K-Pop Lyrics Explained: What Is The Meaning Of WINNER MINO's 'TANG!♡'?

YG Entertainment

Welcome to the eighth article of our series, "K-Pop Lyrics Explained" where we analyze the lyrics to some of your favourite K-Pop songs. Previous, we explained WonHo's 'Blue', WEi's 'Starry Night', Park JiHoon's 'Serious', BTS' Jin's 'Yours', SF9's 'Trauma', WonHo's 'White Miracle' and Coldplay's 'My Universe' featuring BTS.

Today, we're taking a look at WINNER member MINO's 'TANG!♡'.

Making the end of the year more special than ever, MINO has released his 3rd full-length album "TO INFINITY" with the title track 'TANG!♡'. Just like the name suggests, this song packs a punch: one of energy and zest. As is always expected with MINO, there's a fusion of genres that define this song and it is most definitely a sonic experiment. However, what makes the song even better is its lyrics!

Keep reading for a complete breakdown of MINO's 'TANG!♡'!

"Where did you come from, perhaps outer space / With the foxy expression I can’t really hear what the fox says (What did you say?)"

MINO's encounter with an unbelievably amazing woman leaves him smitten. However, her heart is totally alien to him. The reference to "outer space" further reinstates this by reminding us that MINO has no clue as to how to handle his feelings or decipher hers. A clever allusion to the iconic song "The Fox (What Does The Fox Say)" by Ylvis is very well received too.

"If I show you a copy of my bank statement will you come over?/ How should I stage my attack I should study / Woo there's enough bullets / Just open your mouth, a steak is flying in, fly, fly"

It becomes clear at this point that MINO's expresses his love language through gifts and in reality, doesn't quite know any other way to get close to someone emotionally. This is not to say, however, that his own feelings aren't sincere. On the contrary, his desperate attempts at getting them across are what prove the ingenuity of the same.

"This is just my heart / An expression of it / So take it"

There's a clear divide of sentiments here because to MINO, the woman is a chimera who he simply cannot grasp and on the other hand, she doesn't seem to understand him either! The entire second verse is dedicated to this feeling.

"Don't feel pressured, ever / But please be my oriole / When I see your back I'll immediately back hug"

This is where we see a soft vulnerability in MINO where he admits to his emotional needs, giving us a clear glimpse into where he's coming from. His wounded heart has built a big enough barricade for him to resort to materiality rather than an honest confession to express his feelings. It might even be implied here that the latter could have resulted in a painful heartbreak in the past.

"Honestly I want to buy your heart / Tell me how to seduce you / I'm dumb so I don't really know what's in a woman's heart / What kind of things do I need to do"

MINO is increasingly opening up towards the end of the song as he himself confronts his efforts at winning her heart. He's well aware that his money is more of a coping mechanism than power and that at the end of the day, it will only attract shallow feelings.

WINNER's YouTube

"Don't avoid me / I don't want to get hurt again"

Finally, MINO gives in and reveals that his behavior is born out of hurt and pain. As the music video winds down to a seemingly anti-climactic end, we see MINO mustering up the courage to ask his date out. He knows he needs to confess and he needs to do it now, or he'll lose her forever.

What did you take away from MINO's 'TANG!♡'? Share your thoughts with Kpopmap in the comments section down below!