Swaggers Made in USA

myunDo – Me N My Gimchi (Feat. Reefa)

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 18-21

Here are our translators’ notes for episodes 18-21, the final ones of AKATV’s web series Swaggers Made in USA.

In these four episodes, we see what happened when the winner Superbee was to record his solo song, how well the Swaggers know English, what actually happened when Jung Sangsoo and Superbee fought, and finally, love (?) is in the air …

Subtitle Credits Episodes 18-21
Translations, Timing, Edit: Lena
Translation Check: Nahae
Quality Check: Lena, Nahae

We hope you had as much fun watching as we had subtitling it. Many thanks to everyone who watched and supported the show! Now make sure to look out for Rapper Car — the next guest is Microdot!

[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h1″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Episodes and Translators’ Notes[/x_custom_headline]

Episode 18: Drunken Superbee

https://youtu.be/gVfdHeNgdXA

Superbee’s solo track is titled ‘Me N My Gimchi (feat. Reefa)‘ and you can find it on the single ‘Swaggers Made In USA‘ which also includes a track by all the four participants, titled ‘Swaggers‘.

Episode 19: Behind Story 1

https://youtu.be/VX3_7UaCL_0

Episode 20: Behind Story 2

https://youtu.be/pgQODNJO9aY

When Jung Sangsoo parts ways with the other three to find the hotel on his own, the Korean on-screen text describes him as: “Busan rapper who prefers independence.”
When they are unhappy and want to return to the club, the Korean on-screen texts reads for Tarae: “Rapper who wants to take a taxi to the club.” And for Jung Sangsoo: “Rapper who wants to join him and go.”
In the end, myunDo is subtitled as “popular on Facebook,” and Superbee as “expert in dissing.”

Episode 21: Final Episode

https://youtu.be/MjLZanMLRTk

This final episode jokingly demonstrates the crème de la crème of ‘evil editing‘. Since the Korean language does not makes use of pronouns that often, it is super easy to cut parts of sentences together to make them sound like one, for example: “Even if Superbee doesn’t like me / I love him!” Please note that the subtitles were translated accordingly (to the ‘evil editing’) but do not represent what was actually said since the sentences were taken out of context. For example, “I love him” is literally “I love” (without the object) so the pronoun was added as seen fit while Jung Sangsoo could have actually said something else like, “I love food.”
The music playing in the background during Jung Sangsoo and Superbee’s “first meeting” is ‘She Is’ by Classiquai Project off their album ‘Love Mode‘. The track is a famous BGM for scenes where hidden, sometimes “forbidden,” romantic feelings arise between two people, often of the same sex.
Here are the some of the comments by the user ‘끼야홋’ who the video was dedicated to:
1. You’re really dragging out the scenes
2. It’s Friday, why only 7 minutes ;;
3. Make the next episode 20 minutes please ..
4. If it’s a show it should be 30 minutes or at least 10. Are you doing as you please? All other entertainment shows air for one hour every week, but this is completely random, what are 4 minutes 50 seconds -.- Create the videos with a set time -.- Doing as y’all please
5. lol Sangsoo-hyung is super charming, really cute
6. So Sangsoo-hyung has a sincere side to him as well .. I’ll support Sangsoo-hyung!
7. How on earth was he good? He’s just imitating Beenzino. I hope he’ll find his own style. myunDo’s delivery was bad too, all I heard was Shinsaimdang lol
8. lol wow, watching this series I’ve fallen for Sangsoo-hyung .. he is sincere .. I had no idea he was such a good person

If you like Swaggers Made in USA, also check out AKATV’s other web series, Rapper Car! The first two episodes with Olltii, the second two with MC Sniper, the third two with Phantom’s Hanhae, and the fourth two with KittiB, and the fifth two with Kisum are now available with English subtitles.

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 14-17

Here are our translators’ notes for episodes 14-17 of AKATV’s web series Swaggers Made in USA.

In these four episodes, all performances end and the overall winner is revealed. Afterwards, the Swaggers visit a strip club and explore downtown Atlanta.

Subtitle Credits Episodes 14-17
Translations, Timing, Edit: Lena
Translation Check: Nahae
Quality Check: Lena, Nahae

The subtitles for the final batch of episodes is currently in the making and we hope you can be patient — you surely wouldn’t want to miss the fun that the final four episodes are!

[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h1″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Episodes and Translators’ Notes[/x_custom_headline]

Episode 14: 2nd Performance

https://youtu.be/EC2NbLIAp4o

When Superbee says that his ears are telling him that they like JBo, the Korean on-screen text reads: “He can converse with his body.”
In this 2nd round, Sangsoo performs ‘부산을 대표해‘ (Represent Busan). The on-screen text describes him a “truly passionate man.”
Sangsoo’s secon track is ‘절대 안놓쳐’ (Never Letting Go) off his EP ‘Color Glasses‘.
In case it wasn’t clear, after Sangsoo’s performance, Tarae imitates him.
Note: We do know that Tarae did not actually leave the venue, only the stage, but that is what the Korean on-screen text says so we kept it as is for the sake of tension (?).

Episode 15: 2nd Performance

https://youtu.be/6Sam3BcZxWw

The song Tarae performs is an unreleased track called ‘착한놈’ (Nice Guy) which is supposedly going to be part of his upcoming mixtape. You can watch the full performance here. The track appears several times throughout the episodes, for example when Tarae rapped at allkpop or in episode 17 as he drives off to buy breakfast.
Some explanations for Tarae’s lyrics:
1. “13 years of rap, I stalk her, crazy obsession” — The “her” refers to hiphop.
2. “I apologize and develop like Steve Jobs” — The Korean word for “apologize” (사과하다, sagwahada) can literally be understood as “do/make/create an apple” which obviously refers to Apple.
Note: Just felt like pointing out that during the performances, Jung Sangsoo is always standing and being supportive.
Superbee performs ‘아빠차‘ (Dad’s Car or Daddy’s Car –we used the shorter version for the subtitles– also titled ‘APPA CAR’).
‘오빠차‘ (Oppa’s Car) is Incredivle’s version of the song. He was chosen by Tablo & JINUSEAN over Superbee on SMTM which is why Superbee calls them ‘thieves’. He let out his anger towards them amongst others in the song ‘냉탕에 상어‘ (Shark in the Cold Pool — here is the full translation).

Episode 16: Strip Club

https://youtu.be/0ruI7Zw-e5Y

The part where Jung Sangsoo is shown having fun in the strip club and there is text on screen and someone speaks, that is part of the song ‘킬리만자로의 표범’ (Leopard of Mt. Kilimanjaro) by Cho Yong-pil off his eigth album. The actual lyrics (what is being spoken) go: “Have you ever seen a hyena hanging around the foot of a mountain to find prey? / A hyena at the foot of a mountain that only wants the rotten meat of beasts / I do not want to be a hyena but a leopard”
When Jung Sangsoo asks woman who are interested in him to contact him, the Korean on-screen text reads: “public proposal“

Episode 17: Atlanta Downtown

https://youtu.be/YHuNDlAta-8

When Superbee lowers his pants, the Korean on-screen text actually says: “As expected, hiphop (style) pants should look like you shit in them”
The song Jung Sangsoo performs in the street is ‘명사수’ (Sharpshooter) off his EP ‘Color Glasses‘.
Just a note: Remember how they said in the beginning that if one of them runs out of money he will be on his own? Now Superbee is offering to help out Tarae. :)

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 11-13

Episodes 11-13 of AKATV’s web series Swaggers Made in USA are finally available with English subtitles. Read on for the links and all the background information!

In these three new episodes, the first round of performances ends and the winner is revealed. Superbee and Sangsoo have a fall-out and finally, the Swaggers go to Grand Hustle Records to meet T.I. …

Subtitle Credits Episodes 11-13
Translations, Timing, Edit: Lena
Translation Check: Nahae
Quality Check: Lena, Nahae

New episodes with English subtitles are usually released every Wednesday, we apologize for being so late this time. The next batch of episodes are 14-17 and they will be up on YouTube on Wednesday but the subtitles will take a bit longer. We hope for your understanding.

[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h1″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Episodes and Translators’ Notes[/x_custom_headline]

Episode 11: 1st Performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH8RO4iBis0

When Superbee says that having a cold doesn’t influence his rap, the Korean on-screen text describes him as “man who attacks Tarae.”
After Tarae’s performance, Superbee is described as “dongsaeng who is embarrassed of Tarae-hyung.”
Sangsoo performs his latest single ‘Hiphop Style Rap‘ — here are some notes on the lyrics:
1. The lyrics say “ZAP” which I translated as “jab” since ‘zap’ has all kinds of strange meanings in English. In Korean, it is a term used in video games and means to attack or to hit.
2. The “I tap to the next level” part might refer to the game Tap Heroes.
3. “The map of my life gets broader by day” — Think of video games where you uncover the map as you go along.
4. DEUX (듀스) – Time 2 Wreck (with Ness)
5. Wu-Tang Clan – Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)
6. stim pack — another video game term referring to a type of items that increases a game character’s abilities.
As Superbee comments on Sangsoo’s performance, he is described by the Korean on-screen text as “1 person who found Sangsoo-hyung’s rap funny,” Tarae as “the man who uses the same room,” and Sangsoo as “1 person who is satisfied with his performance.”
Some notes on Superbee’s lyrics:
1. He likes to refer to his hair as “mop head” or “broom head.”
2. Superbee obviously does not say “google,” he literally says that people search on “Naver.”
3. The word translated as “left-overs” is another video game term (some Korean rappers love to use these). It refers to enemies (other players or monsters) that a player missed during a fight against a group of enemies because they walked away out of sight and are thus “left over” and after finishing off most of the enemies, the player goes after the “left-overs” to kill them off as well.
4. “I’m not a cap but they call me the best” is a pun on the word cap (a type of hat) and ‘캡’ (read: cap) which is a slightly older colloquial term meaning “the best.” It is said to have originated from “captain.” Sangsoo used it in his lyrics as well: “I’m the best at this type of rap”
After his performance, Superbee is described as “1 person who wants to be recognized,” and myunDo as “a friend who envies Superbee.” Then, Superbee is described as “guy who is popular in Atlanta,” Jung Sangsoo as “man who did not find Superbee’s performance that great.”

Episode 12: Drunken Sangsoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FESoR7wlrx0

Throughout the episode, Tarae keeps talking in Gyeongsang dialect with Jung Sangsoo, although Tarae is from Suwon where the dialect is not spoken.
When Tarae tells Sangsoo not to drink and cuss again, he refers to the incident on SMTM3 where Sangsoo did exactly that.
As Jung Sangsoo tells Superbee to follow him outside, staff members also follow out of worry, but Sangsoo tells them that it’s okay and that they can go back.

Episode 13: Grand Hustle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ_Ltoqw0ZA

As they sit in the car with the food, Jung Sangsoo suggests to eat in the car and says: “If we go back, they’ll want our food.” Food sharing is common in Korean culture which is due to several cultural aspects like community or the value of food.
After having made up, Superbee and Jung Sangsoo eat together in peace. Here, Sangsoo uses Gyeongsang dialect as he speaks which indicates that he feels comfortable.
Jung Sangsoo suggest that the Swaggers will meet Korean rapper Crown J.
When asked what they want to say to T.I., Sangsoo uses banmal (familiar speech).
Superbee and myunDo’s song is ‘좌! (Jwa!)‘.
myunDo makes a “be quiet” gesture and says “Shh!” because they lyrics at that part are about being quiet.
Sangsoo performs his latest single ‘Hiphop Style Rap‘ again.
Tarae’s track seems to be another unreleased one, it’s the same he performed at the club. It’s probably called ‘뭣도 모르면서’ (which roughly translates to “You know nothing” or “You know shit”).

If you like Swaggers Made in USA, also check out AKATV’s other web series, Rapper Car! The first two episodes with Olltii, the second two with MC Sniper and the third two with Phantom’s Hanhae are now available with English subtitles.

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 08-10

Episodes 08-10 of AKATV’s web series Swaggers Made in USA are available with English subtitles. Read on for the links and all the background information!

In these three new episodes, the Swaggers visit the producers that are going to offer their beats to the winner. They are Major Seven who produced for example ‘The Devil Is A Lie‘, “Dow Jones” and “Henny” of Tha Bizness who produced amongst others for Chris Brown and R.Kelly, and JBo of Ear Drummer Records. Then, the Swaggers’ first competition starts with myunDo being the first to perform …

Subtitle Credits Episodes 08-10
Translations, Timing, Edit: Lena
Translation Check: Nahae
Quality Check: Lena, Nahae

New episodes with English subtitles are released every Wednesday.

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Episode 08: Major Seven

https://youtu.be/sQHUajeZET4

Whenever the on-screen text expresses Sangsoo’s “thoughts” or speaks for him, it is in Busan dialect since Sangsoo is from Busan.
When Sangsoo performs first, his lyrics are the same from episode 04, like myunDo notices.
On his second try, Sangsoo performs lyrics off his latest single ‘Hiphop Style Rap‘.
Tarae raps lyrics from his track ‘Steve Blass Syndrome‘.
On his third try, Sangsoo raps part of his track ‘부산을 대표해 (Represent Busan)‘.
Superbee raps lyrics from ‘Hot Gimchi‘.

Episode 09: Tha Bizness & EarDrummer JBo

https://youtu.be/SGVeBmulwUA

It is very funny how the producers and cameramen all try to scare Superbee and Tarae by playing on prejudices, they clearly are not being serious so do not take it the wrong way. The Korean on-screen text describes Superbee as “scared SUPER Baby”.
To be exact, Tha Bizness is a producer team made up of “Henny” and “Dow Jones,” who is the one doing the talking.
Tarae’s ‘Driver‘ has still not been released.
Superbee plays ‘냉탕에 상어 (Shark in the Cold Pool) (Feat. Black Nut)’. Go here for the full lyrics translation and lyric video.
Sangsoo’s track is ‘Hiphop Style Rap‘ (he also raps its lyrics at JBo’s studio).
myunDo’s track is Hottest MCs’ Rockin’ With The Fresh (Rockin’ With The Best Remix) off their mixtape ‘나쁜 김치 둘 (Two Bad Gimchis) Vol.1′.

Episode 10: First Performance

https://youtu.be/HoJ7_p6IwkI

Opinion: on the first watch, I thought that they were being pretty biased, feeling uncomfortable in that club full of African Americans. After consideration however, I have found that maybe the reason why they are all so nervous at that club is because for Koreans: African Americans = (original) hiphop. All of the four contestants know the history of hiphop and its origins, and it has been an important topic in the Korean hiphop scene to distinguish Korean hiphop from its “original.” What I mean to say is that they must have felt like amateur soccer players on the field being watched by people like Messi and Ronaldo–super intimidated and nervous. The way I see it, it is not a problem of stereotypes or being biased but more a question of awe and respect. Also, it is only natural that they are nervous and uncomfortable in those new surroundings and situation.
While Superbee and Tarae say how they are nervous, the Korean on-screen texts describe them as “scaredy-cat 1″ and “scaredy-cat 2,” while Sangsoo who is mingling with the crowd is described as “Korean Afro American” since he fits right in.
Before myunDo performs, we see a flashback of how the contestants met and Tarae says, “I didn’t know him.” To be exact, he says, “I couldn’t know him,” and probably means to imply that myunDo was not shown on TV in SMTM and that Tarae never had a chance to meet him in person or otherwise find out what he looks like.
myunDo performs ‘신사임당 (Shin Saimdang)’. (Please excuse the mistake, it should be “Shin Saimdang” and not “Shinsaimdang” as written in the subtitles.) You can rewatch the performance here. Shin Saimdang is shown on the 50,000 won bill, which is the highest won bill available. So the song is basically about money, as clear from the lyrics.

If you like Swaggers Made in USA, also check out AKATV’s other web series, Rapper Car! The first two episodes with Olltii as well as the second two with MC Sniper are now available with English subtitles.

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 05-07

The next three episodes of Swaggers Made in USA are available with English subtitles. Read on for the links and all the background information!

In these three new episodes, the Swaggers visit murals of The Notorious B.I.G in Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty, and travel on to Atlanta. myunDo responds to plagiarism accusations, Superbee shows off the love he’s getting from fans, Tarae reveals one of his weaknesses, and Jung Sangsoo is hit on by an American girl. You also get to listen in on Tarae and Sangsoo’s conversation about the harsh reality of being a 33-year-old rapper, whose honest and straightforward depiction moved us while translating.

Subtitle Credits Episodes 05-07
Translations: Nahae
Timing, Edit: Lena
Quality Check: Lena, Nahae

The following batch of episodes with English subtitles will be released next Wednesday (23rd).
We recommend you to watch the episodes on YouTube, the links are below.

[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h1″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Episode Links and Translators’ Notes[/x_custom_headline]

Episode 05: The Notorious B.I.G

This episode addresses several stereotypes of the USA and African Americans. First, the taxi driver talks about guns, then the overall atmosphere and most likely things they have heard beforehand about Brooklyn scare the Swaggers. When they walk around the neighborhood, Superbee says he is convinced that it is more like the “real” US. It seems as if the show is poking fun of the Swaggers who are all scared about the whole thing. Although this is probably used as a means to make the episode more dramatic, we would like to point out that these are stereotypes, not an accurate representation of reality. We can see how some of these stereotypes are challenged when the Swaggers have fun with the friendly “Brooklyn hyungs.”
The men who gather at the Biggie mural are described as “Brooklyn hyungs.” The Korean word ‘hyung’ (형, hyeong) is basically used by men to refer to older brothers or unrelated men older than themselves. It implies a closeness and/or friendliness, as in this case where “Brooklyn hyungs” can be interpreted as friendly and nice Brooklyn people.
Jung Sangsoo says that the atmosphere in Brooklyn with the “Brooklyn hyungs” was similar to that of the Korean countryside where elder people gather, drink, dance and sing. When you think about it, most cultures have this, and it is a nice observation.
When you turn up the volume on your device to the max, you can actually hear the girl say “You are so cute” to Sangsoo.
During his antics, the Korean subtitles describe Sangsoo first as “The man who is cute in the USA,” then as “The cute guy who wants to pick up girls” and Tarae as “The man who cannot believe Sangsoo.”
Although irrelevant, I had to mention this: the “You are so cute” scene is by far my most favorite so far. Huge shout-out to the girl who called him cute.

Episode 06: The Statue of Liberty

Thoughts on the plagiarism issue: first of all, in my opinion it is normal for a rapper to listen to others and be influenced, knowingly or unknowingly. Secondly, it is a known fact that Beenzino has been a fan of Verbal Jint, so Beenzino has most likely been influenced by VJ and does sound similar in some ways. Therefore, it is no wonder that if myunDo’s rap sounds like either one of them, it also sounds like the other one. And yes, I do find that myunDo’s rap in that song sounds similar to all three rappers mentioned, but I surely would not call it plagiarism. It is rather lack of individuality and I suppose that it is a normal phenomenon on a rapper’s way to find their own style. It’s like painting, at first you copy the masters until you have mastered the art yourself, then you start creating your own thing.
On their way to the boat, Sangsoo is joking: “Oh damn, Paldang Dam, Chungju Dam.” Both are names of dams in South Korea. It’s a simple wordplay, the joke has been priorly used by SHINee on Hello Baby, and by Eddy Kim in his song ‘Paldang Dam (feat. Beenzino)‘. Sangsoo apologizes to Superbee for the lame joke and says “You’re laughing in disbelief,” thinking that Superbee is laughing because the joke was so lame and not because he found it funny.
When myunDo is riding the helicopter, the music playing in the background is Superbee’s ‘좌! Jwa! (feat. myunDo)‘.

Episode 07: Atlanta

When Tarae talks about how much money they spent on the rental car, the Korean subtitles describe him as “One person who regrets renting a car.”
Several Korean musicians have mentioned their phone number in songs before, like Zion.T and Evo. Zion.T however has changed his number one week after, unlike Superbee.
“They see me scrollin, they hatin~” Superbee’s message count says “999,” it might even be more but the app probably cannot display four-digit numbers.
The ‘status texts’ while Sangsoo tries to buy a can of Coke are very much in the style of Pokémon or similar games.
When myunDo says, “Cheese cheetos are really delicious,” the Korean subtitles show the image of a dog. This is because the word ‘kae’ (개), which means ‘dog’, is used as intensifier in colloquial Korean. Here, we translated it as “really,” but depending on the situation it could also be translated as: super, duper, f*cking, damn, etc.
“Unexpected charm” is an expression for a person who is charming because there is something unexpected about them. For example, you get to know someone who wears hiphop style clothes but then you find out they like country music.
I really like the conversation between Sangsoo and Tarae. It displays parts of the human condition in general and also very specifically the problems of the Korean hiphop scene and SMTM. (Lena) I’ve never seen that side of Sangsoo or Tarae, and it was humbling in a sense to see them open up. (Nahae)

If you like Swaggers Made in USA, also check out AKATV’s other web series, Rapper Car! The first two episodes with Olltii are now available with English subtitles.

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 01-04

Swaggers Made in USA is a new web series by AKATV featuring former SMTM participants Jung Sangsoo, Tarae, myunDo, and Superbee. We at Hiphop Korea are creating the subtitles for the series and will be telling you everything you need to know and more about each episode.

myunDo – Me N My Gimchi (Feat. Reefa)

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 18-21

Episode 18: Drunken Superbee

Episode 19: Behind Story 1

Episode 20: Behind Story 2

Episode 21: Final Episode

[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 14-17

Episode 14: 2nd Performance

Episode 15: 2nd Performance

Episode 16: Strip Club

Episode 17: Atlanta Downtown

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[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 11-13

Episode 11: 1st Performance

Episode 12: Drunken Sangsoo

Episode 13: Grand Hustle

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[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 08-10

Episode 08: Major Seven

Episode 09: Tha Bizness & EarDrummer JBo

Episode 10: First Performance

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[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 05-07

Episode 05: The Notorious B.I.G

Episode 06: The Statue of Liberty

Episode 07: Atlanta

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[Translators’ Notes] Swaggers Made in USA 01-04