; to snarl repeatedly or aggressively) → 으르렁대 (informal present form)


*Note: 으르렁대다 is derived from the onomatopoeia 으르렁, which imitates the sound of an animal growling, especially a dog or wolf. The suffix -대다 adds the sense of repeatedly or characteristically performing the action. Rather than simply making a growling sound once, 으르렁대다 suggests continuously or aggressively growling. In rap, it metaphorically conveys a threatening, aggressive, or confrontational attitude.


너: you


좀: a bit / some


위험해: are dangerous; are in danger

  • 위험하다 (to be dangerous; to be in danger) → 위험해 (informal present form)


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


그냥: just; simply; merely


연 해: be a kite

  • 연 (kite, the toy flown in the wind) + 해 (informal present form of 하다).


Note: As with 천 해 earlier, 하다 is being used in the pattern N 하다, meaning "be N" or "act as N."


말했잖아: I told you (already) / I said (don’t you remember?)

  • 말하다 (to say) + -았- (past tense) + -잖아 (ending: “you know,” “as I said”)


*Note: -잖아 reminds the listener of something they already know or that has already been said. It often carries the nuance of: "I told you." "Like I said." "You know." Here it reinforces the callback to the earlier lyric.


실 없어: have no thread / there's no thread

  • 실 (thread; yarn; string) + 없어 (informal present form of 없다, "to not exist; to not have")


*Note: A kite (연) normally needs a string (실) to be controlled. If it has no string, it just floats away freely without direction. This line revisits the earlier 실 없어 ("you've got no thread/string") insult but changes the image. In both cases, the listener is mocked as lacking an essential component: cloth without thread and a kite without a string are both incomplete or useless. The repeated phrase 실 없어 ties the two metaphors together while shifting the imagery.

​


하늘로: to the sky / toward the sky

  • 하늘 (sky) + -로 (particle meaning “to / toward / into”)


올라가: go up / rise

  • 올라가다 (to go up, rise, ascend) → 올라가 (casual present form)


*Note: The repetition: 올라가 올라가 adds emphasis and creates the sense of continuous upward movement: "keep rising," "higher and higher."


찢어져: tear; rip apart; become torn

  • 찢어지다 (to tear; to rip; to become torn) → 찢어져 (informal present form)


*Note: 찢어지다 is the passive/intransitive counterpart of 찢다 ("to tear"), so it describes something becoming torn rather than someone actively tearing it.



주석: (1) annotation / footnote / commentary; (2) also a Korean rapper’s stage name

  • 주석 is the stage name of a Korean rapper. The phrase “난 널 잊었어” is exactly the title (and key lyric) of his song: “난 널 잊었어 (I Forgot You).” So using “주석, 난 널 잊었어” is like calling him out by name, and also echoing or invoking the song’s emotional theme.

  • “주석” also means “annotation / footnote” in Korean. So he could also be saying, metaphorically, “I forgot (you) footnote — you were just a note in the margin.” It’s mocking something as insignificant as a “footnote” (“you were just a footnote / you don’t matter”).


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I; me) + -는 (topic marker) → 난 (contracted form of 나는)


널: you (object)

  • 너 (you) + -를 (object marker) → contracted to 널


잊었어: forgot

  • 잊다 (to forget) + -었- (past tense marker) + -어 (informal sentence ending) → 잊었어


나의: my

  • 나 (I, me) + -의 (possessive marker)


목소리: voice


헤게모니: hegemony (A loanword from the English hegemony, referring to dominance, leadership, or control over others, especially through influence, power, or authority rather than direct force. It is often used in political, social, or cultural contexts to describe one group's ability to shape or control others.)


일부터 십까지: from one to ten

  • 일 (one) + -부터 (from) + 십 (ten) + -까지 (to, until) → “from one to ten / from beginning to end.”


싹 다: completely; entirely; all of it


내가: I / me (subject)

  • 나 (I; me) + -가 (subject marker) → 내가 (standard form; historical sound change)


*Note: When -가 is attached to 나, the form becomes 내가, not 나가. This is a historical sound change that became the standard form in modern Korean.


키웠어: raised / grew / developed.

  • 키우다 (to raise, grow, nurture, develop) + -었- (past tense) + -어 (informal sentence ending) → 키웠어


*Note: It’s a bragging line: “I built everything myself, from start to finish — my voice, my dominance.” 싹 다 intensifies the claim: not partly, but entirely. 헤게모니 gives it a lofty, almost political feel — not just “influence,” but “commanding power.”



나: I / me


온 세상을: the whole world (object)

  • 온 (whole, entire) + 세상 (world) + 을 (object marker)


내: my

  • 나 (I; me) + -의 (possessive particle, "of") → 내 (contracted form of 나의)


혀: tongue


위에: on top of / above

  • 위 (top, above) + -에 (location particle) → 내 혀 위에: “on my tongue”


올려다 놓지: place / put upon

  • 올려다 놓다 (to put or place something up/on top) + -지 (sentence-ending particle)


*Note: 올려다 놓다 literally means "to lift something up and place it there," emphasizing that something is not only raised but left in an elevated position.


*Note: -지 is a sentence-ending particle that gives a statement additional emphasis. Depending on the context, it can express confidence, remind the listener of something, or present something as obvious or matter-of-fact. In this lyric, it adds a confident, boastful tone to the speaker's statement.


큰: big / large

  • 크다 (to be big, large) + -ㄴ (attributive ending) → 큰 (big …)


*Note: The adnominal ending -ㄴ turns the descriptive verb into a modifier, allowing it to describe the following noun 데 ("place"). Together, 큰 데 literally means "a big place."


데서: at the place / in the place

  • 데 (place, spot, area) + -에서 (location particle “at / in”)


*Note: 데 refers to a place, location, or setting. The location particle -에서 indicates where an action takes place. In this expression, 큰 데서 literally means "at a big place," but figuratively refers to operating on a bigger stage or at a higher level.


놀아: play / hang out

  • 놀다 (to play, hang out) + -아 (casual present ending) → 놀아 (informal present form)

I ain't spittin’ low shit

​


아님: or / if not

  • 아니다 (to not be) + -면 (if) → 아니면 (literally = “if not (that)” → used like “or”) → 아님 (a shortened or casual spoken/written form)

You can see me, envy me, it's a pity, gee gee

Bitch I'mma monster, I rap with a prospect,


Yeah I rap with a mindset, I'm a suspect

Sucka where your rhymes at, where your lines at?

I'm da king, I'm the god, so where ma emperors at?

I parachute on my Neverland, I'mma peter pan, so this will never end

You know when I ride on my G5 you sit first class and satisfy and I keep giggling


Keep gigglin, keep jigglin,


Bring your fucking mic bitch



한판: one round / one match

  • 한 (one) + 판 (round; game; match; bout)


붙어볼래?: want to fight?; want to take me on?

  • 붙어보다 (to try taking someone on; to try fighting or competing against someone) + -ㄹ래? (want to...?)


*Note: 붙어보다 is a compound verb: 붙다 (to stick; to attach; to face off; to engage in a fight or competition) + -아/어 보다 (to try doing something). The ending -ㄹ래? asks whether someone wants or is willing to do something. In challenges or confrontations, it has the nuance of "Do you want to...?"



자부심과: pride and

  • 자부심 (pride, self-confidence) + -과 (and/with)


*Note: The particle -과 connects 자부심 with the following noun 이상한 신념 ("strange beliefs").


이상한: strange / weird

  • 이상하다 (to be strange) + -ㄴ (attributive ending)


*Note: The adnominal ending -ㄴ turns the descriptive verb into a modifier describing the following noun 신념 ("belief").


신념뿐인: nothing but belief / only conviction

  • 신념 (belief; conviction) + 뿐 (only; nothing but) + -인 (adnominal form of 이다, "to be")


*Note: 뿐 emphasizes exclusivity ("only" or "nothing but"), while -인 modifies the following noun. Together, 신념뿐인 means "having nothing but beliefs" or "consisting only of convictions."


신병: (1): newbie soldier / rookie (slang, esp. in military context, literally “new recruit” (신 = new, 병 = soldier). (2): spirit illness / spiritual sickness (신 = spirit, god, deity,

병 = illness, sickness, used sarcastically to describe people acting like they’re “possessed” by some divine inspiration, overly “enlightened” or “deep,” or basically pretentious and delusional).


걸린: afflicted with / caught

  • 걸리다 (to be caught; to be afflicted with; to fall into a state) + -ㄴ (adnominal ending)


*Note: The adnominal ending -ㄴ turns the verb into a modifier describing the following noun. 걸리다 is commonly used to express being affected by something, such as an illness, condition, or situation. In this lyric, 걸린 modifies 형들 ("older guys"), meaning they are afflicted with or suffering from 신병.


형들은: older guys (topic)

  • 형 (older brother, senior male) + -들 (plural) + -은 (topic marker)


8마디면: when it’s 8 bars / if given 8 bars

  • 8마디 (eight measures/bars, in music/rap) + -면 (if/when)


헤벌레: gaping; left dumbfounded


*Note: 헤벌레 is an ideophone describing someone with their mouth hanging open in a foolish or dazed expression. Depending on the context, it can suggest being so shocked, overwhelmed, or impressed that you're left staring blankly or unable to respond. In this lyric, it suggests RM's opponents are left stunned and speechless after hearing just eight bars of his rap.


​

늙은: old / aged

  • 늙다 (to grow old) + -은 (adnominal ending)


*Note: The adnominal ending -은 turns the verb into a modifier describing the following noun 애벌레 ("caterpillar" or "larva"). Here, it literally means "old" or "aged."


애벌레: caterpillar / larva


*Note: 애벌레 is a noun meaning "caterpillar" or, more generally, "larva." Literally, it refers to the immature stage of an insect before it transforms. In this lyric, it is used metaphorically as an insult, portraying the opponent as undeveloped or insignificant. Combined with 늙은 ("old"), the image becomes even more mocking—someone who is both old and still hasn't matured or transformed.


더 더 더 더러: more, more, more... to you (possible wordplay)

  • 더 (more) + 더 (more) + 더 (more) + 더러 (to; toward someone)


*Note: The repeated 더 intensifies the statement, building emphasis and momentum. 더러 is a literary or dialectal particle meaning "to" or "toward someone," similar to 에게 or 한테. Here, it marks the recipient of the following action.


이: this


줄게: I’ll give (you)

  • 주다 (to give) + -ㄹ게 (I will; I'll)


*Note: The ending -ㄹ게 expresses the speaker's intention or promise to do something. Here, it means "I'll give."


​한 번: once / one time

  • 한 (one) + 번 (time; occurrence)


*Note: Together, 한 번 means "once" or "one time." When used before a verb, it often carries the nuance of "give it a try."


해봐: try doing it

  • 하다 (to do) + -아/어 보다 (to try doing something) → 해봐 (informal imperative)


*Note: The grammar -아/어 보다 means "to try" doing an action. Here, 해봐 challenges or encourages someone to try it, naturally translating as "try it" or "go ahead and do it."


버 버 버러: stuttering / onomatopoeic effect

  • 버러 doesn’t carry a dictionary meaning here — it’s more of a vocal play for rhythm and attitude. Repetition of “버” creates a stammering sound, often used in rap to mimic glitching, stumbling, or to mock someone. It might imitate someone saying “버려 (throw it away)” or “벌어 (earn)” but drawn out rhythmically.



지들아: hey, you guys

  • 지들 (colloquial, often rude form of 자기들, used here to address a group dismissively) + -아 (vocative particle used when calling or addressing someone) → "Hey, you guys..."


랩이나: at least rap

  • 랩 (rap) + -이나 (at least; if nothing else)


좀: a little / a bit


잘하고: do well, and…

  • 잘하다 (to do well; to be good at) + -고 (connective ending meaning "and")


*Note: The connective -고 links this action to the next one. Here, it means "do well at rapping, and then..."


떠들어: talk; run your mouth

  • 떠들다 (to chatter; to make noise; to babble; to talk loudly) → 떠들어 (informal imperative)


*Note: While 떠들다 can simply mean "to chatter," in confrontational contexts it often carries the negative nuance of "run your mouth," "talk big," or "talk trash." Here, RM sarcastically tells the listener to become good at rapping before talking so much.


니넨: you guys (topic) / as for you guys

  • 니네 (you guys; your group) + -는 (topic particle) → 니넨 (contracted form of 니네는)


랩: rap (loanword from English)


못하게 해야 돼: have to stop (someone) from doing it; must prevent (someone) from doing it

  • 못하다 (to be unable to do) + -게 하다 (to make someone do; to cause someone to do) + -아/어야 되다 (must; have to)


*Note: The grammar 못하게 하다 means "to make someone unable to do something," "to prevent someone from doing something," or "to stop someone from doing something." Adding -아/어야 되다 expresses obligation, so 못하게 해야 돼 means "have to stop (someone) from doing it," "must prevent (someone) from doing it," or "need to make sure they can't do it."


법으로: by law

  • 법 (law) + -으로 (particle meaning "by," "through," "by means of")



Ready to continue? Read Part 2 for the rest of the lyrics and explanations, including j-hope's second refrain and SUGA's rap.



Please note ♡ : To fully understand the Korean language and its’ use in BTS’ music, a more comprehensive study method is recommended in addition to this content. (There are many great resources online for learning Korean!) 💜 Please credit me & link my site if you use or share any of the translations or content from my site. Thank you. :)


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BTS Cypher Pt.2: Triptych album art and title displayed with Korean text and "Because of who?" in English, set against a dark background.
BTS (방탄소년단) - 'BTS Cypher Pt.2: Triptych' Lyric Video


 
 
 

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