Suga, a member of BTS, released his second single in 2023 under the alias Agust D. It is titled Haegeum. The song went viral right after, as is customary for the BTS band’s music, and people all over the world were curious about the significance of Haegeum and the English lyrics. Let’s learn everything we can from this article.
You can watch the official video for Haegeum below.
Haegeum: the English lyrics & the meaning
Haegeum is a song about unlocking our new potentialities, freeing something previously forbidden.After the single was released, many were quite curious about the term “Haegeum,” which has two meanings. On the one hand, it’s a traditional Korean string instrument with a really odd sound (you can hear it played live in this video), yet this is not the true meaning that Agust D/Suga originally meant.
In this video interview with South Korean singer IU, the artist began by explaining the meaning of the song title at minute 32:40, according to Genius. “Haegeum” is a Korean word that signifies “allowing/unlocking something that was forbidden.” He described it as such in the interview:
When I was young, the word “Haegeum” occurred to me. I enjoyed playing rhythm-based action games. You could play a new rhythm after completing a stage and unlocking a song that was otherwise restricted. It represented “freedom from the forbidden.” Why don’t I make an effort to get away from those things?
The English translation of the lyrics in Haegeum expressly affirms this:
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
It’s no secret that the BTS members’ separate ventures since 2022 serve as a means of “breaking free” from the restrictions their careers have faced up to this point. In March 2023, Jimin, another member of BTS, released Set Me Free Pt. 2, which expressed the similar idea. In fact, the song’s title alludes to a single that Suga included on his 2020 mixtape D-2.
A twofold meaning that reveals a lot about the 2023 phenomenon that is Suga/Agust D. Fans will be able to learn more about the other tracks on his solo album D-Day, which is scheduled to be released on April 21, 2023.
Haegeum – The complete English lyrics
Below you can find the complete lyrics of Haegeum translated into English.
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum, yeah
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
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
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
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
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
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song’s a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum