Hi from Hello Korea!
Have you seen some quirky Korean expressions in TikTok or Instagram comments lately? These days, they’re everywhere—from K-Dramas to K-Pop fandoms.
Here are 10 slang words that Gen Z in Korea actually use in 2025. We’ve included not just the meanings, but also the vibe and how they’re used! ✨
- 킹받네 / 킹받드라슈 (king-bad-ne / king-bad-deu-ra-syu)
🌀 Meaning: Used when you're super annoyed or mad (intensified form).
😤 Vibe: Funny but real frustration—can be playful or serious.
🗣️ Example: “Ugh this is totally king-badne lol”
- 어쩔티비 (eo-jjeol-ti-bi)
🌀 Meaning: A sarcastic way to tease or mock someone. “So what?”
😎 Vibe: Playfully dismissive, mockingly cool.
🗣️ Example: “I’m not playing with you~ eojjeol TV~”
- 갓생 (gat-saeng)
🌀 Meaning: Living a productive and admirable life like a god (God + saeng = life).
💪 Vibe: Used to praise someone for being hardworking or self-improving.
🗣️ Example: “Woke up at 6 AM again… living the gatsaeng life!”
- 억텐 / 찐텐 (eok-ten / jjin-ten)
🌀 Meaning: Eok-ten = forced enthusiasm / Jjin-ten = real excitement.
😅 Vibe: Used to describe someone’s energy level, especially in videos or broadcasts.
🗣️ Example: “That’s so eokten” / “This one’s definitely jjinten!”
- 내돈내산 (nae-don-nae-san)
🌀 Meaning: “I bought it with my own money” (not sponsored).
💸 Vibe: Emphasizing a genuine review or personal purchase.
🗣️ Example: “This lip tint is gorgeous. Totally naedonnaesan!”
- 알잘딱깔센 (al-jal-ttak-kal-sen)
🌀 Meaning: “Get it done nicely, neatly, and with good sense.”
🧠 Vibe: Asking someone to read the room and act smart.
🗣️ Example: “What to wear to dinner? Go with aljaltakkalsen vibes!”
- 꾸안꾸 (kku-an-kku)
🌀 Meaning: “Effortlessly stylish” — looks natural but intentionally done.
👕 Vibe: Casual yet chic fashion or makeup.
🗣️ Example: “How’s my outfit today? Kkuankku look, right?”
- 누칼협 (nu-kal-hyeop)
🌀 Meaning: “Did someone threaten you with a knife?” (mocking lame excuses)
😑 Vibe: Teasing someone for making excuses over their own choice.
🗣️ Example: “You said you were forced to buy it?” → “Nukalhyeop?”
- 맑눈광 (mal-nun-gwang)
🌀 Meaning: “Bright-eyed psycho” — pure-hearted but extremely passionate.
🤪 Vibe: Innocent looking but full of fire and energy.
🗣️ Example: “They’re such a malnunkwang—sprinting again like crazy!”
- 식집사 (shik-jip-sa)
🌀 Meaning: “Plant butler” — someone who takes care of houseplants.
🌿 Vibe: Soft, healing lifestyle; trendy plant-parenting.
🗣️ Example: “Lately, I’m living the perfect shikjipsa life~”
🧠 Final Note – Slang Reflects a Generation’s Soul!
These aren’t just random trendy words—they’re expressions of how Korean Gen Z feels and lives today.
Next time you see them in a K-Drama or K-Pop post, you’ll totally get the vibe. 😉
🤳 Want to stay updated on Korean Gen Z language & culture? Stick with Hello Korea for all the freshest trends!
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