Korean Slang Words: 20+ Expressions You Need to Know

The Short Answer

The most widely used Korean slang word is 대박 (dae-BAK), meaning "jackpot" or "amazing." Thanks to K-dramas and K-pop, it has become one of the most internationally recognized Korean expressions. But Korean slang runs far deeper than a single word, from consonant-only internet abbreviations to portmanteau words that capture entire cultural phenomena.

Korean is spoken by approximately 82 million people worldwide, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. South Korea's rapid digital culture and global entertainment industry have made Korean slang one of the fastest-evolving vocabularies in the world. The National Institute of Korean Language (NIKL) adds hundreds of new words to its dictionary each year, many originating as youth slang.

"Korean internet slang represents a unique linguistic phenomenon: the structure of Hangul, where consonants carry meaning even in isolation, enables abbreviation patterns impossible in other writing systems."

(Academy of Korean Studies, Survey of Contemporary Korean Language Use)

This guide covers 20+ essential Korean slang words organized by category: everyday exclamations, internet abbreviations, Konglish expressions, food culture slang, and social commentary terms. Each entry includes pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context so you understand not just what Koreans say, but why.

Quick Reference: Korean Slang at a Glance

Everyday Exclamations

These are the slang words you will hear most in daily Korean conversation, K-dramas, and variety shows. They function as emotional reactions: surprise, disbelief, excitement, or frustration.

대박

대박 originally referred to hitting the jackpot in business or gambling. Over the past two decades, it evolved into an all-purpose exclamation of amazement. You can use it for genuinely great news ("대박, you got promoted!") or sarcastically for bad news ("대박... the flight is cancelled").

According to NIKL's usage data, 대박 consistently ranks among the top 10 most frequently used slang expressions across all age groups in South Korea. Its versatility is what keeps it relevant, unlike most slang, which fades within a few years.

헐

헐 is pure emotional reaction compressed into one syllable. It conveys disbelief, shock, or the feeling of being rendered speechless. Unlike 대박, which can be positive, 헐 usually leans toward surprise or mild dismay. You might hear it when someone shares unexpected gossip, when a plot twist hits in a drama, or when a friend cancels plans at the last minute.

The word has no etymology; it emerged from internet culture as an onomatopoeia of that gasping, open-mouthed reaction. Think of it as the Korean "OMG" but delivered in a single breathy syllable.

파이팅

파이팅 is arguably the most beloved Konglish expression in Korea. Borrowed from the English word "fighting," it has nothing to do with physical combat. It means "you can do it" or "let's go." You will hear it at soccer matches, before university entrance exams, and in virtually every K-drama when a character faces a challenge.

Some Koreans prefer the more Korean-sounding 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting), but both are equally common and interchangeable.

레알

레알 (from English "real" or possibly Spanish "real") is used exactly like the English "for real?" It adds emphasis or demands confirmation. Doubling it (레알레알) intensifies the effect, similar to saying "really really" in English.

Korean Internet Abbreviations

Korean internet slang is unique because of Hangul's structure. Each Korean syllable block combines consonants and vowels, but the consonants alone carry enough meaning for abbreviations. This creates an abbreviation system impossible in any alphabet-based language.

ㅋㅋㅋ

The consonant ㅋ represents the "k" sound, mimicking the sound of laughter. The number of ㅋ's matters: a single ㅋ can feel cold or sarcastic, ㅋㅋ is a polite chuckle, ㅋㅋㅋ is standard laughter, and ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ means something is genuinely hilarious.

There is also ㅎㅎㅎ (hahaha), which conveys softer, warmer laughter. Think of ㅋㅋㅋ as laughing at something and ㅎㅎㅎ as laughing with someone.

Konglish Slang

Konglish (Korean + English) words borrow English sounds but reshape them into uniquely Korean expressions. These are not just English words pronounced with a Korean accent. They carry meanings that would confuse a native English speaker.

셀카

셀카 comes from "self camera" (셀프 카메라), abbreviated Korean-style. South Korea is arguably the global capital of selfie culture, and you will find professional selfie studios, selfie-optimized cafes, and even selfie-focused beauty products throughout Seoul and other cities.

멘붕

멘붕 is a portmanteau of 멘탈 (mental, from English) and 붕괴 (collapse/breakdown). Despite its dramatic literal meaning, it is used casually and humorously, for forgetting your wallet, realizing you studied the wrong chapter, or watching your favorite K-drama character make a terrible decision. It is not used for serious mental health discussions.

꿀잼

Korean slang loves the 꿀 (honey) prefix. Honey represents the best, the sweetest, the premium version of something. So 꿀잼 means "the most fun," 꿀팁 (kkul-tip) means "golden tip/life hack," and 꿀피부 (kkul-pibu) means "honey skin" (flawless complexion).

The opposite of 꿀잼 is 노잼 (no-JAEM), literally "no fun," meaning boring or dull. Calling a TV show 노잼 is a harsh verdict.

Food Culture Slang

Korean food culture has generated its own slang vocabulary. These portmanteau words reflect how central eating and drinking are to Korean social life.

치맥

치맥 combines 치킨 (chikin, fried chicken, itself a loan from English) and 맥주 (maekju, beer). Fried chicken and beer together represent one of South Korea's most iconic food pairings. The concept is so culturally embedded that there are entire restaurant chains, delivery apps, and even a yearly 치맥 festival in Daegu dedicated to it.

The K-drama My Love from the Star (별에서 온 그대, 2014) catapulted 치맥 into international awareness when the main character famously declared her craving for chicken and beer during a snowstorm. Chinese viewers were so captivated that Korean fried chicken imports to China surged.

혼밥 / 혼술

In a culture that traditionally emphasizes group meals (회식, hoesik, company dinners), eating or drinking alone once carried a stigma. The terms 혼밥 and 혼술 emerged as solo dining became normalized among younger Koreans. Restaurants now advertise 혼밥-friendly seating, and convenience stores have expanded their single-serving meal sections.

Social Commentary Slang

Some of the most powerful Korean slang words capture entire social phenomena in two syllables. These terms reflect the pressures and realities of modern Korean society.

금수저 / 흙수저

The "spoon class" system (수저 계급론, sujeo gyegeumnon) became viral slang around 2015-2016 and has not faded since. It reflects a generation's frustration with perceived economic immobility. 금수저 (gold spoon) describes someone born into wealth. 흙수저 (dirt spoon) describes someone from a disadvantaged background. The full hierarchy also includes 은수저 (silver spoon) and 동수저 (bronze spoon).

This slang resonates because of South Korea's intense competition in education and employment. The Korean Language Society has noted that 수저 vocabulary appears not just in casual speech but increasingly in news articles, academic papers, and political discourse.

N포 세대

This term evolved over time. It started as 삼포 세대 (sam-po sedae, the "three give-up generation," giving up dating, marriage, and children) and expanded to 오포 (five things), 칠포 (seven things), and finally N포, where N represents an unlimited, ever-growing list. It captures the economic pressures facing Korean millennials and Gen Z, from housing costs to employment competition.

K-Pop and K-Drama Fan Slang

South Korea's entertainment industry has generated its own rich slang vocabulary, much of which has crossed over into everyday Korean.

덕후

덕후 traveled from Japanese (오타쿠 / otaku) through Korean internet culture to become a mainstream term. Unlike in Japan, where "otaku" can carry negative connotations, Korean 덕후 is often used with pride. The related verb 덕질하다 (deokjilhada) means "to engage in fan activities": buying merchandise, attending concerts, creating fan content.

팬심

팬심 captures the emotional core of Korean fan culture. It explains why someone buys multiple copies of the same album, waits hours for a concert, or defends their idol online. The word acknowledges that fan behavior is driven by genuine emotional attachment, a "fan heart."

귀요미

The 귀요미 송 (Gwiyomi Song) challenge went viral on YouTube in 2013, introducing this word to international K-pop fans. While the challenge has faded, the word remains firmly embedded in everyday Korean. You will hear it used for cute pets, babies, and K-pop idols alike. Explore more Korean expressions in our blog or watch them in action with Korean movies on our best movies to learn Korean guide.

How to Use Korean Slang Naturally

Knowing slang words is one thing, but using them appropriately is another. Korean has strict social hierarchies embedded in its language (존댓말/반말, formal/informal speech levels), and slang sits firmly in the informal register.

Practice Korean Slang With Real Content

Reading about slang gives you the vocabulary, but hearing it spoken naturally by native speakers is what makes it stick. Korean variety shows like Running Man and Knowing Bros are goldmines for casual slang, while K-dramas like Reply 1988 and Extraordinary Attorney Woo showcase generational and contextual slang differences.

Wordy lets you watch Korean movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap on any slang expression to see its meaning, formality level, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing words from a list, you absorb them from real conversations with authentic tone and delivery.

For more Korean language guides, explore our blog or check out the best movies to learn Korean. You can also visit our Korean learning page to start practicing today.