[New Slang Dictionary] Ssapganeung - Nothing Is Impossible

The life of Misty Rhone, a dancer and educator who actively works despite having hallux valgus, demonstrates the power of positivity that turns the impossible into possible. Photo by twitter

[Asia Economy Reporter Heeyoon Kim] Misty Ron, a girl living in Onalaska, Wisconsin, USA, decided to become a dancer after being inspired by a dance performance she saw by chance. However, she suffered from in-toeing. In-toeing, a condition where the area below the ankle hardens and the sole of the foot turns inward due to an ankle joint abnormality, was like a shackle for Ron, who dreamed of becoming a dancer. Her family and those around her warned her of the risks and tried to dissuade her, but no one could stop the dream that had taken root in her heart. Since the age of three, Ron had taken dance classes as a hobby, and those around her thought it was just a pastime and part of a cultural education, but her thoughts were different. She began to straighten her feet to dance, and the confidence that had shrunk along with her crooked feet was restored with the thrill of dancing. Balancing both studies and dance, Ron persuaded her parents with her rapidly improving dance skills and boldly established a dance studio named after herself, growing it into one of the top 50 in the United States. She runs the online magazine 'MoreThanDancers.com,' sharing her determination that turned failure into possibility and her experiences as a dancer with many people.

The term ssapganeung (쌉가능) is a compound word derived from 'ssapjilhada' (to dig or toil) and 'ganeung' (possible), used as a prefix to emphasize 'completely,' meaning a state of being completely possible. In the harsh lives of young people overwhelmed by giving up, failure, distrust, and poverty, ssapganeung emphasizes a possible situation and feels like a comfort thrown to the generation and oneself beyond playful language culture. Misty Ron, who showed ssapganeung in her life, explains in her book about the dream that made the impossible possible: "When you know what you love most or discover the purpose you were born for, you gain the ability to make a greater impact on this world," adding, "because you work with greater confidence than just dreams and hope." Could the power of positivity that turned the impossible into possible be hidden within ssapganeung?

Example

A: Oh no, I submitted my application to OO Group yesterday but forgot to finish the last sentence.
B: Hey, it's okay. You can edit it after submission~ Fix it quickly.
A: Really? I’m totally saved. I was so nervous.
B: That’s exactly when you have to be ssapganeung. But it’s more important to check carefully before submitting.
A: True. I’ll be more careful when applying next time.