Code Mixing in KPop Lyrics
The most common usage of English in KPop lyrics is referred to linguistically as “code mixing”. Code mixing occurs when a speaker of two (or more) languages switches between the languages within the same sentence or utterance. This can be heard in a majority of KPop songs and often serves to give them a ‘cool’ sound. KPop is generally made to appeal to the younger generation of Koreans, and these hip, modern-sounding English phrases give the music a fresh ‘Western’ vibe that is popular among Korean teenagers and young adults.
Examples of Code Mixing
Examples of code mixing abound in KPop lyrics. Listed below are just a few examples, with audio files to support each. Many other examples of code mixing other than those mentioned can be heard throughout each song, as well.
KOREAN MIXING WITH ENGLISH PHRASES
Romanized Korean words are in bold type.
- Lyric: "I can’t believe daebak happening."
daebak (대박): A Korean term that literally translates as “big win” but is used to refer to something that is amazing or cool.
- Lyric: "Annyeong, really, really good-goodbye."
annyeong (안녕): Korean for “hello” and “goodbye”.
ENGLISH MIXING WITH KOREAN PHRASES
English words are in bold type.
- Lyric: “24 hours 너와 단둘이 있다면...”
24 hours, if I can be with only you…
- Lyric: “나만 몰랐었던 something.”
I was the only one who didn’t know about this something.
- Lyric: “내 출세가 남에겐 bad news.”
My success to others is bad news.
- Lyric: “니 발 밑으로 흩어지는 수억 개의 stars.”
Scattered beneath your feet are hundreds of millions of stars.