Intro : Persona
BTS Lyrics

(You can be)
This song is an invitation for the listener to consider their own sense of self and identity.

Yo 나는 누구인가 평생 물어온 질문
The singer is asking the fundamental question of who they are, something that they have been contemplating their whole life.

아마 평생 정답은 찾지 못할 그 질문
The singer reflects that perhaps they will never find a definitive answer to this question.

나란 놈을 고작 말 몇 개로 답할 수 있었다면
The artist acknowledges that their identity cannot be defined by just a few words, and that such a simplistic answer would not do them justice.

신께서 그 수많은 아름다움을 다 만드시진 않았겠지
The artist suggests that if their identity is complex and multifaceted, then God must have created many different forms of beauty as well, not just one.

How you feel? 지금 기분이 어때?
The singer asks the listener how they feel in the present moment.

사실 난 너무 좋아, 근데 조금 불편해
The singer admits that they are feeling good, but also slightly uncomfortable.

나는 내가 개인지 돼진지 뭔지도 아직 잘 모르겠는데
The artist confesses that they are unsure of their own individuality and sense of self.

남들이 와서 진주목걸일 거네
The artist speculates that other people may try to define them in a certain way based on their appearance or behavior.

예전보단 자주 웃어
The artist notes that they smile more often than they used to.

소원했던 superhero
The singer reflects on their past desire to be a superhero.

이젠 진짜 된 것 같어
The artist feels like they have truly become someone important.

근데 갈수록 뭔 말들이 많어
Despite their success, the singer finds that there are more and more opinions and criticisms surrounding them.

누군 달리라고 누군 멈춰서라 해
The singer notes that different people have expectations and demands for them, both positive and negative.

얘는 숲을 보라고 걔는 들꽃을 보라 해
The singer feels like some people compare them to a tree and then tell them to focus on the bigger picture, and others compare them to a flower and ask them to focus on the details.

내 그림자, 나는 망설임이라 쓰고 불렀네
The artist personifies their shadow as their hesitation.

걘 그게 되고 나서 망설인 적이 없었네
The artist reflects that once they commit to something, they do not hesitate anymore.

무대 아래든 아님 조명 아래든 자꾸 나타나
The singer notes that they keep appearing, whether it is below the stage or in the limelight.

아지랑이처럼 뜨겁게 자꾸 날 노려보네 (oh, shit)
The singer feels like they are being targeted like a magnet, with intense gaze and scrutiny.

야, 이 짓을 왜 시작한 건지 벌써 잊었냐?
The artist questions why they started doing what they are doing in the first place, and wonders if they have already forgotten.

넌 그냥 들어주는 누가 있단 게 막 좋았던 거야
The artist reminisces about how good it felt to have someone just listen to them without judgment.

가끔은 그냥 싹 다 헛소리 같아
The artist admits that sometimes their words feel meaningless and like nonsense.

취하면 나오는 거 알지? Huh 치기 같아
The singer acknowledges that they can become aggressive and violent when drunk.

나 따위가 무슨 music
The artist feels insecure about their identity as a musician.

나 따위가 무슨 truth
The singer feels insecure about their ability to speak the truth and make meaningful statements.

나 따위가 무슨 소명
The singer questions whether or not they have a meaningful purpose in life.

나 따위가 무슨 muse
The singer questions whether they can inspire others as a muse.

내가 아는 나의 흠 어쩜 그게 사실 내 전부
The artist reflects that their flaws make up a significant part of their identity.

세상은 사실 아무 관심 없어, 나의 서툼
The artist feels like the world does not care about their clumsiness or their struggles.

이제 질리지도 않는 후회들과 매일 밤 징그럽게 뒹굴고
The singer reflects that they still feel restless and haunted by their past regrets every night, even though they have grown used to it.

돌릴 길 없는 시간들을 습관처럼 비틀어도
The singer notes that they still try to spend their idle time in a habitual way, even though they feel like they are going nowhere.

그때마다 날 또 일으켜 세운 것 최초의 질문
The artist reflects that every time they feel defeated by their regrets and insecurities, they ask themselves the same question that they have been asking their whole life, which is the fundamental question of who they are.

내 이름 석 자 그 가장 앞에 와야 할 but
The artist identifies themselves as a person named Seok Jaa, and reflects that there is something that comes before that name that is more important.

So I'm askin' once again yeah Who the hell am I?
The artist repeats the fundamental question of their identity, emphasizing the importance of this question in their life.

Tell me y'all, your names baby Do you wanna die?
The singer invites the listener to reflect on their own identity, and then poses a provocative question about death.

Oh, do you wanna go (go)? Do you wanna fly (fly)?
The artist asks whether the listener wants to go on a journey or soar to new heights.

Where's your soul? Where's your dream? Do you think you're alive?
The singer asks the listener to reflect on their innermost sense of self and purpose, and whether they truly feel alive.

I don't know man But I know one thing
The singer admits that they are uncertain about many things, but express confidence in one thing.

Yeah, my name is R 내가 기억하고 사람들이 아는 나
The singer identifies themselves as R and notes that this is how they are known to others.

날 토로하기 위해 내가 스스로 만들어낸 나
The artist suggests that they created a version of themselves that others can easily understand and relate to.

Yeah 난 날 속여왔을지도 뻥쳐왔을지도
The artist admits that they may have deceived themselves and others about their identity at times.

But 부끄럽지 않아 이게 내 영혼의 지도
The singer is not ashamed of this, and reflects that their various identities and experiences make up a map to their soul.

Dear myself 넌 절대로 너의 온도를 잃지 마
The singer addresses themselves directly and implores them to never lose their inner sense of warmth and aliveness.

따뜻히도 차갑게도 될 필요 없으니까
They reassure themselves that it is okay to be emotional and have different moods and temperatures.

가끔은 위선적이어도, 위악적이어도
The artist admits that they may come across as hypocritical or even malevolent at times.

이게 내가 걸어두고 싶은 내 방향의 척도
The artist suggests that this is all part of the map of their soul, and the path they want to walk in life.

내가 되고 싶은 나
The singer reflects on who they want to be in the future.

사람들이 원하는 나
The artist reflects on who others want them to be.

니가 사랑하는 나
The singer reflects on who they are when someone loves them.

또 내가 빚어내는 나
The singer reflects on who they are when they are creating something new.

웃고 있는 나 가끔은 울고 있는 나
The singer acknowledges that they have different sides to themselves, sometimes happy and sometimes sad.

지금도 매분 매순간 살아 숨쉬는
The artist affirms their present existence as a living, breathing being.

Persona (yeah) Who the hell am I (yeah)
The phrase 'Persona' is repeated, emphasizing the theme of identity in the song. They also repeat the question of 'Who the hell am I' to reinforce its importance.

I just wanna go (yeah) I just wanna fly (yeah)
The singer expresses their desire for adventure and personal growth.

I just wanna give you all the voices till I die (yeah)
The singer expresses their desire to be heard and to share their own voice with others.

I just wanna give you all the shoulders when you cry (yeah)
The artist expresses their desire to be supportive and comforting to others in their times of need.