The K-pop girl group X:IN are getting ready to drop their second mini-album, THE REAL, and yesterday, the multinational quintet released the single “MY IDOL,” a testament to all the hard work they’ve put in and a tribute to the many K-pop artists who made their success possible. The sweet, inspirational trap-pop song debuted inside the Top 10 of the Genius Top Songs chart.
Produced by control x, “MY IDOL” opens with a reminder of what K-pop hopefuls must endure on the path to stardom. X:IN member Hannah recalls her mother warning her it would be a difficult life. “Please wait just a little bit every day,” Hannah sings, according to the English translation. “I just need to practice and practice.”
엄만 내게 힘들 거라 했지만
상관없어 믿어줘서 고마워
아주 조금만 기다려줘 everyday
연습하고 연습하면 될 거야
In the pre-chorus, E.sha reflects on how her dream of being a K-pop star keeps her up at night. She admits it’s an uncertain future she’s chasing, but this pursuit gives her life (“it lets me breathe”), so what choice does she have?
때론 불안한 미래가 (But it’s my only dream)
나를 잠 못 들게 하지만
숨을 쉬게 해주니까 어쩔 수가 없잖아 (Hey)
Then comes the chorus, where X:IN start name-checking K-pop royalty. Nova goes first and shouts out BLACKPINK (as well as its individual members), Girls’ Generation, Wonder Girls, and 2NE1. X:IN has nothing but love and respect for these and other groundbreaking artists.
블랙핑크 in your area, 제니, 지수, 로제, 리사 (Shining like you shining)
소원을 말해봐, 소녀시대, 원더걸스 (Shining like a star)
내가 제일 잘나가, 2NE1 (Shining like you shining)
Respect, respect
Respect, respect
The second verse is all in English, and Aria vows to honor her heroes by helping X:IN blow up.
I won’t fail, I gotta be what I wanna be, my idol gotta see
We so bound to make a win, loud, we make a scene
Watch us with your eyes and I move with my team
You keep in mind, a piece of my name
Bet that, reckon that, we gonna make it blow
The next time through the chorus, X:IN give props to the male groups BTS, BIGBANG (빅뱅), SUPER JUNIOR, TVXQ!, 2PM (투피엠), and SHINee.
BTS 불타올라, 나 역시도 ARMY (Shining like you shining)
뱅뱅뱅 빅뱅, 슈퍼주니어, 동방신기 (Shining like a star)
짐승같은 2PM, 샤이니 is back (Shining like you shining)
Respect, respect
Respect, respect
Later in the chorus, X:IN salute MONSTA X, THE BOYZ, EXO, Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN (세븐틴), NCT, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and ATEEZ.
“MY IDOL” arrives with a music video featuring early photos and rehearsal footage of the five X:IN members.
You can read all the lyrics to “MY IDOL”—and its English translation—on Genius now.
