Gukppong (Korean: 국뽕) is a derogatory Korean word that is used to pejoratively describe a [South] Korean nationalist.

Gukppong
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGukppong
McCune–ReischauerKukppong

The word is often used to call out nationalists who are overly patriotic and bring in negative attention towards Korea.

Etymology edit

The word is made up of the Korean word "guk" (), which means country, and "pon" () which is believed to have originated from the word "philopon" (覚醒剤), which is a Japanese slang for the drug methamphetamine. As a result, the word literally means "intoxicated with nationalism".[citation needed]

History edit

The term was first used in DC Inside, a South Korean imageboard. The ultranationalists would excessively ask foreigners questions about Korean culture. For example, "Do you know Psy?", "Do you know kimchi?"[1] Many users believed that these actions were excessive and rather ironically humiliating to Korea. So, in means of insulting the ultranationalists, users developed the word, "guk-ppong,"[2] and began replying to nationalist posts, such as the ones mentioned above, with the word.

Shortly after guk-ppong's creation, the term ''Guk-kka'' also began to appear. The word is the exact opposite of guk-ppong, being used to describe Koreans who are rather unproud and disloyal to South Korea. Guk-kkas are known for their frequent posting of the phrase, 'Ddong song hap ni da' (똥송합니다), which roughly transliterates to "I am sorry that I am Asian." Similarly to guk-ppong, DC Inside's users began replying to anti-Korean posts with guk-kka.

Effects edit

Social effects edit

"Guk-ppong's" social effects show an act of emphasising and encouraging unconditional patriotism. On the contrary, there are tendencies to criticise and discredit these patriotic elements. In fact, speech of president Park Geun-hye on the independence day of 2016 was also criticised as "'Guk-ppong' speech that is drunk with patriotism."[3] The Japanese media Nikkei reported that intellectuals and media who warn young people from using new internet phrases criticising their homeland are increasing.[4] Sociologists say "Guk-ppong" is not a pride, but an exaggeration to conceal the sense of inferiority and anxiety.[5] Director Ryu Seung-wan, who directed <군함도>, commented related with the word "Guk-ppong" : "I wanted to be judged only by the movie, but I couldn't do it with Korean sentiment. In the movie, it is possible that the two sides are simultaneously engaged in "Guk-ppong", pro-Japanese."[6]

Cultural influences edit

A film based on history cannot avoid controversy over the "Guk-ppong" and the distortion of history.[7] Now a "blackout galley" following the merge with the "Hell-Chosun gallery" in "DC inside", the "Guk-ppong gallery" was opened on September 4, 2015, following the establishment of a "gallery of Hell-chosun".[8] Guk-ppong Content is consumed entirely in the form of people enjoying culture.[9] Modern and contemporary history is shunned by the younger generation as Guk-ppong deprives nationalism and patriotism.[10] Additionally, famous South Korean history instructors, such as Seol Min-seok and Choi Jin-ki, have stirred up in broadcasting and education circles, under the criticism of the "Guk-ppong" missionaries.[11]

Criticism edit

Some make the critique that excessive nationalism is causing excessive national attention[12] that is the enlargement of Korean culture patriotism crying out "Aunt, Please give me a plate of skate!"[13] speaking with a broad accent in front of the camera. Also in the golden age of history, Some point out that the desire for great ancient history is blatant without distinct of conservatism and progressivism, ruling party and opposition party. Because the reality surrounding us is so hot, everyone is going to leave the country in history.[14] Song Joong-ki said, "Actually, I don't think the meaning of the word Guk-ppong is accurately established. Many people were confused with the words of appealing to pity. Don't blindly follow what is unrighteous, but I don't know why they shouldn't love South Korea. I think it could be connected to that. If I get the right criticism, I'll be able to talk, but I'm not afraid if I have right thinking."[15]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "나라 망신 부르는 '국뽕'을 아십니까 - 일요시사" (in Korean). 2015-02-23. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  2. ^ "국뽕" (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  3. ^ "박 대통령 광복절 축사에 '애국심 도취 국뽕 연설'" (in Korean). 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  4. ^ "日언론 국뽕·헬조선…한국 젊은층에 신조어 확산". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  5. ^ "[국제 칼럼] 자긍심과 '국뽕' /염창현". 국제신문. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  6. ^ "<군함도> 류승완 감독 인터뷰 - '국뽕'과 친일 두 가지 논란이 동시에 불거지다니..." 씨네21 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2017-10-14. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  7. ^ "국뽕‧역사 왜곡 논란 '문제적' 영화들 7편". 1boon (in Korean). 2017-07-31. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  8. ^ "자국 비하 게시판 왜 만들지…헬조선갤 개설 어리둥절". Kukmin Ilbo. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  9. ^ "국뽕이 정말 위험한 이유". brunch (in Korean). 2016-10-14. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  10. ^ "'국뽕' '신파' 버리니 근현대 역사물 잘나가네". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  11. ^ "기승전 '국뽕'?… 설민석 열풍 어떻게 볼까". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  12. ^ "저만 '국뽕'이 불편한가요?" (in Korean). 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  13. ^ ""국뽕, 감성팔이 영화 NO! 이젠 사람 중심으로!"" (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  14. ^ "'국뽕' 역사야 물럿거라". Hankook Ilbo. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  15. ^ "'군함도' 송중기가 밝힌 #촛불 #'국뽕' #일본" (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-12-11.