ATEEZ member Hongjoong is currently going viral for his lyrics on the Odetari song “SMB“, where he features and his verse includes lyrics that seemingly diss Bang Si Hyuk. In the song he appears to be calling out the executive and company HYBE for their internal gossip rag mess that rocked the industry last October.
Korean lyrics don’t always translate to English seamlessly, and rap lyrics are notoriously difficult since they involve puns and what not, but this was essentially the verse in question.
“Should I be mad?
This is no fun at all,
Act your age, you lazy bum.
Just nod-nod, clap-clap.
Why are you mad?
Think you’re something, Hitman?
If you’ve got time to watch others,
Better watch your own back.
Du-du-du, Bang.
Jealousy and envy rule your life.
Blinded, you talk trash while name-dropping.
A lifetime of playing mind games,
Avoiding work, then throwing tantrums late in the game.
Oh, it’s hot — how’s this?
I’m fanning the flames until there’s no trace of your house left.
Subpar, outdated grump.
I know it’s unfair.”
In the context of the other lyrics, there’s no reason to include “Hitman” and “Bang” without intending it as a diss about the gossip rag stuff. Even if he denied it for PR reasons — like how companies claim every song with sexually-charged lyrics are actually innocent baby lyrics — I think any fan of hip-hop can recognize shots being taken when they see it. Like the disses are not going to be spelled out for you, man.
Anyway, that was reinforced when KQ Entertainment responded to media questions about whether it was intended as a Bang Si Hyuk diss with a cryptic no comment. Even if they have to walk it back later cause it blows up and causes trouble or whatever, at least Everybody Knows.