Re: wordplay
“재미/jaemi" in Korean means fun and sounds like "jammy". It’s sometimes shortened in slang to “잼/jaem”, which sounds like “jam”. It can be a suffix (“노잼 /no-jaem” means “no fun”). So they're playing with all of these meanings. The word for jam in Korean is 잼/jaem, borrowed from English, but for some reason, it’s pronounced by many Koreans with a slightly harder J sound, kind of in between ㅈ and ㅉ, and it’s sometimes written as 쨈/jjaem, which is why, I’m guessing, the song is titled JJAM with 2 Js. BUT ALSO, 째다/jjaeda is the word for cutting by tearing, ripping, or piercing, but it’s also slang for skipping school, cutting class, running/sneaking off, and the form used is usually 쨈/jjaem. So you might say, “오늘 학교 쨈/oneul haggyo jjaem” to mean you skipped school today. Funny note, this is probably a reverse formation from English “jam” meaning “to run away”.

Also, when they say in the chorus "찍어 발라 버려. jam/jjig-eo balla beolyeo, jam", which is translated as "Dip and spread jam", there's wordplay on the "spread it" part. "발라버렸어/ballabeolyeoss-eo/I spread it" is slang in a competitive setting for "I crushed them (the competition)/I killed them/I killed it/I ate". So they're saying "Crush it".

Oh, and "chop chop" (촵촵) in Korean is the onomatopoeia for lip-smacking, like to indicate something yummy.

Lastly, the "dori dori jaem jaem" part in the chorus that gets translated as "shake shake jam jam" is actually part of a little exercise/chant you do with very young babies in Korea to help them learn basic motor skills. You say "dori dori" (turn turn) as you turn your head from side to side and "jaem jaem" as you make fists with your hands, and the babies imitate your movements.

Lastly, I just learned that “jaemi/fun” is a nativization of the Sino-Korean word 자미/jami/滋味, which means “flavor”. Whether SKZ would have known this, I don’t know, but given how much 3racha seems to like and play with hanjaeo (Sino-Korean words), I wouldn’t put it past them.

I love JJAM coz it unknowingly introduces their “official” Rachas when the say (Sing) then vocalRacha sings then (Dance) danceRacha and (Rap) and 3Racha is on🎉🎉 Love it sm

Yeah, every time it sounds like they're cussing, it's a clever play on words. Until the live shows then it's shouted clearly,🤣

JJAM means Fun in Korean. But they love wordplays 😉

I love how they always have their videos have different themes within the theme. The underlined someone stalking them and scary movie feel is awesome.

One of my favorites. Dance practice is sooo good too. ❤🔥

They love using words with different meanings in all the ways.  Jjam- Korean fun, jam-playing/making music, jam- similar to jelly, jam-to force, jam-to leave someplace.

I love this song, the concept of the video being both silly and like a horror movie. The choreo is so satisfying to watch and the beat is fire.

Please do next: victory song (first the MV and then performance at Mama 2020), they are insane 🎉🎉🎉🎉

And that's EXACTLY why jjam is my favourite song 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ I knew you were gonna love this one

The beat is NASTY, the choreo is my absolute favourite stray kids choreo, the song is just so fun and unserious without going so far that it feels silly. Changbin and Han back to back rapping tickles my brain juuuust right 🙂‍↕️

Also the MV is visually stunning with all the effects, the colours, outfits and general styling fits the theme perfectly and the found footage style filming are you kidding meeee?? No one else could have pulled that off.

I love the subtle acting in this, too.  Felix getting startled by then getting mad at I.N, HAN looking like crazed killer, etc.

yeah you're right about that GOT THEM double meaning and the way it's sang.. funny fact, during the broadcast of the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, the audio was censored on those parts 🤣🤣🤣

One of my favorite videos and songs. They nailed everything. The rachas are amazing. Glad you like it too.

Xikers delulu its so underrated

Your reaction is so fun.   You make my day.   Love ~ STAY ~ Canada.💛

How many stops and rewinds you want?
Yes 😵‍💫🫠

I will never not giggle at the "Wah!" when Lee Know gets yanked backwards

there is SO much wordplay in skz lyrics if you dig into the Korean :)

As always, I love your reactions!! Watch this a week later 😅 buuuuuut, fun fact, when Bang Chan says : Everybody Everybody jam" it's a reference to the met gala, when the photographers moking about Stray kids, AND they said "Everybody jump"...idk if i wrote this correctly sorry 😅

If I'm not mistaken Changbin is the main writer and producer behind this