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This meme originated from an image posted online around the third quarter of 2017. At the time, an image depicting a boss discouraging a subordinate from using Excel functions resonated with many office workers and quickly spread across various online communities. It gained significant traction, particularly highlighting the boss's 'kkondae' (old-fashioned, authoritarian) tendencies.

The 'Pang-shyeon Sseuji Maseyo' (pronounced roughly as 'Pang-shun Ss-uh-jee Mah-seh-yoh', meaning 'Don't use 'Pang-shyeon'') meme satirizes a boss who mispronounces Excel 'function' as 'Pang-shyeon' and instructs subordinates not to use Excel functions for data compilation and calculation. This meme represents a misapplication of the idiom 'udohalgye' (牛刀割鷄), meaning 'using an ox-slaughtering knife to kill a chicken' – implying overkill for a simple task. It criticizes the outdated mindset of a boss who considers Excel functions unnecessary or dangerous, despite them being appropriate tools for efficient data processing. The meme humorously expresses the empathy and frustration of office workers towards bosses with inefficient work methods or authoritarian attitudes (known as 'kkondae').

Mainly office workers in their 20s to 40s use and consume this meme. It particularly resonates with and is frequently used by those who regularly use Excel for work and have experienced irrational directives or 'kkondae' culture in the workplace.

This meme is primarily used in situations such as:

• "Assistant Manager Kim, I dare to offer some advice. It's nothing else, but please don't use Excel 'Pang-shyeon'? If there's convenience, there's increased risk. Does one need an ox-slaughtering knife to kill an ox, and a knife for a chicken? The easy way might be the right answer."
• It is used to mock or satirize situations where inefficient work directives or unnecessary manual labor are forced upon employees in the workplace.
• Recently, it has also been parodied in forms like "Don't use AI," criticizing bosses who have a negative view on the adoption of new technologies, not just Excel functions.

As this meme criticizes 'kkondae' culture in the workplace, using it directly towards an actual boss can cause offense or conflict. Particular caution is advised if the other person is unaware that their statements could be the subject of the meme. It is appropriate to use this meme in online communities or among close colleagues who can understand its humorous critical intent.