#wdsw

From a translator’s perspective, my most loved (and simultaneously despised) lyrics would be the ones that are easily lost in translation, as it is my duty to ensure that these are given enough attention to optimise the listener’s experience. However, from a long-term High Skool’s point of view, I’m more drawn to the lines that provide a connection to their previous works.

That being said, here are some of my most memorable lines/moments from each track.

1. 난 사람이 제일 무서워 (PEOPLE SCARE ME)

“The rice plant only gets cut when it bows down”

Here, Mithra alludes to his line in 풍파 (Hardships) from Epik High’s first album where he says, literally, “You are still an unripe rice plant” - I originally left out the rice plant part because it sounded too awkward. But there is a Korean proverb that says “A rice plant bows when ripe” meaning you should always be respectful and courteous, just like a rice plant ‘bowing down’ after it has matured. Despite mentioning this in their debut album, Mithra now conveys that adulthood and maturity (bowing down) will only eventually lead to demise (the rice plant getting cut).

“Do not believe the sweet tongue of those who crawl about”

(don’t listen to snakes) Tablo really loves recycling this line, but I’m quite fond of the way it’s phrased. so dramatic

2. 연애소설 (LOVE STORY) (Feat. IU)

“No stars in the skies of Seoul”

Ending their first title track in true Epik High style. Reminds me of 우산 (Umbrella) from Pieces, Part 1. 

3. 노땡큐 (NO THANXXX) (Feat. MINO, Simon Dominic, The Quiett)

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT SIMON D SHREDDED THIS TRACK

4. 빈차 (Vacant Taxi/HOME IS FAR AWAY) (Feat. Oh Hyuk)

“What’s asked of me isAlways for me to reach a bit higher than my already outstretched handsThe world’s standards are soaring towards EverestAs I get closer to the peak, all I have is a mountain of stress”

R E L A T A B L E

5. HERE COME THE REGRETS (Feat. Lee Hi)

I liked Mithra’s lines. Always good fun to hear him rap in English lol.

6. 상실의 순기능 (THE BENEFITS OF HEARTBREAK) (Feat. Suhyun of AKMU)

“What do I live for?“

This line is literally “why do I live?” - gave me chills when coupled with Suhyun’s voice.

“The moment your hands left mine, they were replaced by the rushing hands of time.“

I quite enjoyed translating this line, because the literal translation still retained all the symbolism (!!!)

7. BLEED

“Now for me, ‘under’ and ‘over’ mean ‘never understood’ and ‘always overthinkin’’.”

Classic Tablo thing to say. I also love how he keeps dropping the g from -ing (it’s like he thinks he’s cool or somethin’)

“Our smiles always wither away before even bloomingBut flowers that never bloomed still gather to form a garden.”

I think most people listen to Epik High for these kind of lines. They’re simple but beautiful and powerful.

8. TAPE 2002年 7月 28日 (Skit)

Someone asked me to identify the songs played in this track, and here was my answer:

I can hear part of the chorus from 피해망상 (Paranoia) Part. 3 at 0:22 but I can hear that it’s over a different instrumental. At 0:40, I can hear Mithra’s line from 풍파 (Hardships) and can confirm it’s the same song. As for the other songs, I’m not sure whether they’ve actually been released in the first place.

My best guess is that these are tracks they’ve worked on for their first album (which was released in 2003), especially judging by Tablo’s younger voice and Mithra’s pronunciation (he used to roll his tongue… a lot……)

9. 어른 즈음에 (Around Adulthood/US AGAINST THE WORLD)

“Been filling up my glass with my worries all night longThey tread on the early morning air, as if they have nowhere to go.”

Maybe it’s just my thing but I love when Epik High talks about daybreak/dawn/early mornings. Suits their aesthetic.

“Be happy, dude.Get rich, dude.Meet the right one and live a good life, dude.Be happy, dude.I love you, dude.Meet the right one and love your daughter, dude.Dude.”

I just remember spending 10 minutes trying to decide whether to write “dude” or “bro”. I love you broIn retrospect I shoud’ve just gone with ‘man’ idk why I didn’t think of thatIt’s fixed now

10. 개화 (開花) (Blooming/LOST ONE) (Feat. Kim Jong Wan of Nell)

My favourite track. Tablo’s message to Haru, and a nod to 낙화(落花) (Fallen Blossoms), his solo track from Pieces, Part 1. If Tablo himself represents the fallen blossoms, Tablo conveys that he never wants Haru to bloom (awaken from her dream) because the only thing to follow would be for her to fall, much like what he experienced.

“Hope you can reach your dream.Hope your dream only shows you the things you can hold on to.Because success is about taking as much as you give,Hope your dream doesn’t give you something too precious.Hope your dream doesn’t attract attention.Protect it like a secret, and always hold your breath.Because the world is a place that takes as much as it gives,Hope your dream doesn’t only show you dreamlike things.Hope your dream lasts long.”

The outro also loosely draws a parallel to the aforementioned track where Tablo raps:

“My dream is the dream of a dwarf who walks on the sky.The dream of a blind man with the rainbow in his hands.The dream of an orphan who fell asleep to a sweet lullaby.The dream of an undutiful child who turned back the time.My dream is the dream of every mother in the world.The dream of a mute man who sings out loud.My dream is the dream of a deaf man who smiles to his lover’s soft whispers.

Just dream.Though it’s a dream I can’t have, I have a dream.Though it’s a dream that staggers, I have a dream.Though it’s a dream that’s been abandoned, I have a dream.Live and die for this dream.Though it’s a dream I can’t have, I have a dream.Though it’s a dream that staggers, I have a dream.Though it’s a dream that’s been abandoned, I have a dream.Live and die for this dream.”

11. 문배동 단골집 (MUNBAE-DONG) (Feat. Crush)

“At the place where I would hear Epik High on rainy days,All I hear now is trap.”

It wouldn’t be Epik High without the rain.

On the album as a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed the underlying theme of reminiscence, regret, maturity and a sense of responsibility. There was an overall bitter tone to the lyrics that permeated through all 11 tracks, but I think it helped to provide a narrative that everyone could relate to and seek comfort in.