REBEL HEART — IVE: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync엔딩은 마치 승리한 것처럼en·ding·eun ma·chi seung·ni·han geot·cheo·reomAnd we finish like we've already wonListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
IVE's “REBEL HEART” is a declaration of living unapologetically as yourself, whatever others think. The group refuses to be shrunk by misunderstanding or criticism, treats the long road ahead and its drama as part of the ride, and sends lonely feelings up into the sky. It closes by inviting others to join, turning private defiance into a shared, unbreakable bond.
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.
엔딩은 마치 승리한 것처럼Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): en·ding·eun ma·chi seung·ni·han geot·cheo·reom
Meaning: And we finish like we've already won
Words in this line- 엔딩은en·ding·eunending
- 마치ma·chijust like
- 승리한seung·ni·hanvictorious
- 것처럼geot·cheo·reomas if
Word for word: The ending — just as if having won.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 엔딩 drops the verb since the topic marker lets it stand alone, and 마치...것처럼 ("as if") is a fixed phrase split awkwardly in the literal version. It means they finish as though they'd already won. Key words: 마치...것처럼 ("as if"), 승리 (victory).
너는 어디가 조금 부족해 너는 거기가 뭔가 좀 넘쳐Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): neo·neun eo·di·ga jo·geum bu·jo·kae neo·neun geo·gi·ga mwon·ga jom neom·chyeo
Meaning: You're a little short in one place, a little too much in another
Words in this line- 너는neo·neunyou
- 어디가eo·di·gasomewhere
- 조금jo·geuma little
- 부족해bu·jo·kaeis lacking
- 너는neo·neunyou
- 거기가geo·gi·gathere
- 뭔가mwon·gasomething
- 좀joma bit
- 넘쳐neom·chyeooverflows
Word for word: You somewhere a-little lacking, you there something a-little overflows.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 부족하다 ('lacking') and 넘치다 ('overflowing') are opposites. The line isn't a criticism — it paints imperfection as natural: a little short here, a little much there, and that's fine.
I don't care 뭐든 말은 참 쉽지 그래 실행이 어려운 거야Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): I don't care mwo·deun ma·reun cham swip·jji geu·rae si·raeng·i eo·ryeo·un geo·ya
Meaning: I don't care what they say — talk is easy, yeah, it's the doing that's hard.
Words in this line- 뭐든mwo·deunwhatever
- 말은ma·reunas for words
- 참chamreally
- 쉽지swip·jjiis easy
- 그래geu·raeyeah
- 실행이si·raeng·idoing/execution
- 어려운eo·ryeo·undifficult
- 거야geo·yait is
Word for word: I don't care whatever words really easy, yeah, execution difficult thing-is
Why it doesn't translate word for word: '뭐든 말은 참 쉽지' literally 'whatever, words are just easy' is the idiom 'talk is cheap.' '실행이 어려운 거야' contrasts 말 (talking) with 실행 (doing); the ending '-거야' is a casual 'it is,' giving a conversational tone.
우린 따로 이유를 묻지 않고 서로가 필요할 때가 있어Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): u·rin tta·ro i·yu·reul mut·jji an·ko seo·ro·ga pi·ryo·hal ttae·ga i·sseo
Meaning: We don't ask each other for reasons — there are just times we need one another.
Words in this line- 우린u·rinwe
- 따로tta·roseparately
- 이유를i·yu·reulreason
- 묻지mut·jji(don't) ask
- 않고an·koand not
- 서로가seo·ro·gaeach other
- 필요할pi·ryo·halneeded
- 때가ttae·gathe time
- 있어i·sseothere is
Word for word: We-TOPIC separately reason-OBJ ask-not-and, each-other-SUBJ needed time-SUBJ exists
Why it doesn't translate word for word: '이유를 묻지 않고' literally 'not asking the reason, and...' links two clauses without cause-effect. '필요할 때가 있어' literally 'needed time exists' naturally reads 'there are times we need each other.'
Lyrics © their rights holders. “REBEL HEART” — IVE. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 거니까 | geo·ni·kka | because |
| 건지 | geon·ji | whether it is |
| 겁내지 | geom·nae·ji | not fearing |
| 그런 | geu·reon | that kind of |
| 길어지는 | gi·reo·ji·neun | lengthening |
| 길은 | gi·reun | the road |
| 꺾이지 | kkeo·kki·ji | won't bend |
| 드라마가 | deu·ra·ma·ga | drama |
| 마음만으로 | ma·eum·ma·neu·ro | with just this heart |
| 마음을 | ma·eu·meul | heart |
| 맘을 | ma·meul | heart |
| 맘이 | ma·mi | heart/feeling |
| 맡겨둘래 | mat·kkyeo·dul·lae | will leave it |
| 멀고 | meol·go | is far, and |
| 모양대로 | mo·yang·dae·ro | my own way |
| 바라는 | ba·ra·neun | longing for |
| 받을땐 | ba·deul·ttaen | when I get |
| 이상 | i·sang | anymore |
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Questions about “REBEL HEART”
What is “REBEL HEART” by IVE about?
IVE's “REBEL HEART” is a declaration of living unapologetically as yourself, whatever others think.
What does “엔딩은 마치 승리한 것처럼” mean in “REBEL HEART”?
And we finish like we've already won. 엔딩 drops the verb since the topic marker lets it stand alone, and 마치...것처럼 ("as if") is a fixed phrase split awkwardly in the literal version.
What does “너는 어디가 조금 부족해 너는 거기가 뭔가 좀 넘쳐” mean in “REBEL HEART”?
You're a little short in one place, a little too much in another. 부족하다 ('lacking') and 넘치다 ('overflowing') are opposites.
How do you pronounce “I don't care 뭐든 말은 참 쉽지 그래 실행이 어려운 거야”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “I don't care mwo·deun ma·reun cham swip·jji geu·rae si·raeng·i eo·ryeo·un geo·ya”: that's how it's actually sung by IVE, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “REBEL HEART” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Sohee goes through all 47 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
- IVE
- Official video
- STARSHIP · 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.