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Trend Lingo: K-Pop Star Jang Wonyoung’s New Positive Thinking Terms Are Taking Over

💎 What you'll learn in this post

📌 Heads up before you read

 

Overnight Sensation Words

 

⚡ Frequency of use by K-pop fans

★★★★☆


⚡ Frequency of use in general

★★★★☆


원영적 사고[wo-nyeong-jeok sa-go]

Ultra-positive thinking


This is a way of thinking that goes beyond just being positive.


The [wo-nyeong-jeok sa-go] (Wonyoung thinking) originated when Wonyoung was waiting in line at a bakery for an Oh Chocolat pastry, but the person in front of her bought the last one. Rather than getting upset or frustrated about having to wait for a new one, she said, "Wow, I'm so lucky! I can buy a freshly baked one instead!"


In Korea today, young people refer to Wonyoung's super positive attitude, even in situations where most would feel frustrated, as [wo-nyeong-jeok sa-go]. It's all about staying positive no matter what!


✅ 원영[wo-nyeong]: The name of IVE member Jang Wonyoung

✅ -적[-jeok]: A suffix that means 'having this quality', 'related to this', or 'in this state'

✅ 사고[sa-go]: Thinking, Thought



⬇ Check out the situation on YouTube ⬇



Let's have a look at the different reactions to a cup that is only half full of water!

😫 Negative thinking

"There's only half the water left."

😄 Positive thinking

"There's still half the water left."

🥰 Wonyoung thinking

[wo-nyeong-jeok sa-go]

"I was about to drink some water after training, and there was exactly half left! It wasn’t too much to finish, but it wasn’t too little to quench my thirst, so I thought, ‘How perfect to have just half!’ What a happy coincidence! 🍀"


In situations where something has already happened or when you can’t change things on your own, [wo-nyeong-jeok sa-go] can be very helpful. That’s why this new term, inspired by Wonyoung's positive attitude, was created and is gaining popularity among Korea’s Gen Z.

럭키비키[reok-ki-bi-ki]

Lucky situation


럭키[reok-ki]: Lucky

비키[bi-ki]: Vicky, the English name of Jang Wonyoung


A punchline and play on words combining 'Lucky' with Jang Wonyoung's English name, 'Vicky.'


[reok-ki-bi-ki] (Lucky Vicky) is derived from [wo-nyeong-jeok sa-go] and is used when you are in a lucky situation.


"It's [reok-ki-bi-ki]!"

"I'm [reok-ki-bi-ki]!"


And you can even replace 'Vicky' with your own name or your bias's name.


 

💬 Real Korean Expressions in Conversation

👧:  I went to the famous scone shop yesterday,

나 어제 유명한 스콘 가게 갔는데


and guess what? I was [reok-ki-bi-ki]

역시 난 럭키비키인게

→ I was lucky


because when I arrived, they had just pulled out some warm scones! 💛

내가 갔더니 방금 막 따뜻한 스콘이 나온 거야💛


So, I got to eat the freshly baked, warm scones!

그래서 나 새로 나온 따뜻한 스콘 먹었어!


 

You can start using it right away!

✨ LINE Chat stickers with phrases

Koreans use every day are now available ✨

 


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