Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics | '등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)' Korean Lyrics Explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqG8CF1eKlY

Let’s study Korean with BTS Lyrics! In this post, we’ll break down each lyric in BTS’ ‘등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)’ 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) - '등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)' Lyrics (With English Translation & Korean Grammar/Vocabulary Notes)

*Note: 등골 (spine, backbone) + 브레이커 (breaker, loanword from English “breaker”) is figurative slang meaning “someone who breaks their parents’ backs” (from overwork or expenses) — referring to kids who pressure their parents to buy expensive branded goods, causing financial strain. In “등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)”, the puffer jacket (패딩) symbolizes consumer greed, obsession with image and status, and valuing possessions over people.

왜 불러 Why do you call me

왜: why

불러: (you) call / are calling

• 부르다 (to call, to sing) + -어 (informal present tense ending, casual)

왜 불러 Why do you call me

왜: why

불러: (you) call / are calling

• 부르다 (to call, to sing) + -어 (informal present tense ending, casual)

[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

(La la la la la la la la la)

(La la la la la la la la la)

[RM] : You know that BTS is back

[Suga] : 수십짜리 신발에 또 수백짜리 패딩 Shoes that cost tens (of dollars) and padded jackets that cost hundreds (of dollars)

수십짜리: worth tens / costing in the tens [of an understood unit]

• 수십 (several tens; dozens) + -짜리 (worth/costing a specified amount; of a specified value)

신발에 또: shoes, plus / shoes, and on top of that

• 신발 (shoes) + -에 (particle with an additive/connecting function here) + 또 (also; additionally)

*Note: Here -에 and 또 work together to connect the next item to 신발 with an additive sense like “plus,” “and also,” or “on top of that.” This creates a piling-up effect as the speaker lists expensive items.

수백짜리: worth hundreds / costing hundreds [of an understood unit]

• 수백 (several hundred; hundreds) + -짜리 (of a specified value/amount; worth/costing)

패딩: padded jacket, puffer jacket (loanword from “padding”)

*Note: Korean 패딩 refers to the thick, insulated puffer-style jackets commonly worn in winter.

수십짜리 시계에 또 으스대지 괜히 Showing off your watch worth tens (of thousands) again for no reason

수십짜리: worth tens (of) / costing tens (of …)

• 수십 (tens, several tens) + 짜리 (suffix meaning “worth / costing / priced at”) → “something that costs tens (of thousands)” or “worth tens (of dollars, hundreds, etc.),” depending on context

시계에 또: (a) watch, plus / (a) watch, and on top of that

• 시계 (watch) + -에 (particle with an additive/connecting function here) + 또 (also; additionally; again)

*Note: Here -에 and 또 work together with an additive sense like “plus,” “and also,” or “on top of that,” continuing the piling-up effect of the surrounding lines.

으스대지: (you) show off / act smug / swagger

• 으스대다 (to swagger, brag, show off) + 지 (gives the statement an assertive, knowing tone, as though pointing out behavior that is obvious or recognizable: “[you] show off, you know.”)

괜히: in vain / uselessly / for no reason / pointlessly

교육은 산으로 가고 학생도 산으로 가 Education goes to the mountains, students go to the mountains too

교육은: education (topic) / as for education

• 교육 (education) + 은 (topic particle meaning “as for / regarding”)

산으로: to the mountains

• 산 (mountain) + 으로 (particle meaning “toward / into / to”)

가고: go and / goes and

• 가다 (to go) + 고 (connective ending meaning “and / and then”)

학생도: students too / students also

• 학생 (student) + 도 (particle meaning “too / also”)

산으로: to the mountains

• 산 (mountain) + 으로 (toward / into / to)

가: go / goes

• 가다 (to go) → 가 (present tense casual)

Idiomatic meaning: “Education is going off track, and students are going off track too.”

21세기 계급은 반으로 딱 나눠져 In the 21st century, class is divided exactly in half

21세기: 21st century

• 21 (twenty-one) + 세기 (century)

계급은: class (topic)

• 계급 (class, rank) + 은 (topic particle meaning “as for / regarding”)

반으로: in half / into halves

• 반 (half) + 으로 (particle meaning “into / as / by means of”)

딱: exactly / sharply / cleanly / perfectly

나눠져: is divided / gets split

• 나눠지다 (to be divided) → 나눠져 (casual present tense)

있는 자와 없는 자 Those who have and those who don’t

있는: having / that exists / who has

• 있다 (to exist, to have) + 는 (attributive form, modifies the following noun → “the one who has / the one that exists”)

자와: the person and …

• 자 (person, individual — formal/literary) + 와 (particle meaning “and (with)”)

없는: not having / that does not exist / who doesn’t have

• 없다 (to not exist, to not have) + 는 (attributive form, modifies the following noun → “the one who does not have”)

자: person, individual (the one who…)

*Note: 자 is a somewhat literary or formal word for “person/one,” as in “one who does X.”

*Note: Figuratively: “the haves and the have-nots”

신은 자와 없는 자 Those who wear shoes and those who don’t

신은: wearing (on the feet) / (the one who) put on

• 신다 (to wear, put on — for shoes or socks) + 은 (attributive ending — past/perfective)

자와: the person and …

• 자 (person, individual — formal/literary) + 와 (particle meaning “and (with)”)

없는: not having / without

• 없다 (to not exist, to not have) + 는 (attributive form)

자: person, individual

입은 자와 벗는 자 Those who wear (clothes) and those who take them off

입은: wearing / (the one who) wears

• 입다 (to wear, put on (clothes)) + - 은 (attributive ending, modifies the next noun → “the one who has worn / is wearing”)

자와: the person and …

• 자 (person, individual (formal/literary “the one who…”) + -와 (particle meaning “and (with)”)

벗는: taking off / (the one who) takes off

• 벗다 (to take off (clothes, shoes, hats, etc.) + -는(attributive ending - present tense, “the one who is taking off”)

자: person, individual

또 기를 써서 얻는 자 And those who try hard to get them

또: again / also / furthermore

기를 써서: by trying with all one’s might / by making every effort

• 기를 쓰다 (to strain oneself; exert oneself; try desperately; do everything one can) + -아서/어서 (connective ending meaning “by,” “and,” or “because,” depending on context)

얻는: who obtains [it] / who gets [it]

• 얻다 (to obtain, to get) + 는 (present attributive ending modifying 자)

자: person, individual (literary/formal “the one who…”)

이게 뭔 일이니 유행에서 넌 밀리니? What's going on here? Are you falling behind the trend?

이게: this (subject) / this thing

• 이것 (this; this thing) + -이 (subject marker) → 이것이 → 이게

*Note: 이게 is the common contracted form of 이것이.

뭔: what / what kind of

• 무엇 (what) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ (attributive ending): 무엇인 → 무언 → 뭔

Note: 뭔 comes before the noun 일 (thing; matter; situation), so 뭔 일 literally has the sense of “what matter/situation?” In everyday Korean, 뭔 일 is commonly used like 무슨 일: “what’s going on?” or “what happened?”

일이니: what is the situation? / what’s going on?

• 일 (thing; matter; situation) + 이다 (to be) + -니? (informal question ending)

→ 뭔 일이니: what’s going on? / what is this? / what happened?

유행에서: in/from the trend(s)

• 유행 (trend; fashion; what is popular) + -에서 (particle marking the context or sphere in which something occurs)

*Note: With 밀리다, this gives the sense of being pushed back or falling behind “in terms of trends.”

넌: as for you / you (topic)

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

밀리니?: are [you] falling behind? / are [you] being left behind?

• 밀리다 (to be pushed back; be outdone; fall behind) + -니? (informal interrogative ending)

*Note: 밀리다 literally involves being “pushed back,” but figuratively it can mean losing ground or failing to keep up with others.

떼를 쓰고 애를 써서 얻어냈지, 찔리지? You threw a tantrum and struggled hard to get it, don’t you feel guilty?

떼를 쓰고: throwing a tantrum and / making a fuss and...

• 떼를 쓰다 (to throw a tantrum; stubbornly demand something; insist on getting one’s way) + -고 (connective ending meaning “and”)

*Note: 떼를 쓰다 is a fixed expression. It describes persistently demanding something, often in a childish or unreasonable way.

애를 써서: by making an effort / by trying hard

• 애를 쓰다 (to make an effort; try hard; struggle) + -아서/어서 (connective ending meaning “by,” “because,” or “and,” depending on context)

얻어냈지: obtained / managed to get (with nuance of persistence)

• 얻어내다 (to obtain; get; manage to acquire) + -었- (past tense) + -지 (informal ending expressing assertion, confirmation, or shared understanding)

*Note: 얻어내다 is stronger than simply 얻다 (“to get”). -어 내다 adds the sense of accomplishing something through effort or difficulty: “to manage to get,” “to succeed in obtaining.”

찔리지?: you feel guilty, don’t you? / doesn’t it prick you?

• 찔리다 (to be pricked; be stabbed; figuratively, to feel guilty or personally targeted because something applies to you) + -지? (informal ending seeking confirmation: “right?” / “doesn’t it?”)

*Note: Here 찔리다 is figurative. The speaker is essentially asking whether the listener feels uncomfortable or guilty because the criticism describes them.

가득 찬 패딩 마냥 욕심이 계속 차 Full of greed like your coat full of padding

가득 찬: completely full / filled to capacity

• 가득 (fully; completely; to the brim) + 차다 (to be full; be filled) + -ㄴ (attributive ending)

*Note: 차다 → 찬 before a noun, so 가득 찬 modifies 패딩: “a puffer jacket that is completely full/stuffed.”

패딩: padded jacket / puffer (loanword from “padding”)

마냥: like; as if; just like

욕심이: greed / desire (as the subject)

• 욕심 (greed, desire) + -이 (subject particle)

계속: continuously; continually

차: fills up / gets full

• 차다 (to be filled, to become full) → (present tense casual form)

*Note: There is wordplay around 차다. First, 가득 찬 describes a 패딩 that is “fully filled/stuffed” with insulation. Then 차다 is repeated for 욕심이 계속 차, portraying his 욕심 as similarly continuing to fill or swell up. The image is essentially: “Like a stuffed puffer jacket, your greed/desire just keeps filling up.”

휘어지는 부모 등골을 봐도 넌 매몰차 Even when you see your parents’ backs bending (under the burden), you’re heartless

휘어지는: bending / becoming bent

• 휘어지다 (to bend; become bent; curve) + -는 (attributive present tense ending, describing a currently ongoing action: “that is bending”)

*Note: 휘어지는 modifies 부모 등골: “parents’ backs that are bending.” It creates an image of the parents being physically worn down under a burden, especially the financial burden of supporting their child.

부모: parents

등골을: backbone / spine (object)

• 등골 (spine, backbone) + -을 (object particle)

*Note: 등골 literally refers to the spine/backbone, but it has an important figurative association here. Korean uses expressions such as 부모 등골을 빼먹다 / 등골이 휘다 for parents being financially drained or burdened by their children.

봐도: even if (you) see / though (you) look

• 보다 (to see, to look at) + -아도 (connective ending meaning “even if / even though”)

넌: you (topic) / as for you

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic particle, emphasizing contrast or topic)

매몰차: (you’re) cold-hearted / harsh / unfeeling

• 매몰차다 (to be cold, heartless, indifferent) → 매몰차 (informal present tense)

*Note: The line criticizes someone for continuing to pursue expensive status items despite seeing the financial strain this places on their parents. 휘어지는 부모 등골 evokes parents’ backs bending under that burden, while 봐도 … 매몰차 emphasizes the lack of concern: “Even seeing your parents being worn down by it, you’re still cold-hearted.”

친구는 다 있다고 졸라대니 안 사줄 수도 없다고 You complain that all your friends have them, so your parents can't help but buy you one

친구는: friends (topic) / as for friends

• 친구 (friend) + -는 (topic particle, “as for …”)

다: all / everyone

있다고: (they) say (there) is / (they) have (quoted)

• 있다 (to exist, to have) + -다고 (quoted ending meaning “that …”)

졸라대니: since (they) keep pestering / because (they) keep begging

• 졸라대다 (to nag, to beg persistently, to pester) + -니 (ending meaning “because / since”)

*Note: 조르다 (to pester; beg persistently; nag for something) + -아/어 대다 (to keep doing something repeatedly or excessively). -아/어 대다 adds the sense that the action is being done persistently or repeatedly, often with an annoyed or negative nuance.

안 사줄 수도 없다고: (saying) (they) couldn’t not buy it for you

• 안 (not, adverb of negation, placed before verbs) + 사주다 (to buy (something) for someone, 사다 (to buy) + -아주다 (to do something for someone’s benefit)) → 안 사주다 (to not buy (for someone)) + -ㄹ 수도 없다 (can’t even / can’t possibly) + -다고 (quoting that thought or statement → “(saying) I couldn’t not buy it”)

​(Ayo baby)

철딱서니 없게 굴지 말어 Don’t act immaturely

철딱서니 없게: immaturely / without any sense or maturity

• 철딱서니 (sense; maturity; good judgment) + 없다 (to not have; lack) + -게 (adverbial ending meaning “in a ... manner”) → 철딱서니 없게 (“in an immature/senseless way”)

*Note: 철딱서니 is a colloquial word referring to the maturity, awareness, or good sense someone is expected to develop as they grow up. 철딱서니 없다 describes someone who is immature, thoughtless, or lacking good sense.

굴지 말어: don’t act (like that) / don’t behave that way

• 굴다 (to behave, to act, to conduct oneself) + -지 말다 (don’t (verb)) → 말어 (colloquial casual present tense)

*Note: 말어 is a colloquial/nonstandard form of 말아, giving the lyric a casual spoken quality.

그깟 패딩 안 입는다고 얼어 죽진 않어 Not wearing that trivial padded jacket won’t actually make you freeze to death

그깟: that trivial / that petty / such a small (thing) → 그깟 패딩 = “that measly padded jacket” / “that stupid coat”

*Note: 그깟 is dismissive and belittles the importance or value of something: “that mere...,” “something as trivial as...” Here it dismisses the expensive 패딩 as something that is not actually necessary or worth making such a fuss over.

패딩: padded jacket / puffer (loanword from “padding”)

안 입는다고: just because you don’t wear (it)

• 안 입다 (to not wear, 안 (not verb) + 입다 (to wear)) + -는다고 (saying / thinking that (someone) does …, reports, mocks, or gives cause (“just because …”))

*Note: -다고 can develop a causal sense in constructions like X-다고 Y, especially when rejecting an assumed consequence: “just because X, that doesn’t mean Y.”

얼어 죽진 않어: (you) won’t freeze to death / it’s not like you’ll actually freeze to death

• 얼어 죽다 (to freeze to death (얼다 = to freeze, 죽다 = to die)) + -지는 않다 (emphatic negative: “not really / not at all / won’t actually”) → 얼어 죽지는 않아 (casual present tense) → 얼어 죽진 않아 (contracted)

*Note: -지는 않다 emphasizes the negation and contrasts it with an implied assumption: “it’s not as though you’ll freeze to death.” -지는 is commonly contracted to -진.

패딩 안에 거위털을 채우기 전에 Before you fill the padded jacket with goose down

패딩: padded jacket / puffer (loanword from “padding”)

안에: inside / within

• 안 (inside) + -에 (location particle meaning “in / at / on”)

*Note: With 채우다, -에 marks where something is being put: “into the puffer jacket.”

거위털을: goose feathers (object)

• 거위 (goose) + 털 (feather, down, fur, hair) + -을 (object particle)

*Note: 거위털 refers to goose feathers/down used as insulation in padded jackets.

채우기 전에: before (you) fill it up / before filling it

• 채우다 (to fill, to stuff) + -기 전에 (before doing (verb))

니 머릿속 개념을 채우길, 늦기 전에 I hope you fill your head with ideas, before it's too late

니: your

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle) → 네 (your) → 니 (colloquial pronunciation/spelling used to avoid confusion with 내, “my”)

머릿속: inside (your) head / in (your) mind

• 머리 (head) + -속 (inside, within)

개념을: concept / understanding (object)

• 개념 (concept, idea, sense) + -을 (object particle)

*Note: 개념 literally refers to a “concept” or “notion,” so 머릿속 개념을 채우다 can evoke the image of filling one’s head with concepts, ideas, or understanding. At the same time, 개념 can colloquially mean “sense” or “proper awareness,” so the line may also carry the sharper implication of “get some sense into your head.” The wording allows both the literal image of filling the mind with ideas/understanding and the critical sense that the person currently lacks proper sense.

채우길: (I) hope (you) fill / may (you) fill (hopeful or wishing nuance)

• 채우다 (to fill) + -길 (contraction of -기를, nominalizing form used to express desire or hope — “that you fill / may you fill”)

늦기 전에: before it’s too late / before being late

• 늦다 (to be late) + -기 전에 (before doing (verb))

[V] : Wow 기분 좋아 걸쳐보는 너의 dirty clothes Wow, I feel good, trying on your dirty clothes

기분: feeling / mood

좋아: good / (I) feel good

• 좋다 (to be good) + -아 (casual present ending → used for statements like “it’s good” or “I feel good”)

걸쳐보는: trying on / putting on (to see)

• 걸치다 (to put on, to drape, to wear) + -어보다 (to try doing something) → 걸쳐보다 = “to try wearing / to try putting on" + -는 (present-tense attributive ending, used to describe a noun — like adding “-ing” or “who/that [verb-s]” in English)

너의: your

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”)

넌 뭔가 다른 You're somewhat different

넌: you (as for you)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic particle, marking “as for you”)

뭔가: something / somewhat / kind of

다른: different / another

• 다르다 (to be different) + -ㄴ (attributive ending forming “different (thing/person)”)

​Rockin, rollin, swaggin, swagger, wrong!

[Jungkook] : 도대체 왜 이래 미쳤어 baby What on earth is wrong with you? You’re crazy, baby

도대체: on earth / what the heck / how in the world

• Intensifier used in questions or exclamations to express frustration, disbelief, or emphasis (“what on earth / how in the world”).

왜: why

이래: like this / acting this way

• 이렇다 (to be like this) → 이래 (casual spoken form, meaning “be like this / act like this”) → 왜 이래 = “why are you like this?” / “what’s wrong with you?”

미쳤어: (you) are crazy / went crazy

• 미치다 (to go crazy, to lose one’s mind) + -었어 (past tense casual ending → “went crazy / have gone crazy") → 미쳤어 = “You’re crazy / You’ve lost it.”

[V] : 그게 너의 맘을 조여버릴 거야, dirty clothes That (thing) will tighten your heart, dirty clothes

그게: that (thing) / that is

• 그 (that) + 것 (thing) + 이 (subject particle) → contracted form 그것이 → 그게 (“that thing / that is”).

너의: your

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”).

맘을: heart / mind (object form)

• 맘 (colloquial contraction of 마음, meaning heart, mind, feelings) + -을 (object particle).

조여버릴: it will squeeze / will tighten completely

• 조이다 (to tighten, to squeeze, to press) + -어버리다 (auxiliary verb meaning “completely / entirely,” often implying finality or negativity) + ㄹ 거야 (future tense ending, casual)

*A puffer coat (패딩) is big, heavy, and full — and when zipped up, it literally presses around your body. This lyric works on two levels. Physically, it recalls the way a puffer jacket hugs and restricts the body; emotionally, it implies inner constriction — losing warmth, becoming cold, defensive, and hardened. “It’ll tighten your heart” can subtly suggest: “It’ll make your heart harden, close off, lose feeling.”

In “등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)”, the puffer jacket (패딩) symbolizes consumer greed, obsession with image and status, and valuing possessions over people. So when the lyric says “그게 너의 맘을 조여버릴 거야,” it’s as if that very jacket — the one meant to keep you warm — has turned against you. “That jacket, that greed, will squeeze your heart until there’s no warmth left.” “Your obsession will make you cold inside.”

Ultimately, the line conveys the emotional weight of materialism — your heart being squeezed by desire, vanity, and guilt.

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

[Jungkook] : 니가 바로 등골브레이커 You are exactly the spine-breaker

니가: you (subject)

• 너 (you) + -가 (subject particle)

바로: exactly / just / precisely / right (at that moment or place).

등골브레이커: spine-breaker

• 등골 (spine, backbone) + 브레이커 (breaker, loanword from English “breaker”). Figurative slang meaning “someone who breaks their parents’ backs” — referring to kids who pressure their parents to buy expensive branded goods, causing financial strain.

  
  

*Figurative: “You’re the one who breaks your parents’ back with your demands."

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

[Jin] : 부모님의 등골브레이커 Your parents’ backbreaker

부모님의: parents’ / of the parents

• 부모 (parents) + -님 (honorific suffix meaning “respected”) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”) → 부모님의 = “of the parents” / “parents’.”

등골브레이커: spine-breaker

• 등골 (spine, backbone) + 브레이커 (breaker, loanword from English “breaker”). Slang meaning: a child who financially burdens their parents by constantly demanding expensive or luxury items, as if “breaking their parents’ backs.”

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

[Jimin] : 언젠가는 후회하게 될 걸 Someday you’ll regret it

언젠가는: someday / at some point (for sure)

• 언젠가 (“someday / sometime”) + -는 (topic particle adding emphasis: “as for someday / someday at least”).

후회하게 될 걸: (It’s) the thing that you will end up regretting / You’ll regret it

• 후회하다 (to regret) + -게 되다 (“to end up doing / come to do”) → 후회하게 되다 (“to end up regretting”) + -ㄹ 걸 (soft warning or foretelling tone, “probably / I bet …” / "you’ll see") (-ㄹ (attributive future ending) + 것을 (thing + object particle) → 될 걸

  “the thing that will (become / happen)”)

  *Grammar note: 것을 takes the object particle -을 (contracted to 걸) because it’s the object of an implied verb (like “see,” “know,” or “realize”) that’s dropped from the sentence for stylistic, emotional, or predictive effect. 언젠가는 후회하게 될 걸 =

  literally: “(It’s) the thing that you will come to regret someday,” but feels like “You’ll regret it someday — you’ll see.”

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

빌어먹을 등골브레이커 Damn spine-breaker

빌어먹을: Damn / Freaking

• 빌어먹다 (literally “to beg and eat (off someone else).” Idiomatic, used as a curse or insult similar to “damn,” “freaking,” etc. It literally evokes the image of “someone so pitiful they have to beg for food,” but in modern use it’s just an intensifier expressing frustration or contempt.)

등골브레이커: Spine breaker

• 등골 (spine) + 브레이커 (breaker). Refers to a kid who burdens their parents financially—“breaking their parents’ backs” (from overwork or expenses). Often used for teens demanding expensive clothes or luxury items.

[RM] : 왜 불러 kid? 너넨 요즘 참 배불렀지 Why are you calling me, kid? You guys have been really spoiled these days, haven’t you?

왜: why

불러: (you) call / are calling

• 부르다 (to call, to sing) + -어 (casual present tense ending → “you call / you’re calling”).

너넨: you guys (as for you)

• 너네 (you plural, “you guys”) + -는 (topic particle → “as for you guys”).

요즘: these days / recently

참: really / truly / quite (adds nuance of mild sarcasm or emphasis depending on tone).

배불렀지: (you) were full / have been full (figuratively: “you’ve had it good,” “you’ve been spoiled / complacent”)

• 배부르다 (to be full, literally “full from eating”) + -었- (past tense marker) + -지 (casual sentence ending, softening or adding nuance like “you know / weren’t you”).

남의 인생 참견이 좀 주제넘지 It's a bit presumptuous to meddle in other people's lives, isn’t it?

남의: others’ / someone else’s

• 남 (another person, others) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”) → “of another person / someone else’s.”

인생: life

참견이: interference / meddling (as the subject)

• 참견 (interference, nosiness, butting in) + -이 (subject particle).

좀: a bit / kind of / rather (softening or moderating adverb).

주제넘지: presumptuous / out of line, isn’t it

• 주제넘다 (to overstep, to be presumptuous, to go beyond one’s place) + -지 (sentence-ending particle adding a tone of mildness, confirmation, or rhetorical emphasis — “isn’t it / you know”).

속 빈 강정뿐인 말들을 왜 계속해 Why do you keep saying empty words?

속: inside / interior

빈: empty

• 비다 (to be empty) + -ㄴ (attributive ending → “empty (thing)”).

강정: gangjeong (traditional Korean puffed rice snack) Often hollow inside → used figuratively to describe something empty or lacking substance, like “empty words.”

뿐인: only / nothing but

• 뿐 (only, merely) + -인 (attributive form of 이다, “to be”) → “that is only … / that is nothing but ….”

말들을: words (object form)

• 말 (word, speech) + -들 (plural marker) + -을 (object particle).

왜: why

계속해: keep doing / continue

• 계속하다 (to continue) + -해 (casual present tense ending → “keep doing / you continue”).

"Why do you keep saying words that are nothing but empty (like hollow rice snacks)?”

내가 받은 돈 내가 쓰겠다는데 I said I'd use the money I received

내가: I (as subject)

• 나 (I, me) + -가 (subject particle marking the subject of the verb).

받은: received / the one I got

• 받다 (to receive) + -은 (attributive past tense ending → “that I received / received …”).

돈: money

쓰겠다는데: (I) say I will spend / (I) intend to use (but…)

• 쓰겠다 ((I) will use / intend to use / want to use) + -는데 (connective ending often used to add contrast, background, or frustration — here implying “I’m saying I’ll spend it (but…)”).

5천만의 취향을 다 니들처럼 맞춰야 만족할 사람들이지 You’re the kind of people who’ll only be satisfied if all 50 million people’s tastes match yours

5천만의: of fifty million

• 5천만 (fifty million) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”) → “of fifty million.”

취향을: tastes / preferences (object form)

• 취향 (taste, preference) + -을 (object particle).

다: all / completely / entirely.

니들처럼: like you guys

• 니들 (you, plural / you guys, casual) + -처럼 (particle meaning “like / as”).

맞춰야: have to match / adjust / conform (to)

• 맞추다 (to match, to adjust, to tailor) + -어야 (obligation or necessity ending meaning “must / should”).

만족할: (that) would be satisfied

• 만족하다 (to be satisfied / to satisfy) + -ㄹ (attributive future ending → “that will …” → describes “people who would be satisfied”).

사람들이지: they’re people who … / the kind of people who …, aren’t they?

사람들 (people, plural) + -이 (the copula “to be”) + -지 (sentence-ending particle adding an asserting or explanatory tone, often “you know / after all”).

제발 너나 잘 사셔 니 인생 말이여, Please take care of yourself and live your own life

제발: please

너나: you yourself / you at least

• 너 (you) + -나 (particle meaning “at least / for your part” → implies “you of all people” or “you, at least, should…” (often with a sarcastic or pointed tone). Used to tell someone to focus on themselves or take responsibility.)

잘: well / properly / nicely

사셔: live (honorific imperative or suggestion form)

• 살다 (to live) + -시- (honorific infix) + -어 (casual informal ending, softening the tone) → 사셔 means “(please) live well” or “go live your own life,” often used with a mix of sarcasm and politeness depending on context.

니: your (casual, from 너의).

인생: life.

말이여: (I’m) saying / I mean

• 말 (word, saying) + -이여 (dialectal or old-fashioned copula ending, roughly “is / I’m saying / you know.”) → 말이여 = “말이야” said in a dialectal or emphatic way, meaning “I’m saying,” “You know what I mean,” or “Exactly! / That’s what I’m saying!” depending on tone. (말이야 / 말이여 = “(It) is (my) words / I’m saying (that)...”)

니가 나면 말 안 하겠어 If I were you, I wouldn't say anything

니가: you (as the subject)

• 너 (you, casual form) + -가 (subject particle marking the subject of the verb).

나면: if (you) were me

• 나 (I / me, casual) + -면 (if / when)

말 안 하겠어: “I won’t say (anything)” or “I’m not going to tell (you)”

• 말 (speech / words / what one says) + 안 (negation particle, “not”) + 하겠어 (from 하다 (to do) + -겠어 (future or volitional ending, “will / would”) → “will do” → with 안, it becomes “won’t do.”)

그래 내 패딩 더럽게 비싸고 더럽게 안 예뻐 Yeah, my padded jacket is ridiculously expensive and ridiculously not pretty

그래: yeah / that’s right / I admit it (Used to show agreement, acknowledgment, or resignation (“yeah / that’s right / fine”).)

내: my

패딩: padded jacket / puffer (loanword from “padding”).

더럽게: terribly / awfully / ridiculously (slang intensifier, literally “dirtily”) — emphasizes a negative or exaggerated quality.

비싸고: expensive (and)

• 비싸다 (to be expensive) + -고 (connective ending meaning “and”).

안: not (negation adverb).

예뻐: pretty / good-looking (casual present)

• 예쁘다 (to be pretty) + -어 (casual informal ending → “is pretty / looks good”).

​(But I say)

너무 갖고 싶은데 어떡해 I really want it, what do I do?

너무: too / very / so much

갖고 싶은데: I want to have it, but… / I’d like to have it, though…

• 갖다 (to have, to possess) + -고 싶다 (want to) → 갖고 싶다 = “to want to have.” + –(으)ㄴ데 (connective ending that means “but,” “though,” or “you see.” It links two ideas, adds contrast, or sets background context.)

어떡해: what to do / how to do (it)

• Contraction of 어떻게 해 (“how do (I) do it?” or “what should I do?”), expressing worry, confusion, or helplessness depending on tone.

나보다 못 사는 친구들도 다 가졌는데 Even my friends who live worse than me all have it

나보다: than me / compared to me

• 나 (I, me) + -보다 (particle meaning “than / compared to”).

못 사는: (who) live poorer / can’t live as well

• 못 (cannot / poorly) + 살다 (to live) + -는 (attributive present ending → “the ones who live [poorly / less well]”).

친구들도: even friends / friends too

• 친구들 (friends) + -도 (particle meaning “too / also / even”).

다: all / everyone / everything.

가졌는데: have had / possessed (but / and yet)

• 가지다 (to have, to own) + -었- (past tense marker) + -는데 (connective ending adding contrast, background, or surprise → “but / though / and yet / even though”).

​(And I say)

은따 되기 싫음 살 수밖에 If I don't want to become an outcast, I have no choice but to buy it

은따: eun-tta (slang) = “class outcast / someone excluded”

• Shortened from 은근한 따돌림 (“subtle ostracism”). Refers to someone quietly left out or socially isolated by their peers.

되기: becoming / to become (noun form)

• 되다 (to become) + -기 (nominalizer that turns the verb into a noun → “becoming”).

싫음: if (I) dislike / if (I) don’t want

• 싫다 (to dislike, to hate) + -으면 (if / when) → casual contracted form 싫음 (“if I don’t want / if I hate”).

살 수밖에: I have no choice but to buy (it). / I can’t help but buy it.

• 사다 (to buy) + –(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (There’s no choice but to… / Can’t help but… / Have to…) (even if the 없다 is omitted in casual speech, it’s understood)

이 나이 때쯤이면 원래 다들 좀 그러잖니 At this age, everyone’s usually kind of like that, you know

이: this

나이: age

때쯤이면: around this time / at this age

• 때 (time, moment) + -쯤 (about, around) + -이면 (conditional form of “이다,” meaning “if it is / when it is”) → “when it’s about this time / around this age.”

원래: originally / by nature / normally / usually.

다들: everyone / all of them

• 다 (all) + -들 (plural marker).

좀: a bit / somewhat / kind of (softens tone).

그러잖니: (aren’t they) like that / you know they are

• 그러다 (to act like that, to be so) + -잖- (soft assertion meaning “you know / as you know”) + -니 (casual question ending meaning “right? / isn’t it?”) → “You know they’re like that, right?”

​Yeah I dunno, yes I’m loco, is it no-no?

I know they ain’t cheap but they got mojos

But 난 내 할 일은 잘해 부모님 등골 안 부셔 But I do my part well — I don’t break my parents’ back

난: I (as for me)

• 나 (I, me) + -는 (topic particle) → contracted to 난, meaning “as for me.”

내: my

할 일은: the things (I) have to do (as for…)

• 하다 (to do) + 일 (thing, task, work) → 할 일 (“things to do / what I have to do”) + -은 (topic particle → “as for the things I have to do”).

잘해: do well / do properly

• 잘 (well) + 하다 (to do) → 해 (casual present tense form, “do”) → “do well / do it properly.”

부모님: parents (honorific)

• 부모 (parents) + -님 (honorific suffix expressing respect).

등골 안 부셔: (Their) spine won’t break. / (I) don't break (their) back.

• 등골 (spine / backbone, often used figuratively in Korean to mean one’s financial or physical endurance — e.g. “등골이 휜다” = “my back breaks” = I’m overworked or financially drained) + 안 (not / don't, negation adverb, placed before verbs) + 부셔 (break / smash, non-standard colloquial contraction of 부수어, present tense informal from 부수다 — “to break,” “to smash,” “to destroy.”)

*Figurative: “I don’t burden my parents financially.”

진짜 브레이커는 나이 먹고 아직도 방구석인 너 The real breaker is you, growing older and still in your room

진짜: real / true / genuine

• Used both literally (“real”) and colloquially for emphasis (“really / seriously”).

브레이커는: breaker (as for the breaker)

• 브레이커 (breaker, loanword from English “breaker”) + -는 (topic particle → “as for the breaker”).

나이 먹고: growing old / aging (and)

• 나이 (age) + 먹다 (literally “to eat,” idiomatic meaning “to get older”) + -고 (connective ending meaning “and / while / after”).

아직도: still / even now / yet

방구석인: (who is) in the corner of a room / stuck at home

• 방 (room) + 구석 (corner) + -인 (attributive form of “이다,” meaning “being …”) → “the one who is in the corner of the room.”

너: you.

[V] : Wow 기분 좋아 걸쳐보는 너의 dirty clothes Wow, I feel good, trying on your dirty clothes

기분: feeling / mood

좋아: good / (I) feel good

• 좋다 (to be good) + -아 (casual present ending → used for statements like “it’s good” or “I feel good”)

걸쳐보는: trying on / putting on (to see)

• 걸치다 (to put on, to drape, to wear) + -어보다 (to try doing something) → 걸쳐보다 = “to try wearing / to try putting on" + -는 (present-tense attributive ending, used to describe a noun — like adding “-ing” or “who/that [verb-s]” in English)

너의: your

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”)

넌 뭔가 다른 You're somewhat different

넌: you (as for you)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic particle, marking “as for you”)

뭔가: something / somewhat / kind of

다른: different / another

• 다르다 (to be different) + -ㄴ (attributive ending forming “different (thing/person)”)

​Rockin, rollin, swaggin, swagger, wrong!

[Jungkook] : 도대체 왜 이래 미쳤어 baby What on earth is wrong with you? You’re crazy, baby

도대체: on earth / what the heck / how in the world

• Intensifier used in questions or exclamations to express frustration, disbelief, or emphasis (“what on earth / how in the world”).

왜: why

이래: like this / acting this way

• 이렇다 (to be like this) → 이래 (casual spoken form, meaning “be like this / act like this”) → 왜 이래 = “why are you like this?” / “what’s wrong with you?”

미쳤어: (you) are crazy / went crazy

• 미치다 (to go crazy, to lose one’s mind) + -었어 (past tense casual ending → “went crazy / have gone crazy") → 미쳤어 = “You’re crazy / You’ve lost it.”

[V] : 그게 너의 맘을 조여버릴 거야, dirty clothes That (thing) will tighten your heart, dirty clothes

그게: that (thing) / that is

• 그 (that) + 것 (thing) + 이 (subject particle) → contracted form 그것이 → 그게 (“that thing / that is”).

너의: your

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”).

맘을: heart / mind (object form)

• 맘 (colloquial contraction of 마음, meaning heart, mind, feelings) + -을 (object particle).

조여버릴: it will squeeze / will tighten completely

• 조이다 (to tighten, to squeeze, to press) + -어버리다 (auxiliary verb meaning “completely / entirely,” often implying finality or negativity) + ㄹ 거야 (future tense ending, casual)

*A puffer coat (패딩) is big, heavy, and full — and when zipped up, it literally presses around your body. This lyric works on two levels. Physically, it recalls the way a puffer jacket hugs and restricts the body; emotionally, it implies inner constriction — losing warmth, becoming cold, defensive, and hardened. “It’ll tighten your heart” can subtly suggest: “It’ll make your heart harden, close off, lose feeling.”

In “등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)”, the puffer jacket (패딩) symbolizes consumer greed, obsession with image and status, and valuing possessions over people. So when the lyric says “그게 너의 맘을 조여버릴 거야,” it’s as if that very jacket — the one meant to keep you warm — has turned against you. “That jacket, that greed, will squeeze your heart until there’s no warmth left.” “Your obsession will make you cold inside.”

Ultimately, the line conveys the emotional weight of materialism — your heart being squeezed by desire, vanity, and guilt.

[j-hope] : 너도 dirty clothes 나도 dirty clothes You wear dirty clothes too, I wear dirty clothes too

너도: you too / you also

• 너 (you) + -도 (particle meaning “also / too / even”).

나도: I too / me also

• 나 (I, me) + -도 (particle meaning “also / too / even”).

"Both you and I are wearing/covered in dirty clothes.” → leveling statement: “we’re no different.”

누구나 겪어봤겠지 Everybody's been through it

누구나: everyone / anybody

겪어봤겠지: must have experienced / probably went through

• 겪다 (to go through, to experience) + -어보다 (to try doing / to have experienced) → 겪어보다 (“to experience”) + -었- (past marker) + -겠- (assumption or conjecture, “must have / probably”) + -지 (sentence-ending particle adding a soft, confirming nuance → “right? / you know”).
  

입고 거리로 나가보면 어깨 힘 빡 들어가고 When you go out to the street wearing it, your shoulders tense up (with confidence)

입고: wearing (and)

• 입다 (to wear, to put on clothes) + -고 (connective ending meaning “and / while”).

거리로: to the street / onto the street

• 거리 (street, road) + -로 (particle meaning “to / toward / into / as”).

나가보면: if (you) go out and see / when (you) go out

• 나가보다 (to go out and see/try going out) + -면 (if / when)

어깨 힘 빡 들어가고: Literally: “the strength goes firmly into my shoulders.” → Natural meaning: “my shoulders tense up / I square my shoulders / I puff up with confidence.”

• 어깨 (shoulders) + 힘 (strength, tension, force) + 빡 (slang adverb: firmly, tightly, strongly, suddenly) + 들어가고 (from 들어가다 (to go in / tense up / get stiff) + -고 (connective ending meaning “and / while”))

• The expression “어깨에 힘이 들어가다” is idiomatic — it means to act confident, proud, or slightly cocky, like physically straightening your back and lifting your shoulders when feeling cool or showing off. Adding 빡 makes it stronger and slangier, implying a noticeable or exaggerated confidence (“my shoulders go bam! tense”).

나보다 작아 보이지 like 걸리버 And everyone looks smaller than me, like (I’m) Gulliver

나보다: than me / compared to me

• 나 (I, me) + -보다 (particle meaning “than / compared to”).

작아 보이지: looks small, doesn’t it? / looks small

• 작다 (to be small) + -아 보이다 (to look / seem …) + -지 (sentence-ending particle, often for emphasis or rhetorical tone)

걸리버: Gulliver

• Loanword from “Gulliver” — the character from Gulliver’s Travels. So: “like Gulliver” → implying others look small the way Gulliver saw tiny people. It’s a confident, slightly boastful line — he feels big, dominant, or powerful, comparing himself to Gulliver towering over the Lilliputians.

뭘 입어도 이해해, Whatever you wear, I understand

뭘: whatever / no matter what

• Contraction of 무엇을 (what + object marker -을) → “what / whatever (thing)”

입어도: even if (you) wear / no matter what (you) wear

• 입다 (to wear) + -어도 (connective ending meaning “even if / though / no matter …”).

이해해: (I) understand

• 이해하다 (to understand) + -해 (casual present tense ending → “I understand / I get it”).

근데 넌 너무 배가 부른 상태 But you’re in a state of being way too full

근데: but / however / by the way (Casual connective used to contrast or shift topics; can mean “but,” “however,” or “by the way,” depending on context.)

넌: you (as for you)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic particle) → contracted to 넌, meaning “as for you.”

너무: too / overly / very

배가 부른 상태: (in) a full state / being full / a state of fullness

• 배 (belly, stomach) + -가 (subject particle) + 부르다 (to be full, as in after eating) + -ㄴ (attributive ending → “that is full / full (state)”) + 상태 (state / condition / situation)

*Figurative: “You’re too satisfied / complacent.”

체해, 후회해 You’ll get indigestion and regret it

체해: get indigestion / feel sick from overeating

• 체하다 (to have indigestion, to suffer from stomach trouble) -해: casual present ending

후회해: regret / feel regret

• 후회하다 (to regret) + -해 (casual present ending)

넌 계속 swag해, 허나 부모 맘은 배제해? You keep swagging, but are you leaving out your parents’ feelings?

넌: you (as for you)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic particle meaning “as for you”) → contracted to 넌

계속: continuously / constantly / keep on.

swag해: act swag / keep swagging

• “swag” (English word used directly in Korean to mean style, confidence, or attitude) + 하다 (to do) → 해 (casual present tense form) → “do swag / act with swag.”

허나: but / however

• Formal or rhetorical equivalent of “하지만” or “그러나,” often used for contrast or emphasis in lyrics or speeches.

부모: parents.

맘은: heart / feelings (as for)

• 맘 (casual contraction of 마음, meaning heart, feelings, mind) + -은 (topic particle → “as for the heart / as for the feelings”).

배제해: exclude / leave out

• 배제하다 (to exclude, to leave out) + -해 (casual present tense form) → “Do you exclude? / Are you leaving out?”).

그래 말리진 않을게 Yeah, I won't stop you

그래: fine / okay / alright (Used to agree, concede, or show acceptance — depending on tone, it can sound calm, resigned, or dismissive.)

말리진 않을게: I won’t stop you / I won’t hold you back

• 말리다 (to stop, to dissuade, to hold someone back) + -지는 않다 (emphatic negative) + -을게 (I’ll / I won’t — promise)

이제 맘을 정해 Now make up your mind

이제: now / from now on / at this point.

맘을: heart / mind (object form)

• 맘 (casual contraction of 마음, meaning heart, mind, feelings) + -을 (object particle).

정해: decide / set / fix

• 정하다 (to decide, to set, to determine) + -해 (casual present or imperative ending → “decide / set it / make up (your mind)”).

[V] : Wow 기분 좋아 걸쳐보는 너의 dirty clothes Wow, I feel good, trying on your dirty clothes

기분: feeling / mood

좋아: good / (I) feel good

• 좋다 (to be good) + -아 (casual present ending → used for statements like “it’s good” or “I feel good”)

걸쳐보는: trying on / putting on (to see)

• 걸치다 (to put on, to drape, to wear) + -어보다 (to try doing something) → 걸쳐보다 = “to try wearing / to try putting on" + -는 (present-tense attributive ending, used to describe a noun — like adding “-ing” or “who/that [verb-s]” in English)

너의: your

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”)

넌 뭔가 다른 You're somewhat different

넌: you (as for you)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic particle, marking “as for you”)

뭔가: something / somewhat / kind of

다른: different / another

• 다르다 (to be different) + -ㄴ (attributive ending forming “different (thing/person)”)

​Rockin, rollin, swaggin, swagger, wrong!

[Jungkook] : 도대체 왜 이래 미쳤어 baby What on earth is wrong with you? You’re crazy, baby

도대체: on earth / what the heck / how in the world

• Intensifier used in questions or exclamations to express frustration, disbelief, or emphasis (“what on earth / how in the world”).

왜: why

이래: like this / acting this way

• 이렇다 (to be like this) → 이래 (casual spoken form, meaning “be like this / act like this”) → 왜 이래 = “why are you like this?” / “what’s wrong with you?”

미쳤어: (you) are crazy / went crazy

• 미치다 (to go crazy, to lose one’s mind) + -었어 (past tense casual ending → “went crazy / have gone crazy") → 미쳤어 = “You’re crazy / You’ve lost it.”

[V] : 그게 너의 맘을 조여버릴 거야, dirty clothes That (thing) will tighten your heart, dirty clothes

그게: that (thing) / that is

• 그 (that) + 것 (thing) + 이 (subject particle) → contracted form 그것이 → 그게 (“that thing / that is”).

너의: your

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”).

맘을: heart / mind (object form)

• 맘 (colloquial contraction of 마음, meaning heart, mind, feelings) + -을 (object particle).

조여버릴: it will squeeze / will tighten completely

• 조이다 (to tighten, to squeeze, to press) + -어버리다 (auxiliary verb meaning “completely / entirely,” often implying finality or negativity) + ㄹ 거야 (future tense ending, casual)

*A puffer coat (패딩) is big, heavy, and full — and when zipped up, it literally presses around your body. This lyric works on two levels. Physically, it recalls the way a puffer jacket hugs and restricts the body; emotionally, it implies inner constriction — losing warmth, becoming cold, defensive, and hardened. “It’ll tighten your heart” can subtly suggest: “It’ll make your heart harden, close off, lose feeling.”

In “등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)”, the puffer jacket (패딩) symbolizes consumer greed, obsession with image and status, and valuing possessions over people. So when the lyric says “그게 너의 맘을 조여버릴 거야,” it’s as if that very jacket — the one meant to keep you warm — has turned against you. “That jacket, that greed, will squeeze your heart until there’s no warmth left.” “Your obsession will make you cold inside.”

Ultimately, the line conveys the emotional weight of materialism — your heart being squeezed by desire, vanity, and guilt.

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

[Jungkook] : 니가 바로 등골브레이커 You are exactly the spine-breaker

니가: you (subject)

• 너 (you) + -가 (subject particle)

바로: exactly / just / precisely / right (at that moment or place).

등골브레이커: spine-breaker

• 등골 (spine, backbone) + 브레이커 (breaker, loanword from English “breaker”). Figurative slang meaning “someone who breaks their parents’ backs” — referring to kids who pressure their parents to buy expensive branded goods, causing financial strain.

  
  

*Figurative: “You’re the one who breaks your parents’ back with your demands."

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

[Jin] : 부모님의 등골브레이커 Your parents’ backbreaker

부모님의: parents’ / of the parents

• 부모 (parents) + -님 (honorific suffix meaning “respected”) + -의 (possessive particle meaning “of”) → 부모님의 = “of the parents” / “parents’.”

등골브레이커: spine-breaker

• 등골 (spine, backbone) + 브레이커 (breaker, loanword from English “breaker”). Slang meaning: a child who financially burdens their parents by constantly demanding expensive or luxury items, as if “breaking their parents’ backs.”

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

[Jimin] : 언젠가는 후회하게 될 걸 Someday you’ll regret it

언젠가는: someday / at some point (for sure)

• 언젠가 (“someday / sometime”) + -는 (topic particle adding emphasis: “as for someday / someday at least”).

후회하게 될 걸: (It’s) the thing that you will end up regretting / You’ll regret it

• 후회하다 (to regret) + -게 되다 (“to end up doing / come to do”) → 후회하게 되다 (“to end up regretting”) + -ㄹ 걸 (soft warning or foretelling tone, “probably / I bet …” / "you’ll see") (-ㄹ (attributive future ending) + 것을 (thing + object particle) → 될 걸

  “the thing that will (become / happen)”)

  *Grammar note: 것을 takes the object particle -을 (contracted to 걸) because it’s the object of an implied verb (like “see,” “know,” or “realize”) that’s dropped from the sentence for stylistic, emotional, or predictive effect. 언젠가는 후회하게 될 걸 =

  literally: “(It’s) the thing that you will come to regret someday,” but feels like “You’ll regret it someday — you’ll see.”

​[All] : (La la la la la la la la la)

빌어먹을 등골브레이커 Damn spine-breaker

빌어먹을: Damn / Freaking

• 빌어먹다 (literally “to beg and eat (off someone else).” Idiomatic, used as a curse or insult similar to “damn,” “freaking,” etc. It literally evokes the image of “someone so pitiful they have to beg for food,” but in modern use it’s just an intensifier expressing frustration or contempt.)

등골브레이커: Spine breaker

• 등골 (spine) + 브레이커 (breaker). Refers to a kid who burdens their parents financially—“breaking their parents’ backs” (from overwork or expenses). Often used for teens demanding expensive clothes or luxury items.

​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. :)

Follow me on YouTube,  TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest for BTS lyric videos and more!

BTS Lyric Translations (@btslyrictranslations)

Questions are always welcome! If anything is unclear, you’d like more explanation, or you notice something that may need correcting, feel free to leave a comment below. You’re also welcome to share your own interpretations or thoughts on the lyrics!

💬 Related post: BTS (방탄소년단) - '등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)' Lyrics (With English Translation)

BTS (방탄소년단) - '등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker)' Lyric Video

< Back to Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics (Skool Luv Affair)