느님

The 'Neunim' meme first gained popularity in 2007 on DC Inside's Comedy Gallery (Kogal). It significantly spread by referring to actor Kim Hye-seong as 'Hyeneunim'. After 2012, its usage decreased as expressions like 'gap' (갑), 'shin' (신), and 'god' (갓) began to replace it. However, some specific expressions such as 'Yuneunim', 'Yeonneunim', and 'Chineunim' are still widely used.

'Neunim' is a neologism formed by dropping the first syllable 'ha' from 'Haneunim' (God) and used as a suffix. It is an extreme honorific used to express admiration and respect for individuals or characters who have shown outstanding performance or achievements in a particular field. It can be seen as an "upgraded" version of the honorific 'nim'. Grammatically, it is considered incorrect usage as 'Haneunim' is a single word.

"Nuh-nim" (rhymes with "duh-nim"). The "Nuh" sound is similar to the 'u' in "but" or "fun," and "nim" is pronounced like "neem."

It initially began among "idle netizens" who enjoyed internet subcultures. It spread primarily among younger generations (late teens to 30s) who actively use internet communities like DC Inside.

Initially, it was used for specific individuals, such as calling Kim Hye-seong 'Hyeneunim' and singer JOO 'Jooneunim'. Later, its scope expanded to include figures with outstanding achievements, like 'Yeonneunim' (Kim Yuna), 'Yuneunim' (Yoo Jae-suk), 'Joneunim' (Jo Sung-mo), and 'Gyuneunim' (Lee Kyung-kyu). It is also diversely applied to specific professions like 'Uineunim' (doctor), characters like 'Pponim' (Pororo), and food like 'Chineunim' (chicken). In 2016, a political discussion program even mentioned that only 'Yuneunim', 'Yeonneunim', and 'Chineunim' were worthy of being called the noble 'Neunim', highlighting its special significance.

In Catholicism, according to the commandment "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord," playful uses such as calling 'Lord' (Joo-nim) as 'Joo' (술, meaning alcohol) or attaching 'neunim' to chicken to make 'Chineunim' could be considered a grave sin. Although no official statement from a diocese has been confirmed, it is a phrase that can be sensitive from a religious perspective, so caution is advised when using it.