[MZ Dictionary] 'Jungggeokgeuma'... It's Okay to Be Broken, You Get Back Up Again

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

After finishing overtime work, office worker A arrived home and collapsed on the sofa without even changing clothes. Not only was the overtime exhausting, but a harsh comment from the boss left A feeling very upset.

Even though A wants to enjoy delicious late-night snacks, the increased weight makes it hard to order delivery easily.

Reading internet articles, there are numerous reports about high-ranking officials' children using drugs, and rumors say they are easy to get in the back alleys of busy districts. A feels doubtful whether only they are struggling to maintain their daily life.

Out of frustration, A complains to a friend via messenger, saying, "'Jungkkyeokma' is the phrase, but what if it's already broken?"

Friend B replies casually.

"Hey, these days it's 'Jungkkyeokgeuma'"

'Jungkkyeokgeuma' is a variation of 'Jungkkyeokma'

[Photo by YouTube 'Hal Myung-su' video capture]

'Jungkkyeokgeuma' means 'the important thing was kkyeok (to break), but still having a geu (just) ma (mind/heart)'.

To understand 'Jungkkyeokgeuma', you need to know 'Jungkkyeokma' first, as 'Jungkkyeokgeuma' is a variation of 'Jungkkyeokma'.

One of the top buzzwords of 2022, 'Jungkkyeokma' originated from a report covering an interview with a player from the professional esports team DRX participating in the 'League of Legends 2022 World Championship'.

After DRX's defeat, a player said in an interview, "We lost today, but as long as we don't break among ourselves, we can definitely win." This was reported under the headline, "Losing the group stage match is okay, the important thing is an unbreakable heart."

Later, as DRX wrote a comeback story and ultimately won the championship, this phrase became a hot topic in the League of Legends community and spread to other fields.

The phrase became a nationwide buzzword during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. After South Korea secured advancement to the round of 16 with a comeback victory against Portugal, the team appeared holding a Taegeukgi (Korean flag) with the phrase "The important thing is an unbreakable heart," which attracted attention.

In the Taegeuk Warriors' dramatic comeback, 'Jungkkyeokma' was not just a simple consolation but a heartfelt message to the public.

What we need to protect our daily lives is 'Jungkkyeokgeuma'

[Photo by Korea Football Association Twitter]

However, the 'Jungkkyeokma' craze was also a burden for office workers.

There is no grand cause in office life, and enduring without breaking does not bring national glory.

In the days of being pushed around here and there, 'Jungkkyeokma' can feel too distant.

In such situations, broadcaster Park Myungsoo's take on 'Jungkkyeokgeuma' represents their feelings.

On his YouTube channel 'Hal Myungsoo', while facing difficulties during a trip to Dokdo, the production team encouraged him by saying, "The important thing is an unbreakable heart," urging to find a way in tough situations. Hearing this, Park Myungsoo retorted, "The important thing is that even though it's broken, you just keep going."

A screenshot of this moment quickly spread and became an internet meme, resonating with ordinary office workers living 'ordinary lives'.

This phrase has been used as a title in numerous daily blog posts and daily vlog YouTube videos, expressing the feelings of many.

"Life is a series of breaks... Even if broken, you must keep branching out"

Later, on KBS's 'Park Myungsoo's Radio Show', Park introduced 'Jungkkyeokma' in a segment about trending search keywords.

He explained the reason for twisting 'Jungkkyeokma' as, "Ordinary people like us face too many breaks," adding, "But does that mean we stop? The important thing is the heart that keeps going even after breaking."

He continued, "I get broken every day. I get disappointed and give up dozens of times a day," and added, "But I overcome it again. Life is a series of breaks. Even if broken, you have to keep branching out?that's life."

Meanwhile, Park Myungsoo is famous for twisting existing sayings to create new ones. His sayings are praised for being 'realistic' and relatable.

Representative examples include "The early bird is tired," "If you can't enjoy it, avoid it," and "Dust collected is still dust."