Hello—I'm wondering if someone could clear up a little mystery for me.. So I've been discovering Aespa for about two months now, for the first time, which is why I'm asking about a years-old song. But I just stumbled onto Illusion the past few days, and I am so shook by this song. It is a perfect pop song.
I've read up on the lore, and understand many accept the lyrics are Black Mamba's POV – but my question is about a much smaller detail—the lyric lines that end with "growing up…"
I caught the subtitles on one of their performances on YouTube saying the line translates to "fed on attention growing up." I thought that was really, really hot lyrically—conceptually, for the double-sided meaning of the song that sounds like a girl's perspective on "hooking up" with a one-night stand.
But then I've seen every way more translations say "Feeds on attention and growing up," which is less interesting to me but I understand that it would Black Mamba's POV..
Anyway, can anyone with knowledge of both languages clarify which is the right translation?
by tutorwriter9041
3 Comments
I think this article has a good explanation:
Some people really think “Illusion” lyrics by AESPA were nonsense English words?? – K-POP – allkpop forums https://share.google/HW38ImnrvnQIqKfzK
But it is open to interpretation. I just think the black mamba angle doesn’t work for me.
It involves the mythology of will o the wisp to a degree. My understanding is that its just generally about consuming your enemy and wasnt meant to be anything regarding Black Mamba specifically. The growing amd illusion part is about the “goblin fire” Dokkaibi mythology to my understanding or perhaps growing in power after consuming (eating/delicious) your enemy’s power.
Originally it was supposed to be about eating dessert according to one of the co-writers (i dont remember the names). I have never heard anything about the song being about a girls one night stand lmao
Edit: of course its a song and everyone can enjoy it however they like, i’m strictly talking about stuff i have read from people involved with the song
re: *관심을 먹고 Growing up*
i think the most accurate translation is the one with “and” — consuming/eating attention & subsequently growing up with that as nourishment instead of food. **the “고” ending here on the “eat” verb usually connects two actions and implies one leads to the other** when there is another phrase with a verb following it. so the lyrics talk about being fed with attention/interest (giving black mamba lots of data) *and then* subsequently growing up. basically supplanting information and data (attention/interest) with food, because black mamba doesn’t need food, but does consume data to grow.