Criticism slang

Means the same as "geuk-hyeom" (utterly disgusting/hate it). Also used when something is absurd or annoying, or sometimes just said for fun with no real meaning.

Literally "seolleongtang (ox-bone soup) eaten through the nose" — a reference to the historical use of water torture against government critics. Now used to mean "you'll get in trouble" for posting something critical of the government.

Repeating the same joke or action past the point it's funny, until it just annoys everyone — as if your brain's circuits had stopped working.

A jokey intensified version of "yeolbatne" (that pisses me off), swapping in "King" for extra emphasis.

I am saying this because I am having trouble solving the problem.

It is an abbreviation of 'Join in when you should, and back out when you should'.

A softened, swear-free exclamation of annoyance or disbelief, like "ugh!" — the opposite of 야르.

Combines "brainless" with the derogatory suffix "-chung" (bug/pest) — mocks someone for behaving badly enough to seem to have no brain at all. Historically used by critics of singer Moon Hee-jun to attack his behavior.

Shorthand that can mean "annoying" (gwichana), "it's fine" (gwaenchanseumnida), or "together" (gachi), depending on context.

A blend of "annoying/bothersome" (gwichanta) and the suffix "-ism" — the general state of finding everything too much effort. Someone deep in it is a "gwichanist."

"Eat and run" — taking something (money, an item, credit) and vanishing without honoring the deal; commonly used for scams or stealing another player's in-game item.

A blend of the first syllables of Genji, Tracer, Widowmaker, and Hanzo — Overwatch heroes (by Blizzard) notoriously blamed for losses when picked poorly.

It is a term created by combining the suffix '-chung' with 'Korean man,' and was first used in August 2015. It began to be used as a form of 'mirroring' against misogyny on the internet community Megalia, and on Womad, which gained many members from Megalia, it is defined to refer narrowly to 'cisgender heterosexual Korean men' and broadly to 'all Korean men.' The Korea Institute for Gender Equality Education has classified this as an expression of hatred and condemnation against a specific gender.

Shorthand for a disapproving tsk-tsk sound, usually tacked on when putting someone down.

Calling someone out and turning out to be guilty of the same thing yourself. From a comedy sketch where the person mocking an African name was himself named Tallulah.

To be angry, annoyed, or infuriated — often at something absurd or ridiculous.

A veteran who has played or done something so long they're extremely good at it — literally "stagnant water," which also hints at a scene newcomers can't break into.

A suffix for someone who unconditionally criticizes and opposes a specific target, attached after the target's name. From a word meaning "to run down/trash-talk."

"Ilbe is our shield" (shortened) — the idea that because the far-right forum Ilbe behaves so badly, DC Inside looks comparatively better by contrast, so Ilbe unintentionally "shields" DC Inside from criticism.

"You see as much as you know" (shortened) — arose among online viewers who argue over and defend pro gamers' plays, based on how much game knowledge they actually have.

A suffix that critically labels taking pride in something not really worth being proud of, e.g. "chest pride," "age pride," "degree pride," "hip pride," "military-service pride," "level pride."

"No" (English) + "dap" (answer) — "there's no answer/solution." Describes a hopeless person or an infuriating problem.

"Clean DC" — before the far-right forum Ilbe existed, DC Inside itself was criticized for its members' extreme behavior. Once the even-more-extreme Ilbe appeared, DC Inside's image improved by comparison, and its users started claiming the moral high ground over Ilbe and Today's Humor users with comments like "unlike those Ilbe/Oyu jerks, nothing like that happens on our clean DC" — sometimes sincerely, sometimes as a way to stir up trouble on other sites or whitewash DC's own reputation.

"The omniscient makeup-addict's point of view" — the uncanny ability of a serious cosmetics enthusiast to spot subtle differences ordinary people would miss.

From English "shield." Used when someone defends a person or group being criticized on a forum, deflecting the attacks — commonly as the verb phrase "shield-chida" (to put up a shield).

It is a sarcastic term used to mock the older generation for saying "Back in my day" to the younger generation. Also known as "Latte-drip," it is used to criticize or satirize the speech and behavior of the older generation from the past. It is also used in English as "Latte is horse."

Working someone's emotions for sympathy or profit — said critically.

This is aimed at the resignation of Kim Eui-kyum during his time as Blue House spokesperson due to allegations of real estate speculation in Heukseok-dong, Seoul. People Power Party lawmaker Heo Eun-ah criticized Open Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Eui-kyum, who had stated that "impersonating the police was a common occurrence" during the reporting process in the past media environment, telling him to "at least pretend to be righteous" and calling him "Truly Heukseok Eui-kyum."

Short for "shut up and watch it live" — insisting on watching a favorite show when it first airs rather than through reruns or replays.

I'm too overwhelmed — by amusement, annoyance or emotion — to respond.

I spit out this word when I'm forced to criticize.

Literally means "a great victory," but on DC Inside's domestic-baseball gallery it's flipped to describe a game that goes so badly it draws criticism instead.

Offensive or harmful in a way worth criticising.

"Our Ilbe-shield is holding up strong" — said by DC Inside users when Ilbe (or both Ilbe and DC Inside together) does something outrageous, but DC Inside escapes most of the blame because Ilbe's behavior is so much worse.

Bothered or upset, often more than the situation deserves.

Short for "shaking my head" — disappointment or disbelief.

This nickname emerged following the controversy over the notification of abandonment of a Pungsan dog. As criticism poured in regarding the abandonment of a pet dog, the nickname "Gae-beorin" was coined by likening it to the headache medicine Geborin.

Harshly criticised or mocked, often publicly online.

Bitter or annoyed, usually over something minor.

A sharp, witty comeback to criticism.

To notice or call out something, often a flaw someone hoped would go unseen.

Short for "did someone threaten you with a knife?" — a sarcastic retort telling a complainer they chose it themselves and must live with it.

"Pass-through power" — the ability to let rude comments or annoying situations slide off you without reacting.

Short for "expectation control" — deliberately lowering your hopes so you won't be disappointed. Spread from streamers telling viewers to keep their expectations in check.

Short for "your touch is totally dead" — said when something shows zero sense or flair and falls flat. The opposite of 감다살.

Named after film director Jang Hang-jun's famously carefree attitude — a mindset of shrugging off criticism and failure instead of taking them to heart.

Short for "traditional wife" — a woman who embraces traditional homemaker roles and often promotes that lifestyle on social media. The term is frequently used critically.

A blend of "cope" and "opium" — the denial or self-delusion someone uses to avoid facing a loss or failure. "Blaming the lag again? That's pure copium."

"Steel mentality" — nerves of steel; someone who stays unshaken no matter the pressure. The opposite of 유리멘탈.

"Glass mentality" — a fragile mindset that cracks under the slightest pressure or criticism.

A label for the ardent supporters of Lee Jae-myung. Supporters use it as a self-name meaning "daughters of reform," while critics use it disparagingly for his hardline, uncritical base, so its tone depends on who's speaking.

From 갑 ("party A," the stronger side in a contract) plus the negative suffix -질 — abusive, bossy behavior by someone with power toward those beneath them, like a boss or customer mistreating staff.

Short for "men in their twenties," popularized as a voting-bloc label after the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election. It often implies young men seen as anti-feminist or conservative-leaning, a generalization many in that group reject.

Originally meant alert to racial and social injustice; now often used disapprovingly, mainly by critics on the right, for progressive views seen as extreme — "They called the ad too woke."

A sideways glance showing doubt or disapproval; also used as a reaction — "Pineapple on pizza? Side eye."

Short for "gagging someone's mouth." It spread as a political term after a protesting graduate was physically gagged and removed by security during the president's speech at KAIST's February 2024 graduation, and is mainly used by critics to describe authorities silencing dissent.

Irritable or angry because you're hungry — "Feed me before I get hangry."

Short for "involuntary celibate": someone, usually a man, who wants but can't find a romantic or sexual partner and blames others, especially women. Also tossed around as an insult — "He's giving incel energy."

Short for "a man with a sexy brain" — a guy who's attractive because he's smart and witty. Popularized in 2015 by a TV quiz show.

A Korean umbrella term lumping Millennials and Gen Z together as "young people"; popular in marketing and media, though often criticized as too broad.

Short for "Trump Derangement Syndrome" — a mocking term, mostly used by Trump supporters, for critics whose dislike of Donald Trump is seen as irrational or obsessive.

Short for "pisses me off" — "ts pmo" = "this sh*t pisses me off." Less often, "put me on" (introduce me to something good).

"Native-born Japanese pirates" — a derogatory label for Koreans seen as glorifying Japanese colonial rule or siding with Japan. Mostly used by progressives against conservatives; critics say it is applied too loosely.

"Yoon again" — a slogan chanted by hardline supporters of former president Yoon Suk Yeol after his April 2025 removal from office, calling for his political comeback; critics also use it as a label for that hardline camp.

Said right after something that could sound sexual or gay, to disown the innuendo — like "no homo"; criticized as homophobic.

Short for "Republican in name only" — a disparaging label Republicans use for party members they see as disloyal or not conservative enough.

A mocking twist on the name of the People Power Party (국민의힘), swapping "power" for "burden"; used by the party's critics and seen as derogatory by its members.

Making an extreme or irrational person or idea seem more reasonable than it is. Used especially as a liberal criticism of mainstream media coverage of conservative politics — "That headline is pure sanewashing."

A joking term for an inpatient stay at a psychiatric facility, named after the non-slip socks patients are given — "Work is so bad I need a grippy sock vacation."

The syllable 윤 (Yoon) flipped upside down — an internet nickname used by critics to mock former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol. It is considered derogatory.

Literally "following the North" — a Korean political label for people or groups seen as blindly supporting North Korea's regime. Some treat it as a descriptive criticism, while others see it as a smear used to tar opponents as pro-North.

Publicly showing off your moral or political stance to look good, without doing much — a disparaging accusation. "That post is just virtue signaling."

"Bro" + "oligarchy" — a small group of ultra-rich male tech moguls seen as wielding political power; used critically.

"Honey" + "thighs" — firm, toned, attractive thighs; a 2009 entertainment-news term criticized as objectifying.

A derogatory nickname for former South Korean president Moon Jae-in, blending his name with "재앙" (disaster). It is used mainly in conservative and far-right online spaces critical of him.

A derogatory nickname for former Korean president Lee Myung-bak, likening his looks to a rat (쥐); used by his critics online and in politics during his presidency.

Internet slang meaning "done for" or "dead," spread by mocking the death of former president Roh Moo-hyun via an old drink ad; widely condemned as a derogatory slur.

Literally "cyber tow truck" — a critical term for YouTube channels that rush out stitched-together videos on scandals and incidents for views, the way tow trucks race to a crash scene.

Short for "key associates of Yoon" — politicians seen as President Yoon Suk-yeol's inner circle during his term, usually used critically. A spin-off, 윤핵관 호소인, mocks people who merely claim to be in that circle.

Originally a Go term for splitting an opponent's territory — now a critical word for dividing people by region, gender, or generation to turn them against each other. Mostly aimed at political strategy, though some note it also gets used to dismiss dissenting views.

From "clacking dentures" — a derogatory word for elderly people, used online to mock older people's views or behavior. Widely criticized as ageist hate speech.