Music / Idols
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Increasing English Lyrics – Is it Good for K-pop?

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Written by On August 16, 2011

It’s often said music is universal. Regardless of any confusion, the popularity of inserting random English/Engrish titles and phrases into songs still stands in K-pop.  However, is injecting more English into songs part of longstanding pattern  or a sign of catering to a wider audience as part of K-Pop crossover strategy?

K-pop stars typically translate a song into English if they are trying to enter the Western music industry- Rain (‘Love Song’, ‘Rainism’, ‘Sad Tango’), Wonder Girls (‘Nobody,’ ‘Two Different Tears’, ‘Tell Me’, ‘So Hot’)  JYJ (English album ‘The Beginning’), BoA (self-titled English album), and debateably, 2NE1. There is the English Verison of ‘Can’t Nobody,’ but there is also a Japanese version. While they are publicly entering that market, there is no solid answer from YG Entertainment concerning the group “crossing over.”

However, currently 2NE1, linguistically, is doing something different from their contemporaries. The group’s latest song, ‘Ugly’ is currently only being promoted in Korea, yet the entire chorus of the song is in English.

I think I’m ugly
And nobody wants to love me
Just like her I wanna be pretty
I wanna be pretty
Don’t lie to my face tellin’
me I’m pretty

I think I’m ugly
And nobody wants to love me
Just like her I wanna be pretty
I wanna be pretty
Don’t lie to my face cuz I know
I’m ugly

With the exception of a couple of verses, the rest of the song is in Korean.  It is often not difficult to surmise the meaning of an untranslated Kpop song, however, as a foreign fan, the feeling of being able to sing confidently the entire chorus of a song is an unique emotional experience.

I can respect that as it is Korean music it would be logical to expect the native language to dominate the music industry. But, it also begs another perspective on the nature of translation: Chinese and Japanese fans often get songs converted into their languages which must make the music listening experience more enjoyable on some level. Thus, I can come to the conclusion that extensive English translation is extending the olive branch to English-speaking fans to round up their support. While ‘Ugly’ isn’t my favorite Kpop song I find myself singing it because – well, I can.

Do you like the use of an all-English chorus in ‘Ugly?’ Is it an artistic decision on YGE’s part or a bid for more Western fans? If utilized more, do you think this device will bring in more English fans, for 2ne1 or anyone else?

 

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  • eboy07

     Kpop is already going downhill. Mixing whit english lyrics is not gonna help much.

  • benny

    whose that guy on the right, I first thought it was P diddy. But I don’t think its bad if they want to do like english albums for their songs, cause western musicians do it too. although i have never listened to any of it. But I think the best thing would be to stick to korean on their Korean albums and if they wanna do an english album then fine, mixing it up makes them look silly especially if the pronounciation is poor.

    • Mer

      It kinda looks like Jermaine Dupree

    • Nevels_ready

      its Teddy Riley

  • http://blackmagic32.livejournal.com/ Cas

    I agree that adding English lyrics is a way to attract foreign fans. My issue isn’t with the mixing of the Korean and English Lyrics because it makes it easier for me as an English speaker to sing along. What I have an issue with is the artist pronunciation of the lyrics and the English words that are used. Its like the song writers don’t really take the time to really put together put it together they just throw random nonsensical English words into songs and hope it makes sense. For example, don’t get me wrong I love Beast but to this day I still don’t know what everyday I shock, every night i shock means. I feel like they can throw all the English words in their songs as long as it has relevance to the song.

    • lay

      yes … i agree with you. it’s not a bad thing to use english in the songs. this has been done not only by the Koreans but singers from some other countries too. i just find it annoying when meaningless english words are thrown into the songs and i just hate it when they use their own self-created ‘english’ words. as for pronunciation, i don’t mind the slang or the way the artists pronounce the words as it is understandable that it would not be perfect unless they totally butcher the words. i remember listening to Park Jung Min’s new song and wondering what the hell was he saying (i think the word is ‘alone’) and it really puts me off the song. and yes, i couldn’t stand that Beast’s song too.

      • katherine

        I agree with you two as well. Mixing English or the use of English in K-pop songs is fine but please to the lyricists of these songs do some background work/checks when you add in English words. I’m sure they would be cringing if a Non-Korean singer decided to use Korean in a song they were singing and it didn’t make sense whatsoever. At least put in that extra mile to get your phrasing right. 
        As for pronunciation I can give or take but like I said before put in the extra mile to at least get it down right because Konglish although it is funny at times, can also be embarrassing to hear.   

      • Veronachristianlloyd

        Then try listening to ukiss’ cover songs of Run it and As long as you love me. you’ll see how good they are in speaking in english.

  • Kulokoyz_14cute

    well, it’s about time. South Koreans need to start learning English anyways.

  • Anonymous

    I have absolutely no problem with “Engrish” pronunciation. I think it’s cute and funny. And they are still Korea, so of course they will have an accent. It’s just like how Sophie Ellis Bextor always sings her songs in a strong british accent. 

    • Kira

      Except it’s not, because she is singing English, in a British accent, therefore correctly pronuncing the words. While I agree that their “Engrish” can be sweet and interesting, sometimes it’s clear they can’t actually say the words, or have poor grasp of sentance structure. This can make them seem childish and unsure, no matter how good the song is. Need I remind anyone of B2st’s “Beautiful”? That song’s English was so dreadful it harmed the listening experiance and the band’s reputation. These artists deserve better.

      P.S I also agree with the idea they have to be fluent (at least in the song of choice) to sing entirely in English. If I got up as a native Briton and tried singing a Korean song, there is a good chance people would think I am mocking the culture deliberately

  • sophie0364

    It’s a rare occurrence when you DON”T hear some English in K-pop songs.  Occasional words or short phrases are okay to use.  It’s bad when the English is used more extensively in a song and the pronounciation is so off that you can’t tell what it being said.  I hate hearing Korean songs translated into English – the phrasing, meaning and rhythm just don’t translate correctly and it makes for an awkward listening experience.
    I was listening to CN Blue doing a cover of Jason Mraz’s – Geek in Pink.  They attempted to tackle a song that is hard for any English speaker to sing – I admire them for attemping it.  I was embarrassed hearing them. 
    So, little English? – okay.  Lots of English?  A big NO.

    • Veronachristianlloyd

      then try listening to u-kiss’ Run it and As long as you love me cover. You’ll see how great the group is.

  • JW

    only when 2NE1 or YG artists sings it that I am able to listen.

  • kpopboi

    Its called the westernization of Kpop. simple.
    its cant be helped now.. especially with the Hallyu movement sweeping through parts of Asia.

  • Bday

    It’s just the same as western countries, they use English to make money around the world. So, why can’t Asians use it to make money as well?  Cuz of its status as an ‘international’ language, it no longer belongs to native speakers.
     
    For international listeners, it’s good cuz we understand the song better. But, if I were a korean listenner, I might not fully understand the need to use a lot of English cuz Kpop can be sold internationally even if there’s no English in the song. I thk it’s somewhat confusing in what Kpop’s been doing recently. U know, Korea intends to spread their culture through Kpop, right? But their music is obviously westernized in terms of both music and language. So, what’s their true identity of their culture??? *confused much*
     
    I smwhat agree to the comment that K-music quality is going downhill. They put less attempts to produce music after they’ve gained fanbase.

    • Bday

      ahh…. /reread my own comments again and get something interesting between the lines. Is that because Korea prioritizes making money over spreading their culture? lol

  • http://twitter.com/aymez aymez

    depends…if the singers know what they are singin then its kay…but the number rule (i think) is to stop trying to understand what they are singing in english…it kinda kills the entire song when u realize a word is mispronounced…

  • http://twitter.com/albertriho Albert Jonathan

    making english?for what?profit?thats foolish!k-pop should stick with their language!

  • http://neonspiderfoot.blogspot.com J.P.O.

    I would prefer not understanding the words if they are anything like the chorus of “Ugly”. I think it’s harmful for people to be repeating such a negative message over & over. I don’t want to sing along & say “I think I’m ugly.” I would rather flub & mess up some Korean lines instead. Words have meaning & power. Maybe I am just opposed to this particular song, because I usually enjoy the occasional English Lyric. From the first time I Heard “Ugly” I thought of TLC’s “Unpretty”, but that song was about telling people NOT to make one feel unpretty – maybe “Ugly” has that same message in it somewhere, (I hope,) but I haven’t seen an entire English translation yet. Perhaps it boils down to choosing the RIGHT words to be spoken in English? Also the producers should make sure that the English words are being pronounced correctly. If they cannot be pronounced correctly, just leave it in the native tongue! I still love music I can’t understand all the way because the mood, the vocal performances & the music speak for themselves.

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