Meaning “Licorice” aespa: Lyric, Quotes

aespa – Licorice : That Irresistible, Confusing, Can’t-Live-Without-It Pull

Diving Deep into aespa’s ‘Licorice’: What’s That Sticky Feeling All About?

Hey! So, have you ever had a feeling about someone that just… didn’t make sense? Like, maybe they weren’t your usual “type,” or the whole situation felt kinda weird, almost annoying, but you just couldn’t shake it? That’s exactly the vibe aespa nails in their track “Licorice.” It’s such a fascinating song because it taps into that confusing, magnetic pull that’s hard to define but totally consumes you.

Let’s just jump right into it. The song literally starts by comparing this person, this feeling, to licorice. Now, think about licorice candy. It’s not like chocolate or strawberry, right? It has a really distinct, strong, kinda polarizing flavor. Some people absolutely love it, others can’t stand it. It can be sweet, but also has this almost bitter or spicy edge. It’s complex! And that’s the perfect metaphor for this attraction aespa’s singing about.

The ‘Huh?’ Moment: Not Your Usual Crush

Right off the bat, the lyrics tell us this isn’t straightforward. “Really not like that / Really, really not like that (Woo, oh) / 이건 뭐랄까 정말 낯선 느낌, yeah” (Igeon mworalkka jeongmal natseon neukkim, yeah). That translates to something like, “What is this? It’s a really unfamiliar feeling, yeah.” It’s that moment of self-questioning. You see this person, maybe do something a bit “silly,” and they’re constantly on your mind (“널 보고 있어 또 silly (Silly) / 생각이 나 no kidding (Kidding)” – Neol bogo isseo tto silly / Saenggagi na no kidding).

It even gets to the point where it’s frustrating! “대체, what? / 괜히 그냥 짜증나 (Yeah, yeah)” (Daeche, what? / Gwaenhi geunyang jjajeungna). Like, “Seriously, what? / I’m just getting annoyed for no reason.” Ever felt that? When an attraction pops up out of nowhere and disrupts your peace? It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t expected. The song calls it an “unexpected accident-like crush”: “전혀 다른 type 전에 없던 stuff / 예상도 못 한 사고처럼 crush (Like, like, like)” (Jeonhyeo dareun type jeone eopdeon stuff / Yesangdo mot han sagocheoreom crush). It hits you out of the blue!

Sweet, Sour, and Utterly Addictive

Here’s where the licorice metaphor really shines. “It tastes so sweet but sour / Oh, sugar and spice / 처음이야 이런 / 내 감정의 폭” (Cheoeumiya ireon / Nae gamjeongui pok). It’s the first time feeling such a range, such a depth of emotion. It’s got the sweetness of attraction, but also that sour, confusing, maybe even slightly dangerous edge. It’s a mix, just like licorice can be.

And just like a treat you know might be a bit much but you keep reaching for, this feeling is addictive. “자꾸 손이 가 like licorice” (Jakku soni ga like licorice) – “I keep reaching for it like licorice.” And later, “자꾸 떠올라 like licorice” (Jakku tteoolla like licorice) – “You keep popping into my head like licorice.” It’s this compulsive thing. You turn away, then immediately turn back, completely mesmerized: “뒤를 돌아선 그 순간부터 / 홀린 것처럼 다시 돌아서” (Dwireul doraseon geu sunganbuteo / Hollin geotcheoreom dasi doraseo).

The song describes it as intensely captivating, almost explosive. “It’s the bomb like that / It’s the, it’s the bomb like that / 한 번 터지면 sticky, sticky” (Han beon teojimyeon sticky, sticky). Once it goes off, it clings to you. You’re hooked, caught in a trap: “Oh my god 방심한 틈 난 / Hooked 덫에 걸려들어” (Oh my god bangsimhan teum nan / Hooked deoche geollyeodeureo). It makes everything else seem dull in comparison: “소름 돋는 thrill 뭔가 색달라 / 다른 건 재미없어 시시해” (Soreum dotneun thrill mwon-ga saekdalla / Dareun geon jaemieopseo sisihae) – “It’s a goosebump-inducing thrill, something different / Other things are boring and lame.”

Embracing the Overwhelming Chaos

One of the most relatable parts? The sheer confusion and lack of control. “이런 내 모습 이런 내 맘이 / 나도 이해가 안 되지” (Ireon nae moseup ireon nae mami / Nado ihaega an doeji). “This side of me, these feelings / Even I don’t understand them.” It’s like your own mind and heart are doing something you can’t quite grasp. It feels inevitable, powerful, like gravity: “피할 수 없어 / 이건 gravity (Ah, ah, ah)” (Pihal su eopseo / Igeon gravity). You just can’t escape its pull.

There’s an awareness of the intensity, maybe even the risk (“아찔한 dynamite / 알지만 못 참아” – Ajjilhan dynamite / Aljiman mot chama – “Dizzying dynamite / I know, but I can’t stand it”), but the feeling is too strong to resist. It feels like something inside is “broken” (“어딘가 어딘가 / 고장 났어” – Eodin-ga eodin-ga / Gojang nasseo) because it’s so overwhelming and illogical, and it just keeps spreading (“더 크게 더 크게 / 번져가” – Deo keuge deo keuge / Beonjyeoga).

The ultimate message? It seems to be about acknowledging and even leaning into this powerful, confusing, maybe slightly dangerous attraction. The “Scream and shout / 훅 끌리는 맘 / 위험해도 좋아 / 널 못 놓겠어” (Scream and shout / Huk kkeullineun mam / Wiheomhaedo joa / Neol mot nokgesseo) chorus line really says it all: “Scream and shout / This heart that’s instantly drawn / It’s okay even if it’s dangerous / I can’t let you go.” It’s about that moment you stop fighting the weird, unexpected feeling and just admit: okay, this is happening. This is intense. And I’m kinda here for it, even if I don’t fully get why.

It’s a brilliant portrayal of those messy, complicated attractions that aren’t simple or sweet, but have a unique, unforgettable, and utterly magnetic pull – just like licorice.

‘Licorice’ Life Lessons: Inspirational Quotes from the aespa Track

Okay, so we’ve chatted about the whirlwind romance vibes in “Licorice,” right? But sometimes, lyrics can hit differently depending on how you look at them. Hidden within that story of confusing attraction, there are some lines that kinda work as cool little snippets of life advice or relatable thoughts. Let’s pull out a few and see what inspiration we can find!

Embracing the Unexpected Crash

(Yesangdo mot han sagocheoreom crush)

This line literally translates to “like an unexpected accident, crush.” In the song, it’s about falling for someone unexpectedly. But think about life! How often do the best things – opportunities, friendships, ideas – crash into our lives when we least expect them? This quote is a great reminder to be open to the unexpected. Sometimes, the ‘accidents’ or detours lead us down the most exciting paths. Don’t be afraid when things don’t go according to plan; sometimes, that’s where the magic happens. It encourages embracing spontaneity and seeing the potential in unforeseen events.

The Beauty of Sweet & Sour

While this describes the confusing nature of the attraction, it’s also a perfect metaphor for life itself, isn’t it? Life isn’t always just sweet. It has its sour moments, its challenging times, its spicy bits that test us. This line reminds us that complexity is normal, even beautiful. Accepting the mix – the good with the bad, the easy with the tough – is part of the human experience. It suggests finding appreciation in the full spectrum of feelings and situations, rather than expecting constant sweetness. That blend is what makes things interesting and meaningful.

Passion Over Prudence?

(Scream and shout / Huk kkeullineun mam / Wiheomhaedo joa / Neol mot nokgesseo)

Okay, context is key – in the song, it’s intense romantic draw. But pull back a bit. This speaks to passion. “This heart that’s instantly drawn / It’s okay even if it’s dangerous / I can’t let you go.” Sometimes, there are things we feel incredibly passionate about – a dream, a project, a cause – that might seem risky or unconventional to others. This line captures that feeling of being so drawn to something that you’re willing to face the challenges. It’s about acknowledging the risks but choosing to follow that powerful inner pull anyway. It champions pursuing what truly excites you, even when it’s daunting. Of course, maybe check the actual danger level in real life first, haha!

Accepting Your Inner Gravity

(Ireon nae moseup ireon nae mami / Nado ihaega an doeji / Pihal su eopseo / Igeon gravity)

“This side of me, these feelings / Even I don’t understand them / Can’t avoid it / It’s gravity.” Wow, this is deep! We all have parts of ourselves, feelings, or reactions that we don’t fully understand. Maybe it’s an irrational fear, a sudden burst of creativity, or a personality quirk. This quote is about acceptance. It acknowledges that we don’t always need to perfectly understand every single facet of ourselves. Some things are just fundamental parts of who we are, like an internal gravity. Trying to fight them might be futile. Instead, maybe the path is to accept them, acknowledge their power, and learn to live with them, or even harness them. It’s a call for self-acceptance, even of the confusing parts.

So yeah, even in a song about a bewildering crush, aespa drops these lines that feel pretty profound when you think about them. It’s cool how music can do that, right? It can tell a specific story but also offer these little gems that resonate on a totally different level.

What do you think? Did any other lines from “Licorice” jump out at you? Or do you interpret these lyrics differently? It’s always fascinating to hear other perspectives, maybe you caught a meaning I missed! Let’s discuss!