Learn Korean with Gangnam Style Part 2: Psy’s Gentleman

Verse 1 (Part 1)

The basic line: “알랑가몰라 왜 화끈해야 하는건지”

• 알랑가몰라 (dialect, maybe 전라도) = 알런지몰라 (proper form) = I dunno if you know
• 해야 하다 = must/have to (Korean Grammar in Use: Beginner, page 171)
• 하는건지 = 한는지 = how to
• 하는지 알다/몰르다 = I know/don’t know how (TOPIK 150, Rule #092, page 267)

A proper sentence: “나는 왜 [화끈]해야 하는건지 알런지몰라요.”
(I dunno if you know why I have to be so [hot.])

Every line actually begins with “I dunno if you know…” The red word is replaceable.

Also, in Psy’s lyrics, there is no subject in the sentence. The subject is kind of implied as “I” (나는). The “I dunno if you know” part (알랑가몰라) is put at the beginning of the sentence for lyrical emphasis of that phrase. Grammatically, that part belongs at the end of the sentence. This blog post does a good job explaining that part of the grammar. It’s also covered in TOPIK 150 as grammar rule 092 on page 267.

Additional Vocabulary:

• 화끈 = hot
• 말끔 = dapper (neat in trim or dress – typically of a male)
• 알리까리하다 = confused (like something is in your brain somewhere, but you can’t quite think clearly)

The way he uses the last vocabulary: “아리까리하면 까리해” makes it sound like: “It’ll be a problem if you’re confused.”

Verse 1 (Part 2)

The basic sentence ending: “말이야” = “I’m sayin’!” or “I’m talkin’ about!”

• 있잖아 = grabs attention, with 말이야 = basically “Hey, you know what?” It’s a conversation opener.
  
• 말씀드리자면 = 말씀드리다 (basic form) = “I will tell you about” 이사람 = “this guy”
• 듣고픈말 = 듣고싶은말 = what you want to hear
• 하고픈게 = 하고싶은게 = what you want to do
• 난데 = “It’s me!”

Additional vocabulary:

• 용기 = Courageous
  
• 패기 = Ambitious
• 똘끼 = (maybe) 똘아이 = Idiot (not quite sure about it)
• 멋쟁이 = Fashion addict

Basically, Psy is bragging himself up in these lyrics. “Hey, baby. Let me tell you about this guy. He’s so courageous, ambitious, idiotic, and a fashion addict. Of course, he’s all the things you want to hear, and all the things you want to do. And he’s ME!”

Verse 2 (Part 1)

Additional vocabulary:

• 미끈 = slippery, silky, smooth
  
• 쌔끈 = sexy (slang)
• 달링 = darling
• 난리해 (slang) = 난리나다 (basic form) = uproar, crazy, loud
• 빨리해 = hurry up

The last two lines basically say, “I dunno if you know, darling, come on and hurry make some noise with me. I dunno if you know it’s a crazy, crazy party hurry!”

Verse 2 (Part 1)

Additional vocabulary:

• 머리 = head
  
• 허리 = waist
• 다리 = leg
• 종아리 = calf (leg)
• 부드럽게 = soft
• 헉소리 = “Huck” sound
• 악소리 = “Ack” sound

Additional grammar:

• 소리나게 = adverb of 소리나다 (verb) = “hear the sound”

Psy compliments the girl’s head, waist, legs, and calves – calls them smooth and “good feeling.” Then goes on to say, “You’ll hear some ‘huck’ sound and some ‘ack’ sound.” Hmm, sounds like things are heating up in here. The translation on this site says, “I’ll make you gasp and I’ll make you scream.”

Final vocabulary

• 가사/작사 = lyrics
• 작곡 = music (composition)
• 편곡 = arrangement