[Korean Culture & Language] 밥은 먹고 다니냐?

Hello, this is Uptempo Marketers!

If you have Korean friends or love Korean culture, I am sure you have seen her before. Her name is Loopy, and she’s from the most popular kids’ show in Korea, ‘Pororo the Little Penguin’. The show is so popular among kids that it is even known to help kids stop crying. Show it to an unhappy kid, and they would sit and watch.

Because of its popularity, it wasn’t a surprise when Loopy stickers ranked first in the Korean emoji market upon release. They haven’t left the top 10 for over a year.

She does seem cute, and the show is highly ranked. But what really makes this sticker so popular? Koreans love twists and parodies. Especially when two popular things are put together, it becomes a pop culture craze. The Loopy sticker below says “밥은 먹고 다니냐,” which means “Do you eat alright?,” or “Have you eaten?”. 

In Korea, it is good manners to ask someone if they have eaten. It is like asking how they are doing. The meaning here has a twist, however. It’s a parody of a scene from a famous movie called ‘Memories of Murder’. 

(9) 살인의 추억 - 송강호와 박해일 - YouTube

In the scene, the actor asks a suspect “밥은 먹고 다니냐?”. He is essentially asking if he has any conscience left, since a guilty person usually loses their appetite and doesn’t eat well. It is also interesting because this line was made on the spot. The director asked the actor to imagine a detective who has to dismiss the case just because of lack of evidence. What final question would he ask the suspect? The actor thought of it on the spot. Many people interpreted this line differently. Some think that he’s asking how the suspect is doing after the murder, and if he has any conscience. Others interpreted it as “Since you’re a monster, do you eat like normal people do?”
Since it is such an intense scene, it is funny for a cute, innocent character to mimic him. This sticker can be used casually to a friend who should feel guilty toward you, or you could send it to someone who you actually want to ask how they are doing with a cute vibe. Loopy stickers are popular for many reasons. They have a good twist, make good parodies out of famous movies, and even addresses social issues with a cute face.

To learn more about the movie and the story please click the link below: www.(blog address)