Haegeum (해금) - Meaning of Haegum by Agust D (BTS). What does haegeum mean?
Haegeum is a song about unlocking our new potentialities, freeing something previously forbidden. The word “Haegeum” triggered a lot of curiosity after the track was released, and it has a double meaning. On one side, it’s a traditional Korean string instrument that has a very peculiar sound, but this is not the authentic meaning Agust D/Suga intended originally.
“Haegeum” means “allowing/unlocking something that was forbidden.”

Haegeum (해금) Meaning 「Lyrics」

Haegeum 해금 - BTS Agust D 「Lyrics」

Yeah! Okay, okay! Yeah, yeah, yeah! This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah! This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song's a haegeum, yeah! Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm! Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum

[Verse 1]
This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum, yeah
Interpretation is free for all
Out with the nonsense
Freedom of expression
Could be reason for somebody's death
Could you still consider that freedom?
If your convictions are reflected in your judgment and speculations
And you believe that your freedom is on the same level as others
Then don't hesitate, just get on board
Liberation from all that's forbidden
For all those living in these unfortunate times
Who don't even understand their own tastes

[Pre-Chorus]
This song's simply about freeing what’s forbidden
But you must remember to differentiate freedom from self-indulgence
This song's a haegeum
Get on board now
This lively rhythm
A new kind of haegeum

[Chorus]
This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum

[Verse 2]
Endless influx of information prohibits freedom of imagination, and seeks conformity of thought
All these painful noises blind you, and
Now it even infringes on freedom of thought
All the controversy incessantly
Triggers confusion in judgment uh
Really, what is it exactly that’s been restricting us?
Maybe we do it to ourselves
Slaves to capitalism, slaves to money
Slaves to hatred and prejudice
Slaves to YouTube, slaves to flexin’
Selfishness and greed have gone off the rails
I close my eyes and it’s easy, it’s all so obvious
Opinions clearly split depending on what’s to gain
Everyone’s been blinded by envy and jealousy
Without realizing that they’re putting shackles on each other

[Pre-Chorus]
Don’t get swept away by this tsunami of info
’Cause we all differentiate freedom from self-indulgence
This song’s a haegeum
Get on board now
This lively rhythm
A new kind of haegeum

[Chorus]
This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum
This song's a haegeum, yeah
Get on board now, yeah
This lively rhythm
Perhaps, this could be a new kind of haegeum