It was late 2019 when Tomorrow X Together (TXT) dropped The Dream Chapter: Magic. K-pop was in a weird, transitional spot. Most groups were leaning into high-concept EDM or dark, moody trap. Then came this bright, bouncy track with a title that sounded like a classic theological debate but felt more like a frantic group chat. The Angels or Devils lyrics weren't just catchy filler; they tapped into that specific, itchy feeling of being young and having absolutely no idea how to talk to your crush.
You’ve been there.
One voice in your head tells you to play it cool. The other tells you to send the risky text. It's a binary choice that feels like life or death when you're nineteen. Honestly, looking back at the track now, it's impressive how well it captures the chaotic internal monologue of Gen Z. It isn't a song about literal spirits. It's about the "Angel on the shoulder" trope updated for a digital age where every social interaction is a tactical maneuver.
The Push and Pull of the Angels or Devils Lyrics
The song kicks off with a vibe that's surprisingly old-school hip-hop. But the words? They are pure anxiety.
The Angels or Devils lyrics center on a "31-flavor" kind of indecision. In the opening verses, we see the members—Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai—grappling with two distinct paths. On one hand, you have the "Angel" approach: being polite, waiting your turn, and playing the long game. On the other, the "Devil" wants you to just go for it. Be bold. Be reckless.
What’s interesting is how the lyricists (including Pdogg and Supreme Boi) used the metaphor of "Black or White." It’s a classic trope, sure. But they layered it with a very specific Korean cultural nuance regarding how one presents themselves in public versus private.
Why the "Angel" side is actually exhausting
In the song, the Angel is described with words like "hesitation" and "gentle." It’s the side of you that wants to follow the rules of the "ssep" (thumb) relationship—that pre-dating phase where you're just feeling things out.
The lyrics say: "Wait a minute, wait a minute / The angel says, 'Wait until the end.'"
This isn't just about being a good person. It’s about the fear of rejection. If you stay an "angel," you're safe. You haven't risked anything. But as the song progresses, that safety starts to feel like a cage. You're watching life pass you by while you're busy being "good."
The "Devil" isn't actually evil here
Let's be real. The "Devil" in these lyrics is just raw impulse.
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It’s the urge to "run like a 100-meter dash." It’s the desire to skip the small talk and get to the point. When the Angels or Devils lyrics hit the chorus, the energy shifts. The "Devil" side is loud. It’s demanding. It tells you that if you don't act now, you'll lose your chance forever.
"Don't hesitate, don't hesitate," it screams.
This isn't a moral struggle between right and wrong. It’s a struggle between stasis and momentum. That’s why the song resonates with fans even years later. We all have that moment where we’re tired of being "nice" and just want to be "real."
The Hidden Meaning in the 31 Flavors Reference
If you’ve listened to the song a dozen times, you probably noticed the shout-out to Baskin Robbins (31 flavors).
It seems like a throwaway line, right? Just a bit of product placement or a cute metaphor for variety. But in the context of the Angels or Devils lyrics, it’s a commentary on the paralysis of choice.
We live in a world where we have too many options. Who should I be today? Should I be the "cool" version of myself? The "kind" version? The "ambitious" version? The song suggests that trying to choose between 31 different "flavors" of yourself is what leads to the angel/devil conflict in the first place.
It’s overwhelming.
Instead of choosing a flavor, the lyrics eventually suggest that you just need to move. Any choice is better than no choice. That's a pretty deep takeaway for a song that features a choreo where the members literally jump around like they’ve had too much caffeine.
How the Performance Changes the Meaning
You can't talk about the lyrics without talking about the stage.
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TXT has always been known for storytelling through movement. In "Angel or Devil," the choreography literally visualizes the tug-of-war. You see the members physically pulled between two sides of the stage.
The "Devil" parts are sharp, aggressive, and fast.
The "Angel" parts are soft, fluid, and bouncy.
Watching the performance makes the Angels or Devils lyrics feel less like a poem and more like a script. When Yeonjun does his rap section, he’s not just saying words; he’s embodying the frantic energy of someone whose brain is firing in ten different directions at once.
It makes the "struggle" feel relatable. It’s not a dark, gothic battle. It’s a messy, funny, slightly embarrassing struggle that happens in the middle of a high school hallway or a crowded cafe.
Comparing "Angel or Devil" to Other TXT Hits
If you look at "Crown," the lyrics were about growing pains—literally growing horns.
In "Run Away," the lyrics were about escapism.
But the Angels or Devils lyrics sit in this weird middle ground. They aren't as heavy as "Can't You See Me?" but they aren't as purely optimistic as "Blue Hour." They occupy the space of social anxiety.
Many fans (MOA) have pointed out that this song feels like a precursor to their later, more cynical tracks like "LO$ER=LO♡ER." While "Angel or Devil" is bright, the underlying stress of "How do I act?" is the same. It’s just that in 2019, they were trying to be cute about it. By 2021, they were ready to scream about it.
Key Lyric Breakdown (Korean to English Nuance)
There’s a specific line: "천사와 악마가 하는 말" (What the angel and devil say).
In Korean, the word for "devil" (ang-ma) carries a bit more of a "trickster" vibe in this context than the Western concept of pure evil. It’s someone who tempts you into mischief. Understanding this helps make sense of the song’s tone. It’s playful. It’s a "naughty" thought, not a "sinful" one.
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The use of "Nan-ni-na" throughout the song also serves as a mental reset. It’s a nonsense phrase that breaks up the overthinking. Sometimes, when your brain is stuck in a loop between two bad ideas, you just need a nonsense sound to clear the pipes.
Why We Are Still Searching for These Lyrics in 2026
The digital landscape has only gotten more complicated.
In 2026, we have even more "voices" in our heads. We have AI suggestions, social media algorithms, and constant peer pressure. The Angels or Devils lyrics feel more relevant now because the "Devil" on our shoulder is often just the urge to be authentic in a world that demands we be "Angels" for the camera.
People keep coming back to this song because it validates the messiness of the human brain. It’s okay to be undecided. It’s okay to feel like you’re being pulled in two directions.
The song doesn’t actually give you an answer, by the way.
It doesn't say, "Always listen to the angel." It also doesn't say, "Follow the devil." It ends on a note of continued conflict. And that is the most honest thing about it. Life isn't a Disney movie where the angel always wins. Sometimes you listen to the devil, you make a mistake, and you learn from it.
Actionable Takeaways from the Song
If you're obsessed with the Angels or Devils lyrics, don't just let them sit in your playlist. Use the energy of the track to look at your own decision-making process.
- Identify your "Angel" voice. Is it actually being "good," or is it just being "afraid"? Sometimes we mask our fear of failure as "patience."
- Lean into the "Devil" (responsibly). If there's something you’ve been wanting to say or do, and the only thing stopping you is the fear of looking "uncool" or "imperfect," maybe it's time to listen to that impulsive side.
- Recognize the "31 Flavors" trap. Stop trying to be every version of yourself at once. Pick one direction and move. You can always change your mind later, but standing still is the only way to definitely lose.
- Embrace the chaos. The reason "Angel or Devil" is a pop song and not a dirge is because the struggle is supposed to be fun. Being young (or just feeling young) means having the energy to fight these internal battles.
Next time you’re staring at a "Sent" notification and waiting for a reply, put this track on. Let the "Nan-ni-na" parts drown out the overthinking. The Angels or Devils lyrics remind us that everyone is just as confused as we are. Even idols. Even the people who seem to have it all figured out.
The beauty isn't in making the "right" choice. It's in the fact that you have a choice to make in the first place. Keep that energy. Whether you go with the halo or the horns today, just make sure you're the one making the call.
Don't let the voices decide for you. Pick a side, even if it's just for the next three minutes and thirty seconds of the song. Then, do it all over again tomorrow. That's basically the whole point of being human.