[Korean Culture & Language] Happen

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In Korean, “헤픈,” which sounds like “happen,” refers to a behavior where someone acts or says whatever they want, without being responsible for its consequences. It can also mean ‘easy’ or ‘shallow’

 

Ex) You’re such a spendthrift (You spend your money recklessly and irresponsibly without considering the consequences).
너는 씀씀이가 너무 헤픈 것 같아

 

Because shallow people are usually irresponsible
for their behaviors, the word may also be used to describe them.

Ex) 그녀는 헤픈 여자로 알려져 있다. 그녀는 하루 종일 남자들이 자신에게 관심을 가지도록 하는 데 시간을 보낸다.
She has a reputation for being shallow. She spends the whole day trying to get men's attention. 

 

Since someone who laughs or smiles a lot can be seen as ‘flirtatious’ in Korea, they also can be called ‘헤프다’. 

Ex) 너는 웃음이 너무 헤픈 것 같아
You laugh too much (Implied: You are giving everyone signs that you like them)

 

Matter of fact, there is a Korean song titled ‘Happen’ by a famous singer, HEIZE.

In Korean, the title is “헤픈 우연,” which means ‘easy coincidence’.

The lyrics sarcastically describes how ‘헤픈 (easy)’ it is for ‘우연(coincidences)’ to ‘happen’ in our lives.

 

This is how the lyrics go:

처음이라기엔 너무 길을 이미 다 아는 듯이
We were far too familiar with the place and the direction to claim that it was our first visit.

우연이라기엔 모두 다 정해진 듯이
To call it a ‘coincidence,’ everything seemed to be predetermined. 

우연히 눈을 떠 보니 이 세상에 태어나 있었고
When I opened my eyes, I was ‘coincidentally’ born in this world.

하필 네가 있는 곳이었다
Of all places, it was where you were.

 

Have you ever experienced a special ‘우연(coincidence)’ that has ‘헤픈(happened)’ in your life?

Or do you know of anyone who is ‘헤픈’ when it comes to doing something?