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The term 'Geunbon' began to be used frequently online after the 2010s. Its origin is notably attributed to the 'Geunbon Theory' presented in 2014 within the DC Inside Overseas Football Gallery, which criticized then-prospect Adnan Januzaj. Later, in 2017, when Januzaj became a forgotten prospect, this 'Geunbon Theory' was re-examined and applied to player Lee Seung-woo, becoming a major catalyst for its spread as a meme.

'Geunbon' is an internet neologism meaning tradition, archetype, or the standard/orthodox way. Originally, it was used in European football communities to evaluate a club's history, championship records, and players' professionalism. 'Having Geunbon' signifies possessing a long history and tradition, outstanding achievements, and a corresponding dignity or attitude. Conversely, 'lacking Geunbon' is primarily used to criticize clubs that have rapidly grown due to large capital but lack history or tradition, or individuals/groups who display unprofessional behavior. It has expanded beyond the simple concept of 'tradition' to encompass 'the fundamental basis for achieving great success.' In games, it can also refer to the connection with existing lore or background, or traditional playstyles.

This meme is primarily used actively in male-dominated online communities. It originated in overseas football galleries and spread to other sports communities like the KBO League and K League, as well as game communities such as FIFA Online, League of Legends, and Roblox. Therefore, it tends to be consumed mainly by male audiences who enjoy sports and games.

• "Teams like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and FC Bayern Munich are 'Geunbon-있는' (having Geunbon) clubs with overwhelming championship records and having produced numerous legends."
• "Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, and Paris Saint-Germain FC achieved success in a short period after being acquired by large capital, but in the past, they were sometimes criticized for 'lacking Geunbon'."
• In League of Legends, champions like Garen, Nasus, and Darius are called "Geunbon-있는 champions" as traditional top laners, but Vayne or Karma, who are not suited for the top lane, are classified as "no-Geunbon."
• Roblox users, nostalgic for the pure and classic games of the past, might say "the Geunbon of Roblox" or criticize recent updates and mass-produced games by saying they "lack Geunbon."
• There's also a recurring joke where Park Myung-soo tells Noh Hong-chul, "I have Geunbon because I'm a public audition comedian, but Noh Hong-chul is a 'Geunbon-없는' (lacking Geunbon) comedian picked up from the streets."

Since the criteria for 'Geunbon' vary from person to person, definitively stating whether a specific team or individual "has/lacks Geunbon" can be controversial. This meme is often used as a means of criticism, so excessive use can potentially devolve into racism or xenophobia, requiring caution. Furthermore, overemphasizing 'Geunbon' in sports or games might lead to overlooking actual skill or performance.

Geunbon (pronounced roughly as 'Goon-bon', with 'Goon' sounding like the 'goon' in 'goon squad' and 'bon' like the 'bon' in 'bon voyage').