Suga has been open about turning down acting roles in the past, and his new music video for the main single off his album “D-Day” (which dropped April 21) proves why there was interest in getting him on screen. The single “Haegeum”‘s cinematic video sees Suga face off against himself as dueling gangsters: one who’s all business and another who’s more street savvy.
While the video highlights how Suga could tackle a villain role, the song accompanying the high-octane clip has its own impactful message (and it’ll no doubt be one of the highlights of his upcoming solo world tour).
Ahead, watch Suga’s “Haegeum” music video and learn what the lightning-fast Korean lyrics of the song translate to in English (via a YouTube translation) and their deeper meaning.
Suga’s “Haegeum” Music Video
Suga’s “Haegeum” Lyrics in English
CHORUS (x3)
This song’s a haegeum
Get on board now
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
VERSE 1
Interpretation is free for all
Out with the nonsense
Freedom of expression
Could be reason for somebody’s death
Could you still consider that freedom?
If your convictions are reflected in your judgment and speculations
And you believe that your freedom is on the same level as others’
Then don’t hesitate, just get on board
Liberation from all that’s forbidden
For all those living in these unfortunate times
who don’t even understand their own tastes
PRE-CHORUS
This song’s simply about freeing what’s forbidden
But you must remember to differentiate freedom from self-indulgence
This song’s a haegeum
Get on board now
This lively rhythm
A new kind of haegeum
CHORUS (x2)
This song’s a haegeum
Get on board now
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
VERSE 2
Endless influx of information prohibits freedom of imagination, and seeks conformity of thought
All these painful noises blind you, and
Now it even infringes on freedom of thought
All the controversy incessantly
triggers confusion in judgment uh
Really, what is it exactly that’s been restricting us?
Maybe we do it to ourselves
Slaves to capitalism, slaves to money
Slaves to hatred and prejudice
Slaves to YouTube, slaves to flexin’
Selfishness and greed have gone off the rails
I close my eyes and it’s easy, it’s all so obvious
Opinions clearly split depending on what’s to gain
Everyone’s been blinded by envy and jealousy
Without realizing that they’re putting shackles on each other
PRE-CHORUS
Don’t get swept away by this tsunami of info
‘Cause we all differentiate freedom from self-indulgence
This song’s a haegeum
Get on board now
This lively rhythm
A new kind of haegeum
CHORUS (x4)
This song’s a haegeum
Get on board now
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
What Do Suga’s “Haegeum” Lyrics Mean?
While the haegeum is a traditional Korean string instrument, it also means “lifting a ban and allowing something that was forbidden,” according to Suga’s recent interview with fellow Korean artist IU, posted on April 10. Suga explained the origin of the song’s double meaning, sharing, “The word ‘Haegeum’ came to me when I was young. I played rhythm games, I loved rhythm action games. When beating a certain stage, you’d unlock a forbidden song, then you could play a new rhythm. It was a ‘freedom from the forbidden.’ Why don’t I try and break free from those things?”
Suga raps about setting one’s self free at multiple points in the song. “Liberation from all that’s forbidden / For all those living in these unfortunate times / Who don’t even understand their own tastes,” he says at one point. “This song’s simply about freeing what’s forbidden / But you must remember to differentiate freedom from self-indulgence.”
Suga’s album “D-Day” is out now and available on all major streamers.
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