While hanging out with a Korean friend, we ended up talking about “Gangnam Style.” (But of course!) It has become such a worldwide hit that famous celebrities have tweeted about it, performed it and the singer Psy has also appeared on a number of television and radio talk shows in the US and elsewhere. There are numerous parodies of the song, made by people from all over the world, on Youtube as well. Needless to say, it is a smash hit and has created waves around the world. As the Gangnam mania continues, we have been taught the famous dance moves by our Zumba instructor at a dance studio here in Nepal too. It’s everywhere!
It was only natural for me to ask my friend what the meaning of the song really is and she was kind enough to translate it for me. For all of you who are curious to know the meaning, here it is.
(Translation by Catherine Park)
Gangnam Style
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
강남스타일
Gangnam Style
낮에는 따사로운 인간적인 여자
(Najeneun ttasaroun inganjeogin yeoja)
At daytime, a woman who is cordial and humane
커피 한잔의 여유를 아는 품격 있는 여자
(Coffee hanjaney yeoyooreul aneun phoomgyeok itneun yeoja)
Also an elegant woman who knows to take a rest with a cup of coffee
밤이 오면 심장이 뜨거워지는 여자
(Bami omyeon simjangi teugeowojineun yeoja)
But a woman whose heart gets hot at night
그런 반전 있는 여자
(Kheureon banjin itneun yeoja)
A woman who has two totally different sides
나는 사나이
(Naneun sana-ee)
I am a man
낮에는 너만큼 따사로운 그런 사나이
(Najeneun neo-man-kheum tasaro-oon kheureon sana-ee)
Who is cordial like you at daytime.
커피 식기도 전에 원샷 때리는 사나이
(Coffee sigido jeon-ey wonsyas tterineun sana-ee)
A man who can drink a cup of hot coffee at once
(Bami omyeon simjangi theojyeobeorineun sana-ee)
밤이 오면 심장이 터져버리는 사나이
But I am a man whose heart bursts at night
그런 사나이
(Kheureon Sana-ee)
I am a man like that
아름다워 사랑스러워
(Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo)
Beautiful and lovely
그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey
(Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey)
Yes you hey yes exactly you hey
아름다워 사랑스러워
(Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo)
Beautiful and lovely
그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey
(Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey)
Yes you hey yes exactly you hey
지금부터 갈 데까지 가볼까
(Jigeum bootheo khal tekkaji khabolkka)
How about going to the end from now?
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
강남스타일
Gangnam Style
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
강남스타일
Gangnam Style
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
Eh-Sexy Lady
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
Eh-Sexy Lady
에에에에에에
Ay ay ay ay ay ay
정숙해 보이지만 놀 땐 노는 여자
(Jeongsookhey bo-i-jiman nol tten noneun yeoja)
A graceful lady
이때다 싶으면 묶었던 머리 푸는 여자
(Ittaeda sipheumyeon mookeot-teon meori phooneun yeoja)
But a woman who can loosen her tied hair when the time comes
가렸지만 웬만한 노출보다 야한 여자
(Kharyeotijiman wenmanhan-no choolboda yahan yeoja)
Although her body is covered, she is sexier than other women who wear hot clothes.
그런 감각적인 여자
(Kheureon khamgakjeokin yeoja)
A sensible woman like that
나는 사나이
(Naneun sana-ee)
I am a man
점잖아 보이지만 놀 땐 노는 사나이
(Jamjanha bo-i-jiman nol tten noneun sana-ee)
I look like a gentle man
때가 되면 완전 미쳐버리는 사나이
(Ttega toimyeon michyeobeorineun sana-ee)
But I am a man who becomes crazy when the time comes
근육보다 사상이 울퉁불퉁한 사나이
(Kheunyookboda sasangi ool-thoong-bool-thoong han sana-ee)
I am a man whose thought is rougher than muscle.
그런 사나이
(Kheureon sana-ee)
I am a man like that
아름다워 사랑스러워
(Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo)
Beautiful and lovely
그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey
(Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey)
Yes you hey yes exactly you hey
아름다워 사랑스러워
(Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo)
Beautiful and lovely
그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey
(Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey)
Yes you hey yes exactly you hey
지금부터 갈 데까지 가볼까
(Jigeum bootheo khal tekkaji khabolkka)
How about going to the end from now?
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
강남스타일
Gangnam Style
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
강남스타일
Gangnam Style
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
Eh-Sexy Lady
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
Eh-Sexy Lady
에에에에에에
Ay ay ay ay ay ay
뛰는 놈 그 위에 나는 놈
(Ttwineun nom kheuwi-ey naneun nom)
A man who can run but there’s another man who can fly over him
Baby baby
나는 뭘 좀 아는 놈
(Naneun mual jom aneun nom)
I am a person who knows something
You know what I’m saying
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
Eh-Sexy Lady
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
Eh-Sexy Lady
오빠 강남스타일
Oppa Gangnam Style
