[Korean Culture & Language] 길캐

Hello, this is Uptempo!


Korean idols have gained international recognition in recent years for not simply their distinctive and vibrant music and intricate choreography, but their eye-catching visuals.

Photo by Patrick on Unsplash

One of the main reasons for their amazing visuals is due to the ‘길거리 캐스팅(Street-casting)’. There are various street casting agents that search for the most attractive faces on the street. When they find one, they approach them and notify them that they fit the role visually. In short, Koreans call it ‘길캐’. In the video below, one girl tells about how she got ‘길캐ed’.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q133D3SZd0

“내가 핫도그를 들고 멍 때리고 있는데, 갑자기 어떤 여자분이 막 나한테 돌진하는거야. (I was spacing out with a hot dog in my hand, and this lady suddenly dashed toward me.)”

“헐 뭐야? (Eek, what?)”

“갑자기 무섭게 와 가지고 가방을 막 뒤지더니, 명함을 탁 주면서 나한테 아이돌 해볼 생각 없냐 하더라고. (She dashed toward me, rummaged through her purse, handed me her business card, and asked if I wanted to be an idol.)”

“그게 말로만 듣던 길캐 아니야? 대박이다! (Isn’t that what they call ‘길캐(street-casting)? That’s so cool!)”

Then another girl interrupts by saying, “원래 롯데월드에서 개나 소나 길캐 당하는 거 국룰 아니야? (Doesn’t everyone get 길캐ed at Lotte World?)”

난 중딩 때 롯데월드 열번 가면 아홉 번은 길캐 되던데… (I used to get 길캐ed 9 out of 10 times at Lotte world when I was a middle schooler…)”

She continues, “나 길에 나가서 남자랑 눈 마주치잖아? 그럼 다 내 번호 따러 온다? (Every time I make an eye contact with someone on the street, they come up to me and ask for my number)”.

Toward the end of the video, however, she is revealed to have lied about everything. They referred to her as a ‘허언증 환자(pathological liar)’.

Have you ever been 길캐ed before? Or do you know someone who has been 길캐ed?

Why do you think some people have 허언증? What are your strategies for dealing with people who have it?

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