An expression may be easy to use in one language, but nearly impossible to explain in another. That’s the challenge at the heart of Flip the Language, a new video podcast on Spotify. Across four weekly episodes, K-Pop boy group KickFlip explores Korean slang, memes, and everyday phrases that don’t quite translate word for word.
Working in rotating units, the members bring each expression to life in conversations inspired by their personalities and real-life stories. Then, with one member stepping in as their language tutor, they search for the closest English and Japanese equivalent and put it to the test. Along the way, their conversations and challenges reveal how much humor and cultural nuance can be packed into a single phrase.
For the Record caught up with KickFlip to talk about the fun of getting lost (and found) in translation, bringing their chemistry to the screen, and what fans can look forward to learning alongside them.
Korean is full of expressions that feel impossible to explain in another language. What made you want to take on that challenge now with Flip the Language?
KickFlip: There are so many Korean expressions that we use naturally every day, but when we try to explain them in another language, we realize how difficult it is to capture the exact feeling or nuance behind them. Since we have both Korean and Japanese members and communicate with fans all over the world, we thought it would be fun to explore those differences together. Rather than simply translating each expression, we wanted to show how it is actually used through conversations and role-playing, and then find the closest natural way to express that same feeling in English or Japanese.
Did you uncover anything surprising about each other during filming?
Kyehoon: I realized that Keiju was much better at Japanese than I expected! I was surprised by how well he understood and used Japanese.
Donghwa: I was really grateful to Keiju because he explained Japanese so clearly. He was a really good teacher!
Juwang: I was surprised by how good Minje was at English. He was even better than I expected!
Minje: Keiju was really good at teaching us Japanese, and I especially enjoyed the way he would use funny tones and act out different situations. Those moments made it even more fun.
Keiju: I think I realized that I’m actually pretty good at teaching, just like a real teacher! Teacher Keiju is the best!
Donghyeon: I was impressed by how Keiju, when he was the teacher, didn’t just follow the script but added his own lines while leading the conversation. That really stood out to me.
With Flip the Language, fans now have a whole new way to spend time with you. What does it mean to you to have this show on Spotify?
KickFlip: We’re excited to connect with fans through a format that feels different from our music and performances. A video podcast gives us more time to talk, react to each other, and show our natural chemistry, while also learning something together. We hope fans can feel like they’re part of the conversation with us: laughing at the same moments, learning new expressions, and getting to know us a little better along the way.
What do you hope fans, or those who might be discovering your group for the first time, take away from watching it?
Kyehoon: I hope people discover that KickFlip is actually a very playful group. When we’re together, we joke around a lot and we’re much more relaxed and honest with each other. And for me personally, because I’m the leader, I might seem serious sometimes, but I hope fans discover that I can actually be a little clumsy and I really love joking around.
Donghwa: I hope fans get to see a more serious side of me through the show.
Juwang: I hope viewers realize that learning a language can be fun.
Minje: I hope fans notice my English skills and my funny way of speaking during the show.
Keiju: I hope fans discover that I have some hosting skills! I also hope they notice how much my Korean has improved. And I think Minje once again showed how good he is at English!
Donghyeon: I hope WeFlip can see how quickly I pick things up and maybe even find that side of me a little sexy!
To wrap things up: is there a phrase you’d like to teach your fans that might not make sense when directly translated to another language?
Kyehoon: I’d like to introduce “눈치 없다” (nunchi eopda). It’s difficult to translate directly, but we use it when someone isn’t very good at reading the room or picking up on how another person is feeling. Between close friends, we also use it playfully, like “너 진짜 눈치 없다!”—something like, “You really can’t take a hint!”
Donghwa: I’d choose “꿀꿀하다” (kkulkkulhada). We use it when we’re feeling a little down or when our mood just feels a bit off. It describes that slightly gloomy or unsettled feeling that’s difficult to translate exactly.
Juwang: I’d choose “알잘딱깔센” (al-jal-ttak-kkal-sen). It’s short for “알아서 잘 딱 깔끔하고 센스 있게,” which basically means to understand what needs to be done and handle it well, neatly and with good sense.
Minje: I have three expressions I’d like to introduce! First, “야무지다” (yamujida). I use it when a meal is put together perfectly—when everything on the table goes really well together. Second, “낄끼빠빠” (kkil-kki-ppa-ppa). It means “Know when to join in and when to step back.” It’s about reading the situation and knowing when to get involved and when not to. And lastly, “맛꿀마” (mat-kkul-ma). It’s something you can say when the food is really, really good!
Keiju: Since I’m Japanese, I’d like to introduce a Japanese expression: “エモい” (emoi). It comes from “emotional” and is used when something gives you a strong emotional feeling or has a special emotional vibe.
Donghyeon: I’d choose “묘하다” (myohada). We use it when a situation or feeling is somehow strange or ambiguous, but it’s difficult to explain exactly why. For example, you might say, “아, 기분이 조금 묘하네…” Something like, “Hmm… I feel kind of strange,” but the Korean expression has a subtle feeling that’s difficult to capture exactly in English.
Watch the first episode on Spotify now. New episodes drop every Monday at 11AM KST.
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