[Korean Culture & Language] If anything, it's better

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Korean Gen Zers use the expression “오히려 좋아” when a situation that initially seemed unfortunate could actually lead to positive outcomes.

‘오히려’ means ‘If anything’
‘좋아’ means ‘it’s good/better’

Ex) 

A: 민규가 소개팅 해 준 사람 어땠어?
A: How was the blind date that Min-gyu set you up on?

B: 아, 어제 몸이 좀 안좋다고 취소하던데.
B: Oh, she told me she wasn’t feeling well and canceled on me.

A: 얼굴 보기도 전에 까인거야?
A: Did she already reject you before you even met?

B: 그런거 아니거든! 진짜 아픈 것 같았어. 그리고 오히려 좋아! 나도 캠핑하고 오전에 돌아와서 피곤했어.
B: No! She really seemed sick. And if anything, I was kind of relieved because I was exhausted from camping. I had just returned from my camping trip that morning.

Ex) 

A: 난 짜장면 시켰는데 짬뽕이 왔어.
   I ordered Jajangmyeon, but I got Jjamppong.
B: 헉, 어떻게 해?
   Oh no, what should we do?
A: 괜찮아. 안 그래도 짬뽕 시킬지 짜장면 시킬지 고민 됐었어. 오히려 좋아.
   It’s okay. It’s like they knew I couldn’t decide whether to order jjamppong or jajangmyeon. If anything, it’s better.

The Chinese/Korean idiom ‘전화위복 (轉禍爲福)’ also refers to situations that may actually have favorable results despite their negative appearance. 

‘전(轉)’ means ‘to turn’
‘화(禍)’ means ‘disaster’
‘위(爲)’ means ‘benefit (someone)’
‘복(福)’ means ‘fortune/bliss’

Have you ever experienced ‘전화위복’ before?