[Korean Culture & Language] Mask-swindler, Mask-victim


Hello, this is Uptempo!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone these days wears masks, making it challenging to recognize and remember each other’s faces. New terms like 마기꾼 and 마해자 have appeared as a result.

‘마기꾼(magiggun)’ is a combination of ‘마스크(mask)’ and ’사기꾼(swindler),’ while ‘마해자(mahaeja)’ is a combination of ‘마스크(mask)’ and ‘피해자(victim)’. 

The word ‘마기꾼’ refers to someone who appears overly attractive with a mask but not without it.

‘마해자’ refers to someone more attractive without a mask.


The scene in the video below illustrates a situation where a girl wonders if a seemingly gorgeous guy would still be attractive without his mask (If he would be a 마해자 or a 마기꾼). 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_WhQepjkeRA

At the beginning of the video, a girl says, “나의 눈은 속일 수가 없다. 저 남자는 내 남자가 분명하다. (You can’t fool my eyes. He is meant to be my man.)”

“양손에 반지 없고. 금요일 밤에 집에 간다고 어머니께 보고. (He has no rings on his fingers, and he informs his mother that he will be home on a Friday night.)”

“만프로 솔로다. (I’m a million percent sure that he’s single.)”

“하나 걸리는건 마스크… 마기꾼은 아니겠지? (The only thing that bothers me is the mask. I hope he’s not one of those mask-swindlers.)”

“아니, 모델급 키와, 단정한 오피스룩 셔츠 밖으로 삐져나온 잔근육의 존재감, 잘 정돈된 헤어스타일까지… 마기꾼일 리가 없어, 마기꾼이면 세상이 날 버린거야.
(I mean, he has a model-like height and wears a button-up shirt. Look at his toned arms and his well-groomed hair! He can’t be a mask-swindler. If so, then the universe must be totally against me.”

맥주. 맥주. 맥주. (Go for a beer. Get a beer. Go for a beer)

그렇지 그거지. (Yes, that’s right)

…

신분증 검사할께요.
(May I check your ID, please?)

마스크좀 잠시 내려주세요.
(Would you mind taking off your mask for a second?)

내가 보고싶던게 이거잖아.
This is what I’ve been looking forward to!

신혼여행은 몰디브가 좋겠어.
We should go to the Maldives for our honeymoon.

애는 둘은 있어야지. 아, 이름은 뭘로 하지?
We should have two kids. What should I name them?

아들이면 지호, 딸이면 지윤?
Jiho, if it’s a boy. Jiyoon if it’s a daughter.

네 확인 되셨습니다. 지윤이 아빠 봉투 담아드릴까요?
You’re good. Would you like a plastic bag, Ji-Yoon’s dad?


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