Mic Drop — BTS: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync버럭해 잘 못 익은 것들 스테끼 여러 개beo·reo·kae jal mot i·geun geot·tteul seu·te·kki yeo·reo gaeI curse at half-baked things, several steaks.Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
BTS’s “Mic Drop” is a swaggering victory lap in which the group answers doubters by pointing to how far they have come. They joke about haters worn out and a bag too full of trophies to carry, glow gold and burn like a torch flame, and apologize to their mom with a grin for doing so well. The tone is cocky and playful, ending with a breezy goodbye to critics.
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.
버럭해 잘 못 익은 것들 스테끼 여러 개Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): beo·reo·kae jal mot i·geun geot·tteul seu·te·kki yeo·reo gae
Meaning: I curse at half-baked things, several steaks.
Words in this line- 버럭해beo·reo·kaeI curse
- 잘jalwell
- 못motnot
- 익은i·geuncooked
- 것들geot·tteulthings
- 스테끼seu·te·kkisteak
- 여러yeo·reoseveral
- 개gaepieces
Word for word: I curse badly not cooked things steak several pieces.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 'Curse' expresses dissatisfaction. 'Steaks' symbolize quality and luxury; the speaker criticizes low quality even in expensive things. It's not literally about food but about standards.
이미 황금빛 황금빛 나의 성공Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): i·mi hwang·geum·bit hwang·geum·bit na·ui seong·gong
Meaning: Already glowing gold, gold of my success
Words in this line- 이미i·mialready
- 황금빛hwang·geum·bitgolden glow
- 황금빛hwang·geum·bitgolden glow
- 나의na·uimy
- 성공seong·gongsuccess
Word for word: Already golden glow, golden glow of my success.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 황금빛 (golden glow) is repeated for effect. It's a metaphor for wealth and success. The artist emphasizes that his success is already evident and shines like gold. It's the final assertion of his superiority.
니 현실을 봐라 쌔 쌤통Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): ni hyeon·si·reul bwa·ra ssae ssaem·tong
Meaning: Look at your reality — serves you right.
Words in this line- 니niyour
- 현실을hyeon·si·reulreality
- 봐라bwa·ralook
- 쌔ssae(stutter: ssae-)
- 쌤통ssaem·tongserves you right
Word for word: Your reality look-at, ser- serves-you-right.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 쌔 쌤통 is onomatopoeia expressing satisfaction with just deserts. It's not just a word but an emotional sound emphasizing someone got exactly what they deserved.
잘 봐 넌 그 꼴 나지Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): jal bwa neon geu kkol na·ji
Meaning: Look good, you won't end up like that.
Words in this line- 잘jalwell
- 봐bwalook
- 넌neonyou
- 그geuthat
- 꼴kkolstate
- 나지na·jidon't become
Word for word: Well look, you that appearance don't-become.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: «그 꼴 나지» literally 'don't take on that appearance', but it's a warning. The speaker uses their own sad example as a lesson so the other person doesn't repeat their mistakes.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Mic Drop” — BTS. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 가득해 | ga·deu·kae | is full |
| 글자 | geul·ja | character |
| 너네 | neo·ne | you all |
| 너는 | neo·neun | you |
| 도망 | do·mang | run away |
| 들은 | deu·reun | Haters |
| 마지막 | ma·ji·mak | last |
| 많아 | ma·na | many |
| 말도 | mal·do | words |
| 모잘라 | mo·jal·la | not enough |
| 미안해 | mi·an·hae | I'm sorry |
| 바빠 | ba·ppa | busy |
| 백이 | bae·gi | bag |
| 벌써 | beol·sseo | already |
| 사과도 | sa·gwa·do | apology |
| 성화봉송 | seong·hwa·bong·song | Olympic torch relay |
| 조심 | jo·sim | careful |
| 황급히 | hwang·geu·pi | in a panic |
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Questions about “Mic Drop”
What is “Mic Drop” by BTS about?
BTS’s “Mic Drop” is a swaggering victory lap in which the group answers doubters by pointing to how far they have come.
What does “버럭해 잘 못 익은 것들 스테끼 여러 개” mean in “Mic Drop”?
I curse at half-baked things, several steaks. 'Curse' expresses dissatisfaction.
What does “이미 황금빛 황금빛 나의 성공” mean in “Mic Drop”?
Already glowing gold, gold of my success. 황금빛 (golden glow) is repeated for effect.
How do you pronounce “니 현실을 봐라 쌔 쌤통”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “ni hyeon·si·reul bwa·ra ssae ssaem·tong”: that's how it's actually sung by BTS, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Mic Drop” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Sunwoo goes through all 84 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official music video
The video loads from YouTube only when you press play. YouTube ↗
Credits and sources
- Artist
- BTS
- Official video
- HYBE LABELS · 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.