[MZ Dictionary] Nookalhyeop... "Didn't You Know 9th Grade Public Officials Are Poorly Paid?"

'Who threatened with a knife?' abbreviation
Sometimes refreshing but can be toxic
Cutting off conversation context and blaming individuals

Editor's NoteWere you confused by the difficult language and behavior of the MZ generation? We help you understand without any misunderstandings. Real MZers reveal the true meanings.

Office worker Mr. A noticed something unusual while browsing articles.

On the 21st, ahead of the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, an article about public officials protesting against 'free labor' due to not receiving proper compensation received a comment saying "Nukalhyeop?"

Recently, even in articles where employees of a coffee franchise appealed for better treatment, or criticized customers who did not even tidy up simple trash like tissues and straws at the cafe return counter, netizens laughed and commented "Nukalhyeop".

Similarly, in an article about a security guard who took his own life due to insults, contempt, and power harassment, many netizens left comments saying, "It's unfortunate, but... Nukalhyeop?"

"Exactly, who threatened you with a knife?"

'Nukalhyeop' is an abbreviation of 'Nuga kal deulgo hyeobthakham?' which means 'Who threatened you with a knife?'

As in the examples above, it is a newly coined term used mockingly to say, "No one forced you at knife-point to do that job or work, so the choice you made is your responsibility. Therefore, do not raise issues or demand improvements related to it."

Expressions like "Who threatened you to do it?" have been used idiomatically. The proverb "If you don't like the temple, leave the monk" carries a similar meaning.

However, the term 'Nukalhyeop' was coined in July 2021 in a gaming community.

In a game, the highest-grade equipment at the time was enhanced with four random options. It was said that enhancing this equipment required investing several million won in real money.

But less than two months after this equipment was released, a higher-level equipment was introduced. This new equipment was said to have five options instead of the previous four.

Gamers who had enhanced the four-option equipment expressed dissatisfaction. However, since a lot of money was needed for enhancement, only a few complained, and most gamers dismissed the complaints as whining, saying, "Exactly, who threatened you with a knife to invest so much in equipment?" rather than debating the game company's release of new items within two months.

Later, as it spread to other gaming communities, it was used to tell critics of game management that if they didn't like the game operation, they shouldn't play the game.

'Nukalhyeop' spread beyond gaming communities to other online communities.

When some netizens made 'unreasonable' demands, such as "The government should guarantee my investment principal because my stock investment failed," the retort "Exactly, who threatened you with a knife to invest in stocks?" became a popular 'refreshing remark.'

Also, since it looks like an abbreviation of an association's name, like 'Uihyeop' for the Korean Medical Association, people sometimes say, "In this case, the position of Nukalhyeop is..." making it a representative internet meme that voices netizens' opinions.

'Nukalhyeop' that cuts off the flow of conversation in one stroke

[Photo by Pixabay]

However, as the use of 'Nukalhyeop' has expanded, criticism against it has also grown.

First, there is doubt about the idea of responding to 'unreasonable' remarks. Of course, there is 'common sense' accepted in society, but if everything is dismissed with "That's common sense," it becomes difficult to continue meaningful conversations.

For example, when opinions about improving treatment for service workers, public officials, or security guards are met with "Isn't it common sense that service jobs are hard?", "It's natural that public officials receive minimum wage according to labor laws," or "Power harassment of security guards has always existed, so they should have prepared for other jobs earlier," this 'personalization of common sense' can be used to dismiss constructive criticism.

Indiscriminate use of 'Nukalhyeop' is criticized for pushing socially vulnerable people into corners, encouraging conflicts between individuals, and undermining social solidarity.

The weapon 'Nukalhyeop' that drives individuals to the edge... It can happen to me too

[Photo by Pixabay]

It is not easy to say that an individual's choice is entirely their own will. Various reasons such as social structural causes or unavoidable personal circumstances at the time act in combination. Even if it is entirely personal will, individuals can make mistakes and sometimes wrong choices.

When a person's choice leads them down the wrong path, social security systems are meant to support them so they do not completely collapse.

However, Korean society has often failed to provide proper social security systems, instead viewing an individual's choice as simply a lack of personal effort and placing all responsibility on the individual.

Since society does not guarantee my safety, it may have been inevitable for members of society to fall into cynicism.

In that sense, 'Nukalhyeop' itself is a harsh criticism and a structural paradox born by Korean society.

If structural problems are no longer discussed because of being trapped in 'individual responsibility theory,' there will be no protective shield to guard me even if the blade of 'Nukalhyeop' turns toward me.

There are calls to resist the cynicism embedded in 'Nukalhyeop.' In a world where all problems are blamed on individuals, there is no room for political or social responsibility.

Late author Jo Se-hee of The Dwarf Launches a Little Ball said, "People in their twenties, never let go of the thread of hope. If you fall into cynicism, you won't be able to get out. You cannot accomplish common tasks or shared responsibilities. Cynicism is what our enemy likes the most."