《ICONIC》 is a bold and self-assured track by aespa, featured as the fifth song on their first mini album Savage, released in 2021 under SM Entertainment. Written and produced by international creators including Sophie Curtis and Timothy Tan, the song channels a sense of unstoppable confidence and self-definition, urging the listener to embrace their instincts without hesitation. Through sharp imagery and forward-driving energy, it captures the moment of stepping beyond familiar limits, breaking out of rigid frames, and claiming one’s own voice as something powerful and unmistakable, reinforcing aespa’s identity as a group that turns ambition and individuality into something unmistakably iconic.
[FULL LYRICS – ROMANIZATION & ENGLISH ONLY]
English Translation
gam-chul-su-rok i seek kkeul-li-neun i’m so chic nun-man sal-jjak ma-ju-chyeo-do ppal-gae-ji-neun your cheek
The more I hide, I seek, drawing you in, I’m so chic, just a glance meeting mine, and your cheek turns red.
born to be a SUPER STAR bon-neung-e neol mat-gyeo-bwa jin-jja na-reul cha-ja-ga cha-kan du nun-e gam-chun WILD yeah i’m WILD seul-jjeok geon-deu-ryeo bwa NOW bal-dan jeon-gae tta-wi skip-han chae deu-reo-nae i-ppal we wanna play we gonna play
Born to be a SUPER STAR, leave yourself to instinct, finding the real me, the WILD hidden in these innocent eyes, yeah I’m WILD, try touching me slightly NOW, skipping all the buildup and intro, baring my fangs, we wanna play, we gonna play.
sol-jik-ha-ge neu-kkin dae-ro pyo-hyeon-hae je-dae-ro jeo byeol-bit-i bae-in seon-myeong-han mok-so-rin nae kkum an-e kkeo-ji-ji a-neul FLAMES (in my voice) i-kkeul-lin geu sun-gan (hear my voice)
Honestly, just as I feel, expressing it properly, that clear voice soaked in starlight, FLAMES inside my dream that will never die (in my voice), that moment you were drawn in (hear my voice).
mwol geu-ri go-min-hae ne sim-jang-eun nae-ge-man ba-neung-hae ji-ru-han FRAME bo-ran deut beo-seo na ne mam da sa-ro-ja-ba-sseo i-mi nan I C O N I C
Why are you hesitating? Your heart reacts only to me, breaking out of that boring FRAME like a show, I’ve already captivated your whole heart, I C O N I C.
we do it do it do it (so iconic) do it do it do it (so i got it) do it do it do it (so i’m coming) I C O N I C
imma VROOM VROOM VROOM keo-jyeo-ga ne mam-ui so-ri ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM turn up turn up girls imma VROOM VROOM VROOM nae-ge-ro ne mam-ui so-ri ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM
Imma VROOM VROOM VROOM, the sound of your heart getting louder, ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM, turn up turn up girls, Imma VROOM VROOM VROOM, the sound of your heart coming to me, ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM.
jam-si-do swil sae eop-si POW POW POW bul-kkot-cheo-reom ta-ol-la we go LOUD LOUD LOUD to the sky we flying now
Without a moment to rest, POW POW POW, burning up like fireworks, we go LOUD LOUD LOUD, to the sky we flying now.
kka-man eo-dum sok ELECTRIC jam-deun neo-reul kkae-ul TIMING like a lightning bolt we shining you feel it we collect it
Electric in the pitch-black darkness, the TIMING to wake your sleeping self, like a lightning bolt we shining, you feel it we collect it.
nan ban-jjak-yeo mae-il mae sun-gan deo nop-i nae kkum an-e nal-gae-reul pyeol-chyeo nae (in my voice) neol hyang-han geu sun-gan (hear my voice)
I sparkle every day, every moment higher, spreading wings inside my dream (in my voice), that moment directed at you (hear my voice).
wae a-jik go-min-hae ne nun-ap-e bit-na-neun mo-deun ge got son-an-e ja-pil deut da-ga-wa ne mam-eul chae-ul-su-rok gi-peo-jyeo ga I C O N I C
Why are you still hesitating? Everything shining before your eyes, approaches as if within your grasp, the more it fills your heart, the deeper it gets, I C O N I C.
we do it do it do it (so iconic) do it do it do it (so i got it) do it do it do it (so i’m coming) I C O N I C
imma VROOM VROOM VROOM keo-jyeo-ga ne mam-ui so-ri ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM turn up turn up girls imma VROOM VROOM VROOM nae-ge-ro ne mam-ui so-ri ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM
Imma VROOM VROOM VROOM, the sound of your heart getting louder, ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM, turn up turn up girls, Imma VROOM VROOM VROOM, the sound of your heart coming to me, ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM.
seo-ro-reul da-ma dal-ma-ga-neun EYES neo-wa nal neo-wa nal wan-seong-hae jul nu-gu-do ga-ji a-neun gil so be YOURSELF heun-deul-rim eop-si mae-il be MYSELF we go and make it ICONIC
EYES that resemble each other, holding one another, the path no one else takes, that will complete you and me, you and me, so be YOURSELF, unshaken every day, be MYSELF, we go and make it ICONIC.
like that geo-chim-eop-si like that watch out ne mam deo gip-i we do it do it do it (so iconic) do it do it do it (so i got it) do it do it do it (so i’m coming) I C O N I C
Like that, without hesitation like that, watch out, deeper into your heart, we do it do it do it (so iconic), do it do it do it (so I got it), do it do it do it (so I’m coming), I C O N I C.
💡 Note: Refers to an inner drive that guides actions without hesitation or calculation
이끌린(ikkkeunlin)
drawn, pulled
💡 Note: Conveys being naturally attracted or guided by emotion rather than reason
불꽃(bulkkot)
flame
💡 Note: Symbolizes passion and ambition that burns intensely and visibly
사로잡았어(sarojabasseo)
captured
💡 Note: Implies completely taking hold of someone’s heart or attention
🎵 Song Meaning & Interpretation
The lyrics speak from the perspective of someone who no longer hides their true self, choosing confidence and instinct over restraint. What begins as quiet attraction turns into a declaration of identity, where desire, ambition, and self-belief fuel forward motion without hesitation. The voice insists on honesty in feeling and expression, rejecting hesitation and dull frames imposed by others. As the imagery grows louder and brighter, the song frames self-realization as ignition—an inner flame that spreads, lifts them higher, and pulls others into its orbit. In the end, becoming “iconic” is not about approval, but about fully embracing one’s own intensity and moving forward without fear.
