헬조선

"Hell Joseon" is pronounced like "Hell Joh-seon." The "Hell" part is pronounced like the English word "hell." "Joseon" is pronounced with "Jo" as in "Joe" and "seon" as in "sun" but with a slightly softer 's' sound, similar to "sohn."

The meme "Hell Joseon" first appeared in January 2010 on DC Inside's History Gallery in the form of "헬조센" (Hell Joseon). It began to spread explosively from 2014, and by 2016, it was used so frequently that it could be heard multiple times a day. The Sewol Ferry disaster in 2014 significantly influenced its spread, and in 2015, various media outlets reported it as a new buzzword. However, after May 2017, its frequency of use in media and daily life sharply decreased, though it can still be found in self-deprecating critical posts in online communities. A 2021 survey showed that 61.6% of people in their 20s still agreed with the premise that South Korea is a "Hell Joseon" society, indicating that while the meme's usage frequency decreased, the underlying social issues it represents remain valid.

"Hell Joseon" is a compound word combining "Hell" and "Joseon (朝鮮)," a historical Korean kingdom. It is a neologism meaning "South Korea is a society close to hell, with no hope at all." Initially, it was used on DC Inside's History Gallery as "헬조센" in the context of disparaging Korea and praising Japan. However, it gradually transformed into a self-deprecating term widely accepted to mean that Korean society is so difficult to live in that it's akin to hell. It is used to criticize various problems and shortcomings of Korean society, such as youth unemployment, economic inequality, excessive working hours, and the widening gap between rich and poor. It also alludes to the absurdity of a reality where social status becomes fixed according to economic scale, much like the class system of the Joseon Dynasty. Expressions like "Born in Hell Joseon, nooooreok (extreme effort) is needed" convey the frustration of a reality where it's hard to improve, no matter how much effort is put in.

This meme was primarily used by younger generations, especially those in their 20s and 30s, who felt frustration and critical awareness about the realities of Korean society. Those facing difficulties like youth unemployment, housing shortages, and social inequality, making it hard to find hope for the future, resonated with and used the term "Hell Joseon." It spread through internet communities and, along with other neologisms like "N-po Generation" (referring to those who give up on multiple things like dating, marriage, homeownership) and "Spoon Class Theory" (a social hierarchy based on inherited wealth), became a term representing the social critical consciousness of young people.

• "헬조선에 태어나 노오오오오오력이 필요해" (Born in Hell Joseon, nooooreok (extreme effort) is needed.)
• "나아진다는 희망 없다 '脫한국'이 답이다" (There's no hope for improvement, 'escaping Korea' is the answer.)
• "눈을 떠라 이 멍청아 지옥문 열렸다 시발점이 천양지차 승패는 갈렸다 불반도쓰레기스트" (Wake up, you fool, the gates of hell have opened. The starting points are vastly different, victory and defeat are decided. Fire Peninsula Trashist) - From the lyrics of <Hell Joseon>.
• "The time before Instagram was the best time... Back then, there was a military regime. A military regime. It was less democratic than now, and I was like this back then, you know? Me? I was like this back then. 'Huh? That uncle's hair is like the president's...' and my mom covered my mouth, you know? In the market? I still remember it. She said they'd take me away. Huh? Those were the days! Hey! That was Hell Joseon! Damn... Is omakase Hell Joseon? Huh? Isn't it? Being arrested for criticizing the president, that's Hell Joseon." - Jeong Seung-je

• Heartbreaking cases where people introduced as heartwarming stories in media like TV or movies are exploited by those who smell money are called "Hell Joseon-style happy endings," or "Hell-p-ending" for short.
• The tiger that gave up Hwanung's test in the Dangun myth (to endure 100 days in a cave eating only mugwort and garlic) and escaped the cave is sometimes called "Hell Joseon Escapee No. 1."

The term "Hell Joseon" originally started in the context of disparaging Korea and praising Japan, so it can be offensive to some people. It also tends to lump all problems of Korean society into a single word, which can lead to criticism for oversimplifying complex social phenomena. This term expresses extreme despair and criticism towards the country, so excessive use can give the impression of being pessimistic or lacking patriotism. Considering the decreased frequency of its use in the media after 2017, caution is needed when using it in formal or positive contexts. Sometimes, it can be associated with negative perceptions such as "elderly hatred" or "establishment hatred."