We all have those moods— you know the ones where we are either very happy or very sad. It’s always an extreme emotion one way or another pushed even further by too much booze. Yet sometimes when I’m pounding my fist in the air it’s hard for me to keep track. Am I sticking to my guns or cursing my very existence? And just what is all that screaming is about? Well it’s time again to sit down with my trusty pocket dictionary and take a closer look at my favorite tunes. Next time I’m shouting along from the pit I’ll know exactly what it is I’m supposed to feel and maybe instead of punching DK on the arm I’ll just go up and give him a big hug.

All the Time
by Shorty Cat

Shorty Cat has been gaining a steady following ever since their inception. Detractors would say they are all image, a critique that is sometimes hard to deny, but maintain there are more to these girls than short skirts and sexy winks. I was curious about their song “All the Time” (which appeared both on their demo and their fulllength) so I asked their guitarist Eunjin; “it’s about not being nailed into a frame of thought or stuck to a certain planned path for your life. Anytime you want you can break free and live your life as you choose.”

사람들은 나를위해 걱정한다 하지만
People say they worry about me but
짜맞춰진 틀속에 날 가두려고 하는걸
They’ve got me locked up in a tight frame
보다멋진 삶을위해 충고한다 하지만
They advise me on how to live an respectable life but
틀에 박힌 생각대로 내게 강요 하려하는걸
their ideas only nail me tighter to this frame
누군가가 만들어낸 기준에 맞춰
Conforming to some else’s standards
모두 똑같은 표정으로 웃고있 지만
Everyone smiles with the same expression but
너의 모습 너의생각 너의 뜻대 로 널위핸 세상을 사는거야
with your fashion, your thoughts, your everything you’re living your life for yourself that make me two of us~two of us~
남과 다른 청춘의 시작
I started my youth different from the rest
that make me two of us~two of us~
나는 결코 후회않겠어
I will never regret that that make me two of us~two of us~
먼 훗날 다시 돌아보아도
Later when I look back that make me two of us~two of us~
웃을수 있는 내가 되겠어
I’ll be able to laugh it’s you
이것저것 생각말고 앞을 바라봐
don’t hesitate but charge ahead
it’s you
바로저기 너의 꿈이 있잖아
your dream lies straight in front of you
it’s you
지쳐 쓰러져나 후회 한다해도
even when you are exhausted with regret
it’s you
다시 되돌릴수 없는 걸 알아
know that you can never go back

바보 (Stupid)
by Bad Idols

Not all the punks however are as optimistic or cheerful as Shorty Cat. For an alternative take on Korean youth I turned to the Bad Idols, a group more known for their songs about domestic violence and vengeance. What I found was an unlikely emo kid and a reminder that under all those spikes and leather everyone just needs a hug not just cute girls in school uniforms.

나 같은 건 바보
I’m stupid
울어버린 바보
Cry myself away stupid
대답없이 쓰러졌던 나!
I pass out drunk with no reply
대답없은 바보
Too stupid to respond
울지없은 바보
Too stupid to cry
나 같은건 정말 바보야!
I’m really stupid!
쓰러자도 바보
Even when I pass out, stupid
술마시도 바보
Even when I drink, stupid
물어봐도 대답 없는 너!
No matter what I say you don’t reply
날 좀 보라고, 제발! 날 좀 봐 라바!
Look at me, please! Look at me!
날 좀 보라고, 제발! 날 좀 안 아줘. 나를!
Look at me, please! Hug me!
나 같은건 바보
I’m stupid
24살 바보
24 years old, stupid
어젠 정말 지쳐버렸나봐
And I’m tired from all those years