What If I Had Been That PUMA?

⋆ Korean Title: Balance Game

⋆ Genre [Source: Naver/BigHit]: Hip-hop

⋆ Producing Credits: Slow Rabbit

⋆ Writing/Composing Credits: Ebenezer, Magnus, YEONJUN, danke, hitman bang, TAEHYUN, Jo Yoon Kyung, BEOMGYU, January 8th, LUTRA

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ABOUT/MEANING: ‘What If I Had Been That PUMA’ explores the anxiety and regret tied to the significant decisions the boys* face as they mature. Building on the symbolism of TXT's earlier song ‘PUMA,’ where they liken themselves to a puma escaping a zoo, this track delves into the emotional complexity of the choices the puma faced. The song presents a "balance game" dynamic, where the boys are confronted with an uncertain, binary decision: like the puma, would they risk escaping the zoo for the freedom they crave, even at the cost of potential harm, or would they stay trapped in the zoo, safe but confined? This dilemma mirrors their internal conflict as they grapple with the paths they could have taken and the ones still ahead. The track captures their struggle with the heavy responsibility of growing up, highlighting the tension between the initial thrill of freedom and the sobering reality of regret that follows. The emotional freeze they experience reflects the uncertainty and pressure of their new reality, where every decision feels like it carries the weight of potential regret.

*For further context on the song check out 'The Choas Chapter: FREEZE' album summary

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LYRICS - ENGLISH TRANSLATION (translations by @translatingTXT)

❗Please be sure to read the "About" section above, as it provides a brief explanation of how this song is based on TXT's previous track, PUMA, ensuring you have the proper context to fully understand these lyrics.

Pick your answer A or B,

In front of a balance game with a puma

CONTEXT/EXPLANATION: In Korea, a "Balance Game" refers to the game commonly known as "This or That" in English where participants are asked to choose between two options, often in a fun or challenging way, with each choice having its own pros and cons.

Uh, do I really have to choose?

In front of that question

I’m mute as if I've eaten honey

TRANSLATION NOTE: The Korean idiom "꿀 먹은 듯 벙어리" literally translates to "a mute who has eaten honey." It describes a person who is usually talkative but becomes suddenly silent, often in situations where they would typically speak. The closest English equivalent is "has a cat got your tongue?" which similarly conveys the idea of someone being unexpectedly speechless or at a loss for words.

Among this tricky palette of choices, I don’t know my color

This continuous dilemma ends in darkness

I need you to tell me if you feel the same

I need you to tell me

My EXP is still zero (zero)

CONTEXT/EXPLANATION: In gaming, "EXP" stands for "experience points."

I hate unfamiliar places never ever (ever)

What should I choose, what’s good for me?

A matter with no answer

A sense of freedom lingers outside that door

(Run away!)

Ay, ay, the moment I face it

(Throw it up!)

All around me are my chasers

Be careful, it'll spread in an instant

Try choosing: believer or saver

Jaded by this endless game

Feeling a headache now

Whatever the result, I don’t care

I just wanna skip it

Pick your answer A or B

In front of a balance game with a puma

Uh, do I really have to choose?

In front of that question

I’m mute as if I've eaten honey

Among this tricky palette of choices, I don’t know my color

This continuous dilemma ends in darkness

This game of freeze tag repeats in my head

I just want an answer

At this crossroads, I’m clumsy

The odds are fifty-fifty

My choice becomes reality

Neither side I'm sure of

Close my eyes and guess it, guess it

My choices of either A or B

It might be better, but it's a hit-or-miss

As it sounds, it's not easy

What can it be? There might be no answer

Asking reveals no reasons

I speak well and make it all sound convincing

Then come and bet, if it’s life, can you?

There’s no right answer,

So why insist on a conclusion

I keep falling into this dilemma

I can’t live like this, low-key

Please stop, my mind is already overloaded

Maybe if it were me, I’d stay in the zoo

But I can’t guess back then

What were the puma’s feelings

I don’t know, just skip it

Pick your answer A or B

In front of a balance game with a puma

Uh, do I have to choose?

In front of that question

I’m mute as if I've eaten honey

Among this tricky palette of choices, I don’t know my color

This continuous dilemma ends in darkness

This game of freeze tag repeats in my head

I just want an answer

At this crossroads, I’m clumsy

The odds are fifty-fifty

My choice becomes reality

Neither side I'm sure of

Close my eyes and guess it, guess it

My choices of either A or B

It might be better, but it's a hit-or-miss

As it sounds, it's not easy

Maybe tomorrow I’ll escape reality

Still indulging in imagined doping

I don’t want to choose, I don’t care

I just wanna skip it

Pick your answer A or B

In front of a balance game with a puma

Uh, do I have to choose?

In front of that question,

I’m mute as if I've eaten honey

In this palette of tricky choices, I don’t know my color

This continuous dilemma ends in darkness

This game of freeze tag repeats in my head

I just want an answer

On this crossroads, I'm clumsy

The probability is fifty : fifty

My choice will then be reality

Either one, I’m not sure of it

Close my eyes and guess it, guess it

My choices of either A or B

It might be better, but it's a hit-or-miss

As it sounds, it's not easy

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Helpful Context (Album Series Summary): Following the complexities and challenges that disrupted the boys’* dreamlike world in 'The Dream Chapters' and 'Minisode 1', 'The Chaos Chapters' depict the unraveling of this idyllic existence as they confront the harsh realities and responsibilities that threaten their dreams and relationships. Their once-peaceful lives are thrown into turmoil, leaving them feeling frozen and overwhelmed - until a transformative presence, symbolized as 'you'*, appears before them. This series marks a shift from the nostalgic and hopeful themes of earlier chapters to a deeper, more introspective exploration of both internal and external conflicts. Influenced by real-world events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, The Chaos Chapters reflect the broader struggles and chaos of youth. [*Within TXT's discography-based narrative, the term 'boys' or 'boy' represents the TXT members while also serving as generalized protagonists to convey the broader experiences of youth. While 'you' is intentionally kept broad, allowing for various interpretations of the relationship whether it be platonic, romantic, fan-artist, or another dynamic.]

Helpful Context (Album Summary: The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE) : 'The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE’ portrays a world where the warmth of friendship and youthful dreams is disrupted by isolation and emotional coldness. As his once-peaceful world crumbles, the boy* is confronted with alienation and the harsh realities of growing up, leaving him feeling frozen - insignificant, empty, and unable to move forward. Yet, amidst the chaos, the arrival of 'you'*, a special someone, brings warmth and light into his life, awakening a love that becomes his anchor. Believing that you are his true and only world, he finds refuge in this love, making it his sole reason for enduring the emotional coldness of an unforgiving reality. [*Within TXT's discography-based narrative, the term 'boys' or 'boy' represents the TXT members while also serving as generalized protagonists to convey the broader experiences of youth. While 'you' is intentionally kept broad, allowing for various interpretations of the relationship whether it be platonic, romantic, fan-artist, or another dynamic.]

Helpful Context (Album Summary: The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT OR ESCAPE): ‘The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT OR ESCAPE’ a repackage of 'FREEZE,' expands on the themes of the previous album, where the boy* faced emotional coldness and isolation after the collapse of his peaceful world. In 'FREEZE,' he found refuge and meaning in 'you,'* who became his sole anchor in the chaos. In 'FIGHT OR ESCAPE', having experienced the transformative power of love, the boy now faces a new internal struggle. With love as his driving force, he must decide whether to fight against the chaos or escape in pursuit of love. The repackage introduces new tracks that explore this tension, capturing the ongoing battle between confronting adversity and seeking solace in connection. [*Within TXT's discography-based narrative, the term 'boys' or 'boy' represents the TXT members while also serving as generalized protagonists to convey the broader experiences of youth. While 'you' is intentionally kept broad, allowing for various interpretations of the relationship whether it be platonic, romantic, fan-artist, or another dynamic.]