Monsta X has released an English version of their single “Shoot Out.” The track was sent to American radio on November 9, 2018 at 6 PM KST / 4 AM EST. It‘s a gift to international fans and a way for the group to expand their presence in the States.
The original Korean version dropped in October 2018 as the title track of the first half of their two-part album, Take.1 Are You There?
What Makes Shoot Out Special
I’ve heard a few Monsta X songs in the past, but “Shoot Out” is the first one that really made me stop and take notice. One of Monsta X’s strengths is their ability to be vulnerable while still maintaining that intense, hard-hitting sound.
You can hear it all over this track. It captures the pain of being in such a toxic situation, ending it would be better keeping things the way they are. The production symbolizes the chaos the relationship brings and the desperation the narrator feels.
“Shoot Out” was written by Seo Jieum, Jooheon, I.M, Daniel Kim, STEREO14, and Ti. The song is a mix of EDM and hip-hop with a Western-inspired, gunslinger concept. You get an aggressive beat with heavy bass and stacked synth layers. Gun-cocking sound effects, and that “Walker” chant creates tension. Everything about the production makes it feel like someone is walking straight into a gunfight.
Korean vs. English Lyrics
Both versions of the song use the “shoot out” metaphor to describe a toxic relationship, but they approach the subject differently.
The Korean lyrics are more direct. If this is the end, then end it quickly. Don’t prolong the suffering. Just take the final shot.
The English lyrics view love as a whole as something that’s inherently reckless. The narrator is wounded and bleeding, waiting for a savior while their partner’s love cuts them like a razor.
Both versions still use the zombie/walker imagery. There’s still that sense of wandering through something that can’t be fixed. The English version paints the emotional damage in a more cinematic way.
What I like about the English version is how well the translated lyrics fit the music. That’s rare.
With K-pop, when a song is re-released in English, the lyrics don’t always fit with the original melody. Thankfully, that’s not the case here with “Shoot Out”. Whoever wrote the English lyrics did a great job here. The intensity is still present, which makes “Shoot Out” one of Monsta X’s most powerful tracks. No matter what language it’s sung in.
📌 Changelog
- December 1, 2025: Changed the formatting to include sub-headings. Also added additional information about the song’s production with a comparison between the Korean and English versions.
- November 9, 2018: Date article was originally published.
