What does heljoseon mean in Korean?
헬조선 Heljoseon
Also written: 헬조선이다
Meaning
Hell Joseon — a bitter nickname for hyper-competitive Korea.
- When
- Appeared around 2015, peaked around 2016
- Heard in
- society, self-deprecation, humor
- Feels
- negative, self-deprecation, satire
- Politeness
- Rude or crude in tone — fine with close friends, but avoid it with elders, teachers, or at work.
How Koreans use Heljoseon
월세 보고 헬조선을 느꼈다.
Saw the rent and felt Hell Joseon.
헬조선 탈출 드림.
The dream of escaping Hell Joseon.