PUMA

⋆ Korean Title: Puma That Escaped the Zoo.

⋆ Genre: Hip-hop (Trap)

⋆ Producing Credits: Sam Klempner

⋆ Writing/Composing Credits: Sam Klempner, Supreme Boi, Melanie Joy Fontana, Michel "Lindgren" Schultz, Slow Rabbit, Krysta Youngs, Julia Rossn

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ABOUT/MEANING: 'PUMA' uses the metaphor of a puma escaping captivity to symbolize the boys'* desire for freedom, while grappling with the risks and uncertainties of stepping beyond their comfort zones. Inspired by a real-life incident in Korea where a puma escaped from a zoo and tragically lost its life shortly after, the song reflects the tension between the thrill of breaking free and the fear of rejection and its potential consequences. It explores the emotional turmoil of pursuing independence, self-expression, and identity, while navigating unfamiliar, often unwelcoming terrain. As they confront isolation and external pressures, the boys' journey mirrors the struggles of adolescence, where one must balance the desire for freedom with the fear that comes with it. Despite the fear, there's a sense of exhilaration in embracing their choices, demonstrating resilience in overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams. Additionally, the song parallels TXT's own journey within the idol industry, facing high expectations, comparisons to their seniors, and intense scrutiny. In this way, ‘PUMA’ encapsulates the emotional complexity and struggles they endured while navigating their own path to self-realization (for a breakdown of how the lyrics illustrate this, click here).

*For further context on the song check out 'The Dream Chapter: ETERNITY' album summary

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LYRICS - ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Yeah, west side, east side

Didn’t know where to, where to go, no

Tonight we ride, the noise of this still night

In the darkness, that door opens

Who will stop me? No one, oh

West side, east side

It don't matter anymore

Hot hot hot hot

My feet are scorched, it's so hot

Open my eyes, feel, breathe, dream

The world I've dreamed of

The grandest night sky of my life (night sky)

My feet are already at mach speed

CONTEXT/EXPLANATION: Mach speed is when an object moves faster than the speed of sound.

That green light in front of my eyes

Nothing, nothing scares me

They came, catch my back

Must never get caught

They came, catch my friends

That thick fog is settling in

It’s pitch black all around (It's coming)

Through the tension (turn it up, turn it up)

All I hear is bang bang bang (I have to run)

But somehow, I feel happy (I'm PUMA)

This feeling I’ve never felt before

Now that I've met freedom for the first time

Somehow I’m happy

My choice is my leader

I'm my own believer

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

My heart is pounding

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

My own blood I see for the first time

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

It spreads little by little

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

This blood that keeps me running, running

After escaping the zoo

The world I faced is so unfamiliar

No one welcomed me

Every day's a race, "my feet save me!"

When night falls, in that moon

The face of the mother I've missed

A saddened heart

My second baby step

I told ya (Told ya)

Too young to be on my own

This world is a jungle full of warriors

The scope zeroes in on your neck

Thousands of eyes on the internet

Watch out, your enemies will spread in an instant

“How much longer till I reach my dream?”

Only gunshots ring out at that question

Again, I run up so I can keep on breathing

But somehow, I feel happy (I'm PUMA)

This feeling I’ve never felt before

Now that I've met freedom for the first time

Somehow I’m happy

My choice is my leader

I'm my own believer

My heart is pounding

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

My own blood I see for the first time

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

It spreads little by little

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

The blood that makes me run, makes me run

Yeah, west side, east side

Didn’t know where to, where to go, no

Tonight we ride, the noise of this still night

In the darkness, that door opens

Who will stop me? No one, oh

West side, east side

It don't matter anymore (More, no)

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Helpful Context (Album Summary): 'The Dream Chapter: Eternity' delves into the complex, painful side of adolescence - inner conflict, emotional distance, and the fear of change. As their once-solid bond begins to fracture, the boys confront the reality that even the closest friendships are tested by time. Despite their confusion and longing, they cling to the hope that their moments together might last an eternity. This final chapter in the trilogy speaks to the uncertainty of chasing dreams amid the turbulence of growing up, mirroring TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s own transition from trainees to debut artists.

Helpful Context (Album Series Summary): The Dream Chapter trilogy follows five boys, united by one dream, navigating the transition from childhood to adolescence. Set in a dreamlike world, through themes of friendship, self-discovery, and emotional growth, the albums explore the complexities of this pivotal time in life. The series also mirrors TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s own journey as artists, reflecting their evolution from trainees to debut artists and their pursuit of dreams.

*In the context of TXT’s discography, the term ‘boy’/‘boys’ are used to represent both the members themselves as well as serve as generalized protagonists embodying the universal experiences of youth.