관종
gwanjong
The Korean phrase for "attention seeker" is 관종 (gwanjong).
관종 is used to describe a person who behaves in a way designed to attract the attention of others. You can use the noun alone or use it in a sentence as 관종이다 to mean "is an attention seeker" by adding the verb 이다 (to be).
What does it mean word for word?
The term 관종 is an abbreviation of the phrase 관심 종자, which literally translates to "attention seed".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
관종 is a slang term. Because of this, it can be highly offensive or derogatory depending on the context in which it is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the act itself, you can add the suffix -짓 to the word to create 관종짓, which means "attention-seeking behavior" or "attention-seeking antics".
How do you pronounce it?
gwanjong
Did you know?
- While 관종 is often an insult, some Korean internet users and influencers embrace the label as a badge of honor. They may call themselves 관종 to signal that they are confident and unapologetic about their desire for fame.
- The original term 관심 종자 is avoided in polite speech because 종자 refers to biological breeding stock. Applying a word for 'seeds' or 'breeds' to a human being is seen as dehumanizing.
- In Korean digital culture, a person who is a 관종 is often contrasted with the 'silent majority' or 'lurkers' known as 눈팅족. While one seeks the spotlight, the other is defined by the act of watching without interacting.
Examples in context
- 그 남자는 항상 주목받고 싶은 사람입니다.That man always wants to be noticed.
- 나는 주목받기를 좋아하는 사람이 아니야.I'm not someone who likes to be noticed.
- 그 사람은 완전 관종이야.geu sarameun wanjeon gwanjong-iya.That person is a total attention seeker.
- 관종처럼 행동하지 마.gwanjong-cheoreom haengdong-haji ma.Don't act like an attention seeker.
- 요즘 인터넷에는 관종이 너무 많아.yojeum inteoneseneun gwanjong-i neomu mana.There are too many attention seekers on the internet these days.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Subin are talking about a classmate's social media post.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈아, 이 게시물 봤어?Subin-a, i ge-si-mul bwa-sseo?Subin, did you see this post?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 진짜 관종 같다.eung, jin-jja gwan-jong gat-da.Yeah, they seem like a total attention seeker.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아, 너무 심한 것 같아.ma-ja, neo-mu sim-han geot gat-a.Right, I think it's too much.
- 수빈 Su-bin관심을 정말 받고 싶나 봐.gwan-sim-eul jeong-mal bat-go sip-na bwa.I guess they really want attention.
