[Korean Culture & Language] One without wrinkles


Hello, this is Uptempo!

Many people today aim to maintain a youthful appearance. Undoubtedly, one of the main factors that make one’s face look older is wrinkles. In Korea, wrinkles are called ‘주름’ or ‘주름살.’

Ex) 

A: 나 피부과 한번 가서 관리받아야 할 것 같아. 눈 주위에 주름이 생기기 시작했어.
A: I think I will need to go see a dermatologist soon to get treated. I have started to get wrinkles around my eyes.
B: 얼마 전에 스위트 피부과 가 봤는데 좋더라. 거기 완전 추천해!
B: I recently received treatment at the Sweet Skin Clinic, and I was pretty happy with the results. I highly recommend that place!

Koreans also use ‘wrinkles’ to describe one’s personality.

‘구김살’ means wrinkles, folds, or creases.

‘없다’ means ‘don’t have.’

‘구김살 없다’ is directly translated to ‘one doesn’t have wrinkles or creases.’ The expression is used to describe someone who is bubbly and cheerful and is unlikely to "frown," which causes wrinkles. Even though the expression typically has a positive connotation, it sometimes is used to criticize someone who is overly naïve or lacks social skills.

In the video below, titled “구김살(Wrinkles/Creases)”, the girl who works at the restaurant asks Dong-deok, “알바 처음 해 보세요? (Is this your first time working part-time?)”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7AQ-5YvmCU

She is implying that Dong-deok is too naïve and doesn’t seem to know what to do at work. Dong-deok doesn’t seem to have any ‘구김살.’

Do you have a ‘wrinkled’ personality? Or have you ever met a person who has no ‘구김살?’

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