BTS @방탄소년단 Song Lyrics Translation Thread
To make my translations more accessible, I made this thread to pin and upload previous works and future ones piecemeal here. Those who want to use my work, you need not ask for my permission. Spread BTS’ beautiful lyrics far and wide.
1. “전하지 못한 진심 (juhn-hah-ji moht-hahn jin-sim) (The Truth Untold)” This one is a new translation, although I had interpreted snippets of lines from this song previously.
youtube.com/watch?v=_Haob3
3. Singularity @방탄소년단
I spent a fair amount of time on this tonight, but it was still done in haste and without vigorous proofreading. Still, I’m happy with my effort. I hope this will help you to truly understand and appreciate this song's beautiful lyrics (8 pages long).
3. Singularity @방탄소년단
Here are the rest with the full translation of the song and a link to the live performance by V.
youtube.com/watch?v=vHmDfg
4. Dionysus @방탄소년단
This experimental, creative work from BTS is the best song of 2019.
youtube.com/watch?v=UyUkCt
4. Dionysus @방탄소년단
Here is the rest of translation.
After the weekend rain left, the temperature has dipped sharply here in Seoul, nights below freezing. I’m not looking forward to shivering in the cold while waiting for the bus for the next four months. Keep warm, everyone!
5. 땡 (Ddaeng) @방탄소년단
In the light of a recent outrageous event, the time seems ripe to revisit SUGA's words in “Ddaeng,” BTS’ 'apt-for-the-occasion' song dedicated to their doubters/dissers/haters who belittle(d) and malign(ed) their music.
youtube.com/watch?v=UCoPr6
5. 땡 (Ddaeng) @방탄소년단
Here are the rest of the translation.
Let me leave you with a verse from an old English poet Robert Herrick:
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
To-morrow will be dying."
Carpe diem!
6.Ephiphany @방탄소년단
To celebrate Jin’s upcoming birthday, here is my translation of his refined sentimental gem “Epiphany.” I worked on it a little last night and finished it today after work. Be good to yourself, everyone!
youtube.com/watch?v=hsOhFd
Thank you all for your kind words! Also, according to Genius Korean lyrics page, Jin is credited as the main writer of this song. BTS songs are often collective efforts, so I notice that sites often differ on credits, but one thing is clear: All BTS songs have great lyrics. Sante
7. 134340 @방탄소년단
Hands-down, this was the most difficult BTS work to translate. Though I had done RM’s second verse before, this is the first time I have done the whole lyrics to the song. As usual, I've also included a link to their live performance.
youtube.com/watch?v=bbpPYf
7. 134340 @방탄소년단
Here is the rest of the lyrics. I don’t have a morning class tomorrow, but it’s getting quite late here, so I’m off to bed. Good night and be well, everyone!
8. Euphoria @방탄소년단
Lyrically, "Euphoria" is one of the most beautiful songs in the BTS discography, and Jungkook's gentle yet firm, tranquil yet sturdy, with a touch of innocence and wonder, voice is what makes this song a classic.
youtube.com/watch?v=urW18g
9. Serendipity @방탄소년단
With the coming of the winter solstice, the afternoons are indeed getting shorter. It's not even six here in Seoul, but the darkness has already settled in, a sad circumstance for someone like me who woke up very late today.
youtube.com/watch?v=ySITK_
10. So Far Away @방탄소년단
As lyricists, RM cloaks his emotions and true feelings in metaphors; J-Hope hides his hopes and fears in myriad linguistic devices. SUGA does them in the ambiguities of his phrases. I strove to catch them in my translation.
youtube.com/watch?v=_ji3O0
11. SUGA’s Interlude @방탄소년단
It’s early in the morning here in Korea, outside still dark and the streets empty. I’m soon off to the train station to spend the weekend in Busan. I worked on this translation in haste, but I’m content with my interpretations of SUGA’s lines.
Wow, so many kind words. I’m glad I was able to help you understand SUGA’s amazing lyrics a little better. Tonight, to unwind my head from school-related work, I did an analysis of SUGA’s lyrics, deciphering his brilliant metaphors. I’ll upload it on the lyrics thread now. Sante!
11. More on SUGA’s Interlude @방탄소년단
Last Saturday morning, I was pressed for time, forcing me to forgo an analysis of SUGA’s poetic metaphors that accentuate both simmering inner feelings of disquiet and outward optimism expressed in his beautiful verses. Let me share it now.
12. Life (Analysis) @방탄소년단
It feels appropriate to upload the translation of RM’s “Life” from his “rm” mixtape on the day with the shortest daylight and longest night. I’ve done a short analysis before, but this is my first time translating the lyrics of the whole song.
12. Life (Lyric translation) @방탄소년단
Here is the translation of the lyrics. A caveat: The words are brutally raw and dark, delving into a slow, profound meditation on life and death and messy, negative bits in between.
Colin
@ColinSH3
Educator, translator/editor of history books, wanderluster, and humanist. I use this space—the only SNS account I own—to upload my interpretations of BTS lyrics
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