DDU-DU DDU-DU — BLACKPINK: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync착한 얼굴에 그렇지 못한 태도cha·kan eol·gu·re geu·reo·chi mo·tan tae·doGood looks but attitude that doesn't matchListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
BLACKPINK's “DDU-DU DDU-DU” is a swaggering statement of self-belief, with a group of women who know their worth and answer to no one. They pair a delicate look with a sharp, fearless edge, flaunt their money and high standards, and warn doubters not to mistake a smile for softness. The mood is confident and playful, with a dare to anyone who thinks they are an easy target.
Key lines
4 lines from the song in Korean, with how they sound and what they mean. The full line-by-line breakdown lives in the app.
착한 얼굴에 그렇지 못한 태도Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): cha·kan eol·gu·re geu·reo·chi mo·tan tae·do
Meaning: Good looks but attitude that doesn't match
Words in this line- 착한cha·kangood
- 얼굴에eol·gu·reface (to)
- 그렇지geu·reo·chinot like that
- 못한mo·tanunable
- 태도tae·doattitude
Word for word: Good looks on the face, but behavior is not like that.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 착한 얼굴에 literally means a good/pretty face, but 그렇지 못한 태도 means behavior that is not good—the contrast shows they look innocent but act boldly.
가녀린 몸매 속 가려진 volume은 두 배로Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): ga·nyeo·rin mom·mae sok ga·ryeo·jin volume-eun du bae·ro
Meaning: Delicate frame hides double the volume
Words in this line- 가녀린ga·nyeo·rindelicate
- 몸매mom·maebody
- 속sokinside
- 가려진ga·ryeo·jinhidden
- volume은volume-eunvolume (topic)
- 두dutwo
- 배로bae·rotimes
Word for word: Delicate body hides double volume.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 가녀린 means slender/delicate, but 가려진 volume은 두 배로 means hidden volume is doubled—metaphor for hidden strength and confidence beneath a fragile appearance.
거침없이 직진 굳이 보진 않지 눈치Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): geo·chi·meop·ssi jik·jjin gu·ji bo·jin an·chi nun·chi
Meaning: Moving straight ahead, not paying attention to others
Words in this line- 거침없이geo·chi·meop·ssiwithout hesitation
- 직진jik·jjinstraight ahead
- 굳이gu·jideliberately
- 보진bo·jinlook (neg.)
- 않지an·chidon't (affirm.)
- 눈치nun·chihint
Word for word: Without hesitation straight ahead, deliberately not reading hints.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 거침없이 직진 means moving forward without hesitation, and 굳이 보진 않지 눈치 means deliberately not reading the room—they ignore social pressure and judgment.
흔한 남들처럼 착한 척은 못 하니까Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): heun·han nam·deul·cheo·reom cha·kan cheo·geun mot ha·ni·kka
Meaning: I can't pretend to be good like everyone else
Words in this line- 흔한heun·hancommon
- 남들처럼nam·deul·cheo·reomlike others
- 착한cha·kangood
- 척은cheo·geunpretense
- 못motcan't
- 하니까ha·ni·kkado
Word for word: Common people, like others, good pretense cannot do.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: '흔한 남들처럼' literally 'like common people', but contextually means social expectations. '착한 척은 못 하니까' literally 'can't pretend to be good', but it's an explanation of her true nature—she cannot and will not conform.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “DDU-DU DDU-DU” — BLACKPINK. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Ask MinaSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 가득한 | ga·deu·kan | full |
| 거린 | geo·rin | road |
| 거야 | geo·ya | (affirmation) |
| 걸어가는 | geo·reo·ga·neun | walking |
| 것도 | geot·tto | also |
| 뜨거워 | tteu·geo·wo | hot |
| 만만한 | man·man·han | easy |
| 모르겠지 | mo·reu·get·jji | don't know |
| 보듯이 | bo·deu·si | like seeing |
| 뻔해 | ppeon·hae | obvious |
| 생각해 | saeng·ga·kae | think |
| 쉽게 | swip·kke | easily |
| 아직은 | a·ji·geun | still |
| 웃어주는 | u·seo·ju·neun | smile |
| 원하면 | won·ha·myeon | if you want |
| 원했다면 | won·haet·tta·myeon | if wanted |
| 제멋대로 | je·meot·ttae·ro | as I please |
| 착각하지 | chak·kka·ka·ji | don't mistake |
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Questions about “DDU-DU DDU-DU”
What is “DDU-DU DDU-DU” by BLACKPINK about?
BLACKPINK's “DDU-DU DDU-DU” is a swaggering statement of self-belief, with a group of women who know their worth and answer to no one.
What does “착한 얼굴에 그렇지 못한 태도” mean in “DDU-DU DDU-DU”?
Good looks but attitude that doesn't match. 착한 얼굴에 literally means a good/pretty face, but 그렇지 못한 태도 means behavior that is not good—the contrast shows they look innocent but act boldly.
What does “가녀린 몸매 속 가려진 volume은 두 배로” mean in “DDU-DU DDU-DU”?
Delicate frame hides double the volume. 가녀린 means slender/delicate, but 가려진 volume은 두 배로 means hidden volume is doubled—metaphor for hidden strength and confidence beneath a fragile appearance.
How do you pronounce “거침없이 직진 굳이 보진 않지 눈치”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “geo·chi·meop·ssi jik·jjin gu·ji bo·jin an·chi nun·chi”: that's how it's actually sung by BLACKPINK, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “DDU-DU DDU-DU” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Mina goes through all 66 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official music video
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Credits and sources
- Artist
- BLACKPINK
- Official video
- BLACKPINK · YouTube
Lyrics and music belong to their rights holders. This page quotes no more than four lines for commentary; the translations, pronunciation and explanations are written by theIDOL.