TWICE – ENEMY. Lyrics & Meaning

TWICE – ENEMY : Breaking Free From Your Inner Critic

Ever look in the mirror and feel like a stranger is staring back at you? That feeling when the pressure to be perfect, to fit into a certain mold, becomes so heavy that you start to lose sight of who you really are. It’s a suffocating feeling, like you’re fighting a battle no one else can see. Well, what if that internal struggle had a soundtrack? TWICE’s phenomenal Japanese B-side, “ENEMY,” isn’t just a song; it’s a full-blown battle cry for anyone who’s ever felt this way. Let’s dive deep into the story it tells, because it’s way more than just a catchy tune.

The Emotional Battlefield in TWICE’s “ENEMY”

The song kicks off immediately with a sense of conflict. There’s no gentle introduction; we’re thrown right into the middle of the fight. The lyrics paint a picture of someone being pushed to their emotional limit, feeling completely fractured on the inside. You can almost feel the frustration and confusion.

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Kanpeki janakya ayy-yeah

If I’m not perfect, ayy-yeah

Dame da to iu no?

Are you saying that’s not good enough?

Oof. That’s a heavy question. It’s the voice of every self-doubt we’ve ever had. This pressure for perfection is so intense that when they look in the mirror, the reflection feels alien—a “style” that isn’t their own. This isn’t just about appearance; it’s about their very identity being warped. They describe a feeling of being trapped in a cycle with “no future and no end,” leaving a permanent scar, an “indelible bruise” on their heart. It’s the terrifying realization that in trying to please this ‘enemy’, they’re about to lose themselves completely.

Who is the Real Enemy?

At first, you might think the “enemy” is an external critic—a hater, a demanding boss, or society’s impossible standards. And while those things are part of it, the song brilliantly portrays how that external pressure gets internalized. The harshest critic, the true enemy, becomes the voice inside your own head repeating those negative words.

The Breaking Point and the Rise of Defiance

This is where the song’s energy completely shifts. The pre-chorus is the turning point. It’s that moment where you’ve taken enough. You’re done being a passive victim of these harsh words. The lyrics convey this raw, simmering anger.

I’m going crazy, hidui words ni

I’m going crazy, from these cruel words

Nani mo ienaku natte

I’m becoming speechless

But this speechlessness isn’t weakness. It’s the quiet before the storm. It’s immediately followed by a powerful declaration: “No one can break me, don’t try to test me.” This is the moment they find their voice again. The chorus explodes like a declaration of war against that inner critic. It’s not about ignoring the pain; it’s about using it as fuel.

Kizu o daite rising up

Embracing my scars and rising up

Namida tsubushi burning up

Crushing my tears and burning up

This imagery is so powerful! They aren’t hiding their wounds; they’re embracing them as a source of strength. They’re “crushing” their tears, turning sorrow into fiery determination. The repeated chant of “Break the enemy” isn’t just a lyric; it feels like an incantation of power. And the final line of the chorus seals the deal:

Watashi wa nigenai

I won’t run away

External Pressures and the Internal Glow

The second verse zooms out a bit, acknowledging the outside world. It touches on the suffocating feeling of public scrutiny—the “stinging gazes” and the pressure of always needing to present a “new scene.” It feels like being trapped in a frame you desperately want to shatter. It’s a world where even a flower “can’t bloom without shaking.”

But here’s the beautiful twist. Instead of succumbing, they decide to endure and “glow” in their own way. They find strength not by becoming what others want, but by being defiantly themselves. This leads to one of the most clever lines in the song: “So I’m gonna be, everyone’s wannabe.” It’s a confident, almost sarcastic flip of the script. They’re no longer seeking approval; they’re becoming a standard of their own, someone to be emulated for their authenticity.

The Moment of Epiphany

The bridge of the song is the ultimate breakthrough. It’s a moment of quiet clarity amidst the chaos. The frantic energy calms down, and we get a pure moment of self-realization.

(Now I know, I have the key)

I don’t wanna see me cry

(Keep it my heart eternally)

On and on and on I try, yeah

The key isn’t some external solution. The key was inside them all along. It’s the decision to stop the self-destruction, to trust themselves, and to break free. They acknowledge their fear and weakness but decide to erase them by trusting in their own strength. It’s a powerful and incredibly moving conclusion to their internal battle.

The ultimate message of “ENEMY” is one of profound resilience and self-love. It teaches us that the most significant battles we fight are often within ourselves. The scars we collect from criticism and self-doubt don’t have to be marks of shame. Instead, they can be symbols of the fights we’ve survived. The song is a reminder to embrace your imperfections, to use your pain as fuel, and to never, ever run away from the person you are. The real victory is breaking free from the prison of your own inner critic.

What an incredible journey this song takes us on, right? It’s a B-side that hits with the force of a title track. I’d love to hear how you interpret it! Did you see the “enemy” as someone or something else? Let’s chat about it!