[Korean Culture & Language] Effortlessly Chic

Hello, this is Uptempo!


When a specific item, shape, color, or other new look becomes increasingly popular, it becomes a fashion trend. The trend is usually influenced by social, cultural, political, environmental, and psychological factors.

While ‘꾸안꾸’ was popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘꾸꾸’ has become highly popular during the endemic. 


‘꾸안꾸’ is short for ‘꾸민듯 안꾸민듯 꾸민,’ which means ‘Effortlessly chic’ or ‘cool effortless look.’


Ex)
A: 오늘 민지가 소개 해 준 사람 만나러 가는데, 서로 편하게 만나기로 했거든. 어떻게 나가는게 좋을까?
A: I’m meeting that guy today that Min-ji set me up with. This is supposed to be casual. What should I wear?

B: 그럴 땐 꾸안꾸로 나가야지.
B: You should go for an ‘effortlessly chic’ look.


‘꾸꾸’ is short for ‘꾸민듯 꾸민,’ which means to ‘doll up’ or ‘dress up.’ 


A: 이번주 토요일에 처음으로 남자친구 부모님 만나기로 했어. 너무 긴장 돼!
A: I’m meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time this Saturday. I’m so nervous!
B: 오! 잘 하고 와. 뭐 입을거야?
B: Oh! Good luck. What are you going to wear?
A: 모르겠어. 완전 꾸꾸스타일로 가야하지 않을까?
A: I’m not sure. I guess I should really dress up.


It is important not to confuse 꾸꾸 with 꾸꾸꾸, because 꾸꾸꾸 is an abbreviation for ‘꾸며도 꾸며도 꾸민 것 같지 않다(It seems like you’ve tried so hard to look good, but you don’t)’ or ‘꾸며도 꾸며도 꾸질꾸질하다 (Despite your best efforts to dress up, you still look awful).’

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