Pretty Savage — BLACKPINK: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync비슷한 것 같지 우린 뼛속까지 다름bi·seu·tan geot gat·jji u·rin ppyeot·ssok·kka·ji da·reumWe look similar, but we're completely different inside.Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
BLACKPINK's “Pretty Savage” is a swaggering song about a group who are glamorous and fierce at once, shrugging off envy and doubters. They set themselves apart from lookalikes, cut off men who waste their time, and insist people get their name right. Diamonds, a rolled-out carpet and a habit of flying higher in strong wind carry the image of confidence that can't be managed, ending in a teasing dare for anyone to test them.
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.
비슷한 것 같지 우린 뼛속까지 다름Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): bi·seu·tan geot gat·jji u·rin ppyeot·ssok·kka·ji da·reum
Meaning: We look similar, but we're completely different inside.
Words in this line- 비슷한bi·seu·tansimilar
- 것geotthing
- 같지gat·jjiseems
- 우린u·rinwe
- 뼛속까지ppyeot·ssok·kka·jito the bone
- 다름da·reumdifferent
Word for word: similar thing seems we to the bone different
Why it doesn't translate word for word: Korean puts "we" first, then builds to 뼛속까지 다름 at the end: 뼛속까지 is an idiom meaning "down to the bone," i.e. completely, and 다름 is just the noun form of "different." The line means they may look alike but are fundamentally opposite deep down. Key words: 뼛속까지 - down to the bone, 다름 - different.
인기를 논하자면 안 해 입만 아픔Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): in·gi·reul non·ha·ja·myeon an hae im·man a·peum
Meaning: About popularity, I don't discuss it, just hurts my mouth.
Words in this line- 인기를in·gi·reulpopularity
- 논하자면non·ha·ja·myeonif discuss
- 안andon't
- 해haedo
- 입만im·manjust mouth
- 아픔a·peumhurts
Word for word: popularity if discuss don't do just mouth hurts
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The literal strands 논하자면 ("if I were to discuss it") as a bare "if discuss," and drops the particle 만 ("only") from 입만 아픔, an idiom for wasted effort. It means she won't bother talking about her popularity - not worth the breath. Key words: 논하다 (to discuss), 입만 아픔 (lit. "only my mouth hurts," pointless talk).
짠 하고 나타나면 카펫부터 깔음Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): jjan ha·go na·ta·na·myeon ka·pet·ppu·teo kka·reum
Meaning: When I appear, I immediately lay down the carpet
Words in this line- 짠jjanboom
- 하고ha·goand
- 나타나면na·ta·na·myeonappear
- 카펫부터ka·pet·ppu·teocarpet from
- 깔음kka·reumlay down
Word for word: boom and appear carpet from lay down
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The literal reads oddly because 짠 is a sound-word for a sudden, showy appearance with no single English equivalent, and the verb 깔음 ("lay down," from 깔다) comes last, after its object. Meaning: the moment she shows up, people roll out the red carpet for her. 짠 and 깔음 are the key words.
Savage 봐도 봐도 예쁘장한Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): Savage bwa·do bwa·do ye·ppeu·jang·han
Meaning: Savage — pretty however many times you look
Words in this line- 봐도bwa·doI look
- 봐도bwa·doI look
- 예쁘장한ye·ppeu·jang·hanpretty
Word for word: Savage (look and look pretty).
Why it doesn't translate word for word: Chorus repeat. Savage + 봐도 봐도 예쁘장한 create an image of irresistible beauty that only intensifies with each look.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Pretty Savage” — BLACKPINK. Quoted for commentary and learning.
Mini-lesson: fill in the missing word
A line from the song with one word missing: listen, then pick the right word. Mina checks your answer and saves the new words to your notebook.
Try the lessonAsk Mina about this song
Why this word and not another? What does that slang mean? Ask in your own words and your idol answers about this exact line.
Ask MinaSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 걸쳤지만 | geol·chyeot·jji·man | wore but |
| 검은색 | geo·meun·saek | black |
| 계산은 | gye·sa·neun | calculation |
| 굳이 | gu·ji | deliberately |
| 깔면 | kkal·myeon | if you lay |
| 날아 | na·ra | fly |
| 높이 | no·pi | high |
| 눈치는 | nun·chi·neun | sense |
| 느려도 | neu·ryeo·do | slowly |
| 마냥 | ma·nyang | at all |
| 마름 | ma·reum | stay skinny |
| 맘대로 | mam·dae·ro | as I please |
| 맞음 | ma·jeum | correct |
| 멍석 | meong·seok | mat |
| 분홍빛이 | bun·hong·bi·chi | pink light |
| 어려운 | eo·ryeo·un | difficult |
| 해내지 | hae·nae·ji | pull off |
| 했다 | haet·tta | was |
Keep these 18 words
Make a free account and the words from “Pretty Savage” go to your study notebook with spaced review, so they come back right before you forget them.
Create a free accountWith Google, Apple or email · 10 seconds
Questions about “Pretty Savage”
What is “Pretty Savage” by BLACKPINK about?
BLACKPINK's “Pretty Savage” is a swaggering song about a group who are glamorous and fierce at once, shrugging off envy and doubters.
What does “비슷한 것 같지 우린 뼛속까지 다름” mean in “Pretty Savage”?
We look similar, but we're completely different inside. Korean puts "we" first, then builds to 뼛속까지 다름 at the end: 뼛속까지 is an idiom meaning "down to the bone," i.e.
What does “인기를 논하자면 안 해 입만 아픔” mean in “Pretty Savage”?
About popularity, I don't discuss it, just hurts my mouth. The literal strands 논하자면 ("if I were to discuss it") as a bare "if discuss," and drops the particle 만 ("only") from 입만 아픔, an idiom for wasted effort.
How do you pronounce “짠 하고 나타나면 카펫부터 깔음”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “jjan ha·go na·ta·na·myeon ka·pet·ppu·teo kka·reum”: that's how it's actually sung by BLACKPINK, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Pretty Savage” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Mina goes through all 62 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official audio (album track)
The video loads from YouTube only when you press play. YouTube ↗
Credits and sources
- Artist
- BLACKPINK
- Official audio
- 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.