BTS joins forces with lyricists Derrick Milano, Gregory ‘Aldae’ Hein, and Kevin Parker for ‘Merry Go Round (Romanized).’ The song is part of the Arirang album, with Kevin Parker handling the composition. The lyrics describe a never-ending cycle of struggles and self-blame.
Released: March 20, 2026
Merry Go Round (Romanized)
Bts • From “Arirang”
Merry Go Round (Romanized) Lyrics Translation (from “Arirang”)
RM, Suga, and J-Hope write about a life stuck in a relentless loop. The line, ‘My life is like a broken roller coaster,’ highlights the emotional ups and downs. The artists compare their struggles to a merry-go-round that spins endlessly.
I wish that I could tell you that it’s over (over)I wish that I could tell you that it’s over.
I wish that I could walk away from painI wish that I could walk away from the pain.
My life is like a broken roller coasterMy life is like a broken roller coaster,
But maybe I’m the only one to blamebut maybe I’m the only one to blame.
I can’t get off this merry-go-roundI can’t get off this merry-go-round.
It spins me around (around around)It spins me around and around.
I do my best but I can’t slow downI do my best, but I can’t slow down
This merry-go-roundthis merry-go-round.
And I I can’t get off of this rideAnd I, I can’t get off of this ride.
(I can’t get off of this ride)(I can’t get off of this ride).
I try this happens every timeI try, but this happens every time.
(I can’t get off of this ride)(I can’t get off of this ride).
Eoreuni doen geot gateun gibunijimanIt feels like I’ve finally become an adult,
Gomineun mwo yeojeonhajibut my worries are exactly the same.
Maeil gateun ilsang sok hoejeonmongmanaThis merry-go-round in my everyday routine,
Chetbakwina maehangaji (maehangaji)is just like a hamster wheel.
Oh dabi eomneun jilmunOh, these are questions with no answers,
Migung sogeseoui jiljuas we sprint through a maze.
Dadeul gwaenchaneun cheokamyeoEveryone pretends that they are okay,
Utgo itji modu da da da dasmiling brightly, every single one of them.
I wish that I could tell you that it’s over (over)I wish that I could tell you that it’s over.
I wish that I could walk away from painI wish that I could walk away from the pain.
My life is like a broken roller coasterMy life is like a broken roller coaster,
But maybe I’m the only one to blamebut maybe I’m the only one to blame.
I can’t get off this merry-go-roundI can’t get off this merry-go-round.
It spins me around (around around)It spins me around and around.
I do my best but I can’t slow downI do my best, but I can’t slow down
This merry-go-roundthis merry-go-round.
And I I can’t get off of this rideAnd I, I can’t get off of this ride.
(I can’t get off of this ride)(I can’t get off of this ride).
I try this happens every timeI try, but this happens every time.
(I can’t get off of this ride)(I can’t get off of this ride).
Spinnin’ up downSpinning up and down,
Just ’round and ’roundjust going round and round.
I’m fallin’ apartI’m falling apart,
Still bound to ground (woah)still bound to the ground.
Meomchul su eomneun gulle sokInside this unstoppable cycle,
Nae dongsimi sorichijana (yeah yeah yeah yeah)my childhood innocence is screaming out.
Na won eopsi talmankeum tasseuniI’ve ridden this as much as I possibly can,
Please take me out maso please take me out, Ma.
Chimdaeneun naui gwan my bed is my coffinMy bed is my coffin, my bed is my coffin.
Eojjeom nae sesangeun geodaehan caffeineMaybe my world is just a giant caffeine rush.
Maeil neol jugeureo ga kkumeul kkeul sun eomnaI go to die every day, can’t I just turn off these dreams?
Meomchul su eomneun chumeul chugo itjanaI’m dancing a dance that I can’t ever stop.
Tto saenggage saenggage saenggage saenggakI have thoughts on thoughts on thoughts again,
Saenggakaji maljan saenggageul hae nanand I think about how I shouldn’t think at all.
Binggeul tto binggeul haengbokaniSpinning round and round, are you happy?
Useojwo kkeutkkajiPlease smile for me until the very end.
Merry Go Round (Romanized) Music Video
The English lyrics of ‘Merry Go Round (Romanized)’ describe the feeling of being trapped in a repetitive cycle. BTS uses the song to explore themes of exhaustion and the desire for escape.