열폭

Although the exact origin date is unknown, 'Yeolpok' appears to have first emerged around 2006-2007. The original phrase, 'inferiority complex explosion' (열등감 폭발), was first used on Japan's EnjoyJapan platform. However, the shortened form 'Yeolpok' originated in Korea. It is a long-standing internet meme that continues to be used consistently into the 2020s.

'Yeolpok' is an abbreviation of 'yeoldeunggam pokbal' (劣等感爆發), meaning 'inferiority complex explosion.' It signifies an intense outburst of inferiority complex, often manifested as jealousy towards others. Many people mistakenly use 'yeolpokhada' (to yeolpok) to mean 'to get excited' or 'to get angry.' However, its original meaning refers to an emotional state stemming from an 'inferiority complex,' not 'anger.'

As 'Yeolpok' has been consistently used since the early days of active internet culture, it is widely used by internet users of all generations, not limited to a specific age group or gender. It frequently appears in anonymous online environments such as online communities and games, especially when people are slandering or disparaging others.

• Some people enjoy it when others 'yeolpok' at them.
• In anonymous online games, when a highly-skilled player boasts by saying "I'm just a commoner" or "Look what I got," this behavior is sometimes described as 'inducing yeolpok.'
• When someone makes forced arguments to disparage attractive celebrities by raising plastic surgery suspicions or digging up their past, it can be said that they are 'yeolpokhada.'
• When criticizing someone, if the criticism seems unreasonable and rooted in an inferiority complex, it can be used sarcastically, like "Your yeolpok is truly impressive."

Although 'Yeolpok' originally means 'inferiority complex explosion,' many people often misuse it to mean 'exploding in anger' or 'getting angry.' Therefore, using 'yeolpokhada' when someone is simply angry can lead to misunderstanding among those who know its original meaning, and can obscure the true nature of the discussion. Since the late 2010s, with the emergence of other trending terms like 'geupbaljin' (sudden acceleration) and 'baljakbeoteun' (trigger button) that refer to 'anger explosion,' the misinterpretation of 'Yeolpok' as 'exploding in anger' has somewhat decreased.

Yeol-pok (열폭) Pronounced roughly as 'Yul-pok' or 'Yol-pok.' The 'Yeol' part sounds like 'yul' in 'yule log,' and 'pok' sounds like 'poke' without the 'e' or 'pock' in 'pocket.'