[Korean Culture & Language] Strange, Unfamiliar, Different

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‘너 되게 낯설다’ is one of the most famous lines from 개그콘서트(Gag Concert), the biggest comedy program in Korea. ‘너’ means ‘you,’ ‘되게’ means ‘very’ or ‘so,’ and ‘낯설다’ means ‘unfamiliar,’ ‘strange,’ or ‘different’.

‘너 되게 낯설다’ means ‘you’re being/acting differently today’. It is used when someone is acting differently or strangely that day. A comedian, Jung Seung-hwan invented the phrase. 

In the show, Park So-ra, who performed as Jung Seung-hwan’s girlfriend, says “오빠, 복근 만들 때는 윗몸 일으키기가 최고야!”. It means “Oppa, sit-ups/crunches are the best for making abs!”. Seung-hwan then stops smiling and replies “너 되게 낯설다 (You’re different today)”. Then he adds, “I guess you regularly make abs with other guys?”. Then the audience laugh.


‘낯설다’ is defined as:

1. 전에 보거나 만난 적이 없어 모르는 사이이다.
1. Someone who one has never seen or met before.

ex) 낯선 사람(들)에게는 무엇을 받지 않는 게 좋아.
You shouldn’t take anything from strangers.
ex) 저 사람은 얼굴이 낯선데?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before.

2. 전에 보거나 듣거나 경험한 적이 없어 익숙하지가 않다.
2. Something is unfamiliar to someone because one has never seen, heard, or experienced it before.

Ex)
A: 이 노래 들어본 적 있어?
A: Have you heard of this song?
B: 아니 이건 낯설어.
B: Nope, this sounds unfamiliar to me.
https://krdict.korean.go.kr/dicSearch/SearchView?ParaWordNo=41324

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