It’s a relaxed Sunday, the perfect moment to rewind K‑pop history. Back in summer 2012 f(x) electrified the charts with “Electric Shock,” a bright dance‑pop anthem that likens the rush of falling in love to a sudden surge of electricity. Let’s dissect the two lines that paint that pulse‑pounding feeling:
“의사 선생님 이건 뭔가요
숨이 가쁘고 열이 나요”
“Doctor, what is this?
My breathing’s ragged and I’ve got a fever.”
📝 Key Grammar & Vocabulary
1️⃣ 의사 선생님 uisa seonsaengnim
- doctor (formal)
- 선생님 adds respect; often used for professionals such as doctors, teachers, or mentors.
2️⃣ 이건 뭔가요 igeon mwongayo
- 이건 – “this (subject)”; contraction of 이것은; points to the feeling being described.
- 뭔가요 – “what is it? (polite)”; formed from 뭐 (what) + 이다 (to be) + ‑나요 (question ending).
3️⃣ 숨이 가쁘고 sumi gappeugo
- 숨이 – “breath (subject)”; 숨 = breath, ‑이 marks the subject.
- 가쁘고 – “rapid, panting + connective ‑고”; from 가쁘다 (to be hurried, fast). The ‑고 links this description to the next clause smoothly.
4️⃣ 열이 나요 yeori nayo
- 열이 – “fever (subject)”; 열 = temperature/fever, ‑이 marks the subject.
- 나요 – polite question ending; turns a statement into a gentle inquiry.
- 나요 (from 나다) also conveys “to arise, to develop” in the present tense, emphasizing the onset of fever.
💡 Language Tip
The ‑고 connector in 가쁘고 lets two descriptors flow together, a common device in lyrics to keep rhythm while stacking images. Meanwhile, the repeated ‑나요 pattern adds a questioning, almost bewildered tone—perfect for a singer asking a “doctor” to diagnose the shocking sensations of love.
💬 Why It Matters
f(x) uses clinical language (“doctor,” “fever”) to dramatize the physiological reaction to love—your body literally feels like it’s being shocked. The juxtaposition of a medical setting with a dance‑floor vibe underscores how love can be both unsettling and exhilarating. It’s a clever way to turn a common pop‑song metaphor into something tangible and relatable.
⚡️ Does the chorus still give you that jolt whenever it plays? Drop a ⚡️ if you feel the “electric shock” of f(x)’s summer anthem!