I CAN'T STOP ME — TWICE: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync결국에는 선을 넘게 될 거라는 걸gyeol·gu·ge·neun seo·neul neom·kke doel kkeo·ra·neun geolEventually we'll cross the line.Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
TWICE's “I CAN'T STOP ME” is about a girl who knows she's heading somewhere wrong and still can't resist it. She feels watched by a glaring spotlight and drawn toward a red line, while a second self inside her wants what she shouldn't have. Excitement and guilt tangle together until she gives in, and the song ends in a dizzy, reckless rush.
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.
결국에는 선을 넘게 될 거라는 걸Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): gyeol·gu·ge·neun seo·neul neom·kke doel kkeo·ra·neun geol
Meaning: Eventually we'll cross the line.
Words in this line- 결국에는gyeol·gu·ge·neuneventually
- 선을seo·neulline
- 넘게neom·kkecross
- 될doelwill
- 거라는kkeo·ra·neunthat
- 걸geolit
Word for word: Eventually we'll cross the line, that it.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 선을 넘게 될 거라는 걸—선 (line) symbolizes a moral boundary they shouldn't cross. 거라는 걸 emphasizes certainty in inevitability.
매분 매초 내 맘이 내 맘을 추월해Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): mae·bun mae·cho nae ma·mi nae ma·meul chu·wo·rae
Meaning: Every minute, every second my heart overtakes my heart.
Words in this line- 매분mae·bunevery minute
- 매초mae·choevery second
- 내naemy
- 맘이ma·miheart
- 내naemy
- 맘을ma·meulheart
- 추월해chu·wo·raeovertakes
Word for word: Every minute, every second my heart overtakes my heart.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 내 맘이 내 맘을 추월해—paradoxical phrase describing internal conflict: desire vs. control, impulse vs. reason fighting each other. One part of her moves faster than the other can stop.
우후후 우후후 후후Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): u·hu·hu u·hu·hu hu·hu
Meaning: Vocal ad-lib expressing excitement and thrill.
Words in this line- 우후후u·hu·huvocal ad-lib
- 우후후u·hu·huvocal ad-lib
- 후후hu·huvocal ad-lib
Word for word: Vocal sound vocal sound vocal sound.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 우후후 is not words but pure emotion, a vocal exhale expressing excitement, agitation, loss of control. It's a sound that cannot be translated into words, only felt.
건너편의 너와 난 이미 눈을 맞춰Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): geon·neo·pyeo·nui neo·wa nan i·mi nu·neul mat·chwo
Meaning: You on the other side and I have already locked eyes.
Words in this line- 건너편의geon·neo·pyeo·nuiof the other side
- 너와neo·wayou and
- 난nanI
- 이미i·mialready
- 눈을nu·neuleyes
- 맞춰mat·chwomet
Word for word: of the other side you and I already eyes met
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The literal version is clumsy because 의 marks 건너편 ("the other side") as a possessive modifier, and 눈을 맞추다 is an idiom literally "match eyes" that the word-for-word render flattens into "eyes met." It means they've already locked eyes from across the room. Key words: 건너편 (other side), 눈을 맞추다 (to lock eyes).
Lyrics © their rights holders. “I CAN'T STOP ME” — TWICE. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Ask SoheeSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 가고 | ga·go | going |
| 감시하는 | gam·si·ha·neun | watching |
| 끝이 | kkeu·chi | the end |
| 놓여진 | no·yeo·jin | laid |
| 느끼고 | neu·kki·go | feel |
| 들어 | deu·reo | enters |
| 보이는데 | bo·i·neun·de | is visible |
| 비출수록 | bi·chul·ssu·rok | the brighter it shines |
| 빨려 | ppal·lyeo | is pulled |
| 속으로 | so·geu·ro | into |
| 싶어 | si·peo | want to |
| 알고 | al·go | know |
| 앞에 | a·pe | before |
| 어둠 | eo·dum | darkness |
| 없을 | eop·sseul | not have |
| 이제는 | i·je·neun | now |
| 있잖아 | it·jja·na | right |
| 짜릿한 | jja·ri·tan | thrilling |
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Questions about “I CAN'T STOP ME”
What is “I CAN'T STOP ME” by TWICE about?
TWICE's “I CAN'T STOP ME” is about a girl who knows she's heading somewhere wrong and still can't resist it.
What does “결국에는 선을 넘게 될 거라는 걸” mean in “I CAN'T STOP ME”?
Eventually we'll cross the line. 선을 넘게 될 거라는 걸—선 (line) symbolizes a moral boundary they shouldn't cross.
What does “매분 매초 내 맘이 내 맘을 추월해” mean in “I CAN'T STOP ME”?
Every minute, every second my heart overtakes my heart. 내 맘이 내 맘을 추월해—paradoxical phrase describing internal conflict: desire vs. control, impulse vs. reason fighting each other.
How do you pronounce “우후후 우후후 후후”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “u·hu·hu u·hu·hu hu·hu”: that's how it's actually sung by TWICE, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “I CAN'T STOP ME” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Sohee 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
- TWICE
- Official video
- JYP Entertainment · 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.