[Korean Culture & Language] So what TV

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People say ‘So what?,’ ‘Who gives?,’ or ‘And your point is?’ to imply that what someone has said sounds unimportant or doesn’t matter. It can be a rude comment, but it can also be funny and playful.

Koreans used to say ‘그래서? (So?),’ ‘어쩌라고 (So what?)’ or ‘응 아니야 (Umm, nope)’ to rudely express that they are not interested in what someone has said. Recently though, the term ‘어쩔티비’ or ‘어쩔TV’ has gained popularity. No one knows how the term was created or why they added ‘TV’ after the expression ‘어쩔’. Some claim that it is supposed to imply “So what? Stop talking and just watch the TV”. The term is known to be created by a ‘잼민이’. ‘잼민이’ is a slang term for ‘elementary school kid/little kid’. 

It is usually used to tease or annoy someone in a lighthearted manner.

Ex)
A: 네가 나를 불편하게 만들고 있어.
You’re making me feel uncomfortable.
B: 그래서? 어쩔티비?
So what? Why would I care?

Ex)
A: 너 홍준표가 개그맨 공채시험에 응시했다가 탈락한 적 있는 거 알아?
Did you know that Hong Joon-pyo, a famous politician and former prosecutor, once tried out to become a comedian?
B: 어쩔TV (And your point is?)

Ex)
A: 야, 너 오늘도 피아노 학원 안 갔지? 너네 엄마한테 말한다.
Hey, you skipped the piano lesson again today. I’m going to tell your mom.
B: 그러시든가요. 어쩔티비?
Whatever. Do you think I care?


https://twitter.com/3uHvXL4MR35ruhK/

According to some ‘잼민이s,’ ‘저쩔티비/저쩔TV,’ ‘어쩔 다이슨 v10 앱솔루트 (어쩔+Dyson v10 absolute-product name)’, or ‘절레절레, 전래동화(SMH, folktale)’ are good comeback examples for ‘어쩔티비/어쩔TV’. 


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