[Korean Culture & Language] Crossing the line

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‘선을 넘다 (Crossing the line)’ means to go beyond what is proper or acceptable. It often refers to breaking a set of unspoken rules or norms. It’s not always easy to recognize the ‘선’ because some people’s boundaries are more difficult to recognize than others. While hugging, touching, or kissing a family member may be appropriate, doing it to a coworker or a complete stranger may be considered inappropriate/crossing the line.

Below memes show the cases where someone or a company has ‘선을 넘다 (crossed the line)’:

The meme reads ‘마라 아이스크림. 지나치지 마라! 마라의 매콤한 맛과 소금 아이스크림 단짠의 절묘한 만남 Mala Ice cream. Don’t miss it! A unique blend of spicy mala and salty ice cream – the sweet and salty.’ 

The memer commented, ‘아무리 마라가 대세였지만 선 넘는 조합. 돈 주고 먹으라 해도 안 먹을 듯 (I understand that the mala craze in Korea is trending, but this combination has crossed the line. I would refuse to eat it even If someone offered me money.)'

조합 means combination

돈 means money

주다 means give

안 먹는다 means would not eat


The below meme is popular for ‘crossing the line’. Someone wrote ‘손흥민 잘 생기지 않았냐?? 방탄의 뷔 닮은 듯’. It means ‘Don’t you think Son Heung-min (A South Korean professional soccer player who does not resemble BTS’ V) is handsome? He resembles BTS.’ The memer wrote ‘손흥민 팬의 선 넘는 발언. 운동선수 중에선 잘생긴편은 맞지만…(I know Son Heung-min is handsome for a soccer player, but his fan crosses the line…)’

https://m.blog.naver.com/dkgoggog21/221642701192


Have you ever had the feeling that someone said something ‘crossed the line(선을 넘다)’? What was the comment?

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