GGUM
Updated: 1 day ago
⋆ Released: September 19th 2024
⋆ Genre: Hip-hop
⋆ Producing Credits: Teemu Brunila, Jurek
⋆ Writing/Composing Credits: Benji Bae, Jesse Thomas, Jurek Reunamäki, Ryan Curtis, Teemu Brunila, TIMMS, Yeonjun
ABOUT/MEANING: “GGUM” uses chewing gum as a playful metaphor for Yeonjun’s persistence, ambition and confidence. Like gum that stretches without breaking and stubbornly sticks wherever it lands, Yeonjun presents himself as someone who can be knocked down repeatedly without staying down. Challenges become something to chew through, while his music becomes something equally difficult to shake - sticking with listeners long after they hear it.
Beneath its swagger is a mentality Yeonjun has repeatedly described as central to who he is. He wants to keep challenging himself, take risks and continue pushing beyond what he has already achieved. “GGUM” turns that determination into bravado: having endured setbacks and continued upwards, he approaches whatever comes next with less fear and even greater ambition.
As Yeonjun’s first official solo release, the song also gave him a major opportunity to introduce “artist Yeonjun” outside TXT’s group music. Rather than attempting to define that identity completely, “GGUM” begins with qualities already unmistakably associated with him - performance, confidence, ambition and an appetite for challenge.
In that sense, “GGUM” is less a final statement of who Yeonjun is than a declaration of intent: knock me down and I’ll keep going; listen once and I’ll stick with you.
LYRICS - ENGLISH TRANSLATION (nuances explained by @translatingTXT):❗For a breakdown and further explanation of the lyrics, beyond the translations in the lyric video, check out the written lyrics below.
Let's go
YJ
Yeah, I make it chewy like gum chew, chew
TRANSLATION NOTE: The Korean expression 껌이다 (kkeom-ida), literally “it’s gum,” is used to describe something extremely easy — similar to saying something is “a piece of cake.” Against the song’s repeated gum imagery, it adds another layer to Yeonjun’s confident claim that he can handle whatever is put in front of him.
Hop on this beat, no time to dawdle
No need to be humble when I'm on the floor
Even if my jaw locks, I'll keep it pop and blow
Gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew
TRANSLATION NOTE: 껌 (kkeom) means “gum,” while 질겅 (jilgeong) is an onomatopoeic expression evoking the repeated action or sound of chewing something tough or chewy. Together, 껌 질겅 creates the image and rhythm of chewing gum, which the English rendering “gum chew, chew” attempts to preserve.
Crank up that volume
Pop it off like bubble gum
Been dreaming for this moment
Started from my little room
Everybody run with me reach higher up
Not alone, got ma team by my side
Imma stay sweet forever
WORDPLAY: Chewing gum gradually loses its sweetness and flavour, but Yeonjun promises to “stay sweet forever.” Within the song’s extended gum metaphor, the line expresses his determination to remain fresh and exciting rather than becoming something people eventually tire of.
I'm always on fire
Easy thing (Easy thing)
No fun now, up the ante in my game (In my game)
CONTEXT: Yeonjun has repeatedly expressed that he enjoys challenging himself. While preparing his 2021 Artist of the Month performance, he similarly explained, “It’s actually more fun because it isn’t easy. It’d be boring if it was easy.” “GGUM” turns that same mentality into a boast: if something is too easy, he would rather raise the difficulty.
Go hit that gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew (Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew (Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Gum chew, chew
Yeah, I make it chewy like gum chew, chew
Hop on this beat, no time to dawdle
No need to be humble when I'm on the floor
Even if my jaw locks, I'll keep it pop and blow
Gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew
I'm not afraid anymore
I've hit it over and over down, down, down
I stick to this scene/floor
WORDPLAY / TRANSLATION NOTE: 이 바닥 (i badak) can literally mean “this floor/ground,” but colloquially can also refer to “this field,” “this scene” or “this industry.” The double meaning is particularly fitting for “GGUM”: like gum sticking stubbornly to the floor, Yeonjun declares that he has stuck with his place in the industry despite everything he has endured.
I've endured and come this far, now go for the next, next, next
Every minute, second
Blow and spit out a banger
This song's now stuck in your ears
Like Venom, you can't get it off
REFERENCE: The capitalised “Venom” appears to reference the Marvel character, whose symbiote attaches itself to a host and can be difficult to separate from them. The comparison extends the song’s central metaphor: like gum - and like Venom - Yeonjun intends to stick.
Every day (Every day)
Refresh your stale vibe with ma taste (With ma taste)
Go hit that gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew (Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew (Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Gum chew, chew
Yeah, I make it chewy like gum chew, chew
Hop on this beat, no time to dawdle
No need to be humble when I'm on the floor
Even if my jaw locks, I'll keep it pop and blow
Gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew
Yeah, I make it chewy like gum chew, chew
Hop on this beat, no time to dawdle
No need to be humble when I'm on the floor
Even if my jaw locks, I'll keep it pop and blow
Gum chew, chew
Gum chew, chew
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