Twenty-Three by IU Lyrics Meaning – The Identity Crucible at the Cusp of Adulthood
Lyrics
뭐게요 맞혀봐요
I’m twenty three 틀리지 말기 because
난 몹시 예민해요
맞혀봐
한 떨기 스물셋 좀
아가씨 태가 나네
다 큰 척해도 적당히 믿어줘요
얄미운 스물셋
아직 한참 멀었다 얘
덜 자란 척해도 대충 속아줘요
난, 그래 확실히 지금이 좋아요
아냐, 아냐 사실은 때려 치고 싶어요
아 알겠어요 난 사랑이 하고 싶어
아니 돈이나 많이 벌래
맞혀봐
어느 쪽이게?
얼굴만 보면 몰라
속마음과 다른 표정을 짓는 일
아주 간단하거든 (어느 쪽이게?)
사실은 나도 몰라
애초에 나는 단 한 줄의
거짓말도 쓴 적이 없거든
여우인 척, 하는 곰인 척, 하는 여우 아니면
아예 다른 거
어느 쪽이게?
뭐든 한 쪽을 골라
색안경 안에 비춰지는 거 뭐 이제 익숙하거든
Check it out
겁나는 게 없어요
엉망으로 굴어도
사람들은 내게 매일 친절해요
인사하는 저 여자
모퉁이를 돌고도 아직 웃고 있을까
늘 불안해요
난, 영원히 아이로 남고 싶어요
아니, 아니 물기 있는 여자가 될래요
아 정했어요 난 죽은 듯이 살래요
아냐, 다 뒤집어 볼래
맞혀봐
어느 쪽이게?
얼굴만 보면 몰라
속마음과 다른 표정을 짓는 일
아주 간단하거든 (어느 쪽이게?)
사실은 나도 몰라
애초에 나는 단 한 줄의
거짓말도 쓴 적이 없거든
여우인 척 (여우인 척), 하는 곰인 척 (곰인 척),
하는 여우 아니면 (여우 아니면) 아예 다른 거
어느 쪽이게?
뭐든 한 쪽을 골라
색안경 안에 비춰지는 거 뭐 이제 익숙하거든
난 당신 맘에 들고 싶어요
아주 살짝만 얄밉게 해도 돼요?
난 당신 맘에 들고 싶어요
자기 머리 꼭대기 위에서 놀아도 돼요? 맞혀봐
어느 쪽이게?
얼굴만 보면 몰라
속마음과 다른 표정을 짓는 일
아주 간단하거든 (어느 쪽이게?)
사실은 나도 몰라
애초에 나는 단 한 줄의
거짓말도 쓴 적이 없거든
여우인 척 (여우인 척), 하는 곰인 척 (곰인 척),
하는 여우 아니면 (여우 아니면) 아예 다른 거
어느 쪽이게?
뭐든 한 쪽을 골라
색안경 안에 비춰지는 거 뭐 이제 익숙하거든
IU’s ‘Twenty-Three’ is not just a song, it’s a multifaceted diary entry set to music that encapsulates the very essence of transition. Treading the line between the carefree days of youth and the responsibilities of the impending adult world, IU delivers an anthem that resonates deeply with those grappling with their own identities and the world’s expectations of them.
The song’s playful tone belies its deeper exploration of self and society––a common thread in IU’s discography. Ostensibly about hitting the age of 23, the song delves into the juxtapositions and contradictions within one’s persona, embodying the confusion and clarity that come with growing up.
The Restless Echoes of Age: Twenty-Three Unveiled
IU’s ‘Twenty-Three’ opens with a declaration of age, immediately set as a riddle. Age, often weighed down by expectations, symbolizes much more than time passing; it represents a milestone where one is caught between the remnants of teenage years and the doorstep to full-fledged adulthood. The self-awareness in the line ‘because I’m very sensitive’ suggests a pre-emptive defense against criticism, and a recognition of personal volatility at this uncertain stage of life.
The singer invites listeners to guess what kind of person she is, illustrating the internal conflict of identity shaped by an external audience. The lyrical content is rich with duplicity: the pressure to appear grown up, while also desiring the simplicity of youth. Through this, IU communicates a larger narrative about the societal pressure to conform to roles that hardly encompass the complexity of individual growth.
Disguised Simplicity in Complexity: The Song’s Hidden Meaning
Beneath the catchy pop melody and whimsical delivery lies the song’s hidden meaning—a meditation on the facades one has to maintain. IU deftly plays with the imagery of foxes and bears, classic symbols of cunning and strength, respectively. By questioning which pretense she’s adopting, she’s highlighting that at twenty-three, her reality is veiled by the expectations and judgments reflective of her fame and gender.
IU scrutinizes the concept of authenticity, admitting to the difficulty of discerning true intentions behind constructed public facades. The song becomes a striking commentary on the perception of female artists, often subject to incessant scrutiny, where every action is seen through ‘color glasses’, tinted with bias. By rejecting the notion of picking a ‘side’, IU rejects the oversimplification of her identity.
The Playful Duality of Youthful Rebellion and Wisdom
IU weaves playful arrogance and self-deprecating irony with lines like ‘People are kind to me every day, even if I act disorderly.’ This tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of her status as a celebrated artist undercuts with an admission that fame does not exclude her from human insecurities, such as worrying about the sincerity of those around her.
The track serves as a vessel for IU to express the dichotomy of a young adult’s life. By juxtaposing wishes to remain childlike with desires to become a ‘wet woman’ or to ‘live as though dead,’ IU articulates the oscillation between defiance and acceptance of adulthood’s complexities, symbolizing the internal negotiation of one’s evolving values and the compromise between ideals and reality.
The Intricacies of Public Persona in the Spotlight
IU’s lyric ‘I want to be in your heart’ is particularly telling. It’s a candid confession of the human need for acceptance, yet she follows it with a provocation to be slightly annoying or to play at the top of one’s head, implying both a desire for genuine connection and a challenge to maintain sovereignty over the self amidst public scrutiny.
The irony is palpable as she admits to not knowing which facade she embodies, even as faces are the usual measure for guessing someone’s thoughts. It’s a subtle attack on superficial judgments and a reminder that a person’s inner complexities are rarely visible on the surface, and that the public persona may be just one of the many different roles one plays.
Memorable Lines That Echo the Millennial Dilemma
One cannot discuss ‘Twenty-Three’ without recognizing its most memorable lines: ‘I’m twenty-three, I’m a riddle (question) / Try to guess the answer.’ This line embodies the millennial quandary, representing the age as an enigma that defies a straightforward answer. With these words, IU captures the universal challenge of defining oneself amidst the chaos of expectations, desires, and societal roles.
IU has articulated a sentiment that many young adults experience but often cannot express: the uncertainty that surrounds their identity and place in the world. These lines resound with a clarion call for understanding and patience, as those at this age might still be drafting the blueprint of their lives, navigating through questions rather than living within the certainties of established answers.
