[Korean Culture & Language] Love or Hate

Hello, this is Uptempo Marketers!


Everyone has different 취향(tastes) for 음식(food), 옷(clothing), and even 사람(people). Certain things are more commonly accepted, while others are highly dependent on personal preference. If a large number of people have strongly polarizing views on a certain food, fashion, or person, it’s called ‘호불호가 갈리는 (음식, 옷, or 사람)’. 

‘호’ means ‘like,’ and ‘불’ means ‘not’. 

‘호불호’ is directly translated to ‘love or hate’

According to Spoonuniversity.com, pineapple pizza is the most impassioned food debate of all time. The two sides appear to be evenly split and equally determined. Some argue that the sweetness of pineapple complements the saltiness of pizza, while others argue that pizza is supposed to be a savory meal, and its integrity shouldn’t be disrupted.

https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/13-times-tumblr-memes-got-too-real-about-food


민트초콜릿 (mint chocolate) is another highly ‘호불호가 갈리는 음식’.

Even though many people hate mint chocolate and say mint chocolate tastes like toothpaste, it remains popular and profitable. Matter of fact, it was the fourth most popular ice cream flavor in the United States according to a poll done by the International Dairy Foods Association(IDFA) in 2017. 


People can also have divisive opinions about others or their fashion.

Ex)

A: 쟤 너무 잘생긴 거 같지 않아? (Isn’t he cute?)

B: 귀여워 보일 수도 있겠다. 그런데 저런 패션 안 좋아하는 여자도 많지 않아? 호불호가 갈리는 패션이야. (I get where you’re coming from. But don’t you think some girls wouldn’t like his fashion sense? He would either be loved or hated).


Below are some drinks that are known to have strong ‘호불호’ in Korea:

  1. 맥콜 (A coke that tastes like beer)

  2. 데자와 (Loyal milk tea sold in convenient stores)

  3. 솔의 눈 (Strong herb tasted ‘pine leaf’ tea sold in convenient stores)

  4. Dr. Pepper

  5. 민트초코우유 (Mint chocolate milk)

슈뢰딩거의 음료수

https://namu.wiki/w/%ED%98%B8%EB%B6%88%ED%98%B8


It’s completely natural for people to have different likes or opinions on certain things. However, the term ‘호불호’ is used when there are two strong opposing opinions on something and there’s usually no middle ground. 


Anything comes to your mind when you think of a ‘호불호 강한’ subject?

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