틀니 ○일간 압수

This meme first appeared on January 13, 2019, in a comment on an online cafe. It originated as a reply, "틀니 2주간 압수" (Dentures confiscated for 2 weeks), to a "boomer-like" comment on a post about an employee being denied early leave due to illness. Its widespread popularity began in June 2019, when news broke about celebrity chef Shim Young-soon making "boomer-like" remarks—criticizing staff and swearing at Jeon Hyun-moo—on KBS's 'Boss in the Mirror' program. As this incident was similar to the earlier cafe post, the 'Dentures Confiscated for 2 Weeks' meme gained renewed attention and spread widely.

The phrase 'Dentures Confiscated for ○ Days' is primarily used to mock or criticize individuals who exhibit "꼰대" (boomer-like) remarks or behavior. The word "confiscate" (압수, apsu) typically implies an elder disciplining a junior by taking away their belongings. This meme cleverly reverses that dynamic, conveying the intent to "confiscate dentures to correct the behavior of 'old farts' acting like children." Furthermore, recognizing that articulation is difficult without dentures, it also implies "shut up and don't speak." Various spin-offs have emerged, with "confiscated" items including things typically associated with older people, such as Polident, yeonyang-gaeng (a type of jelly), red ginseng candy, hiking poles, magnifying glasses, or trot music. Prohibited activities include watching Gayo Stage or 6 O'Clock My Hometown, attending grandchildren's first birthday parties, entering senior centers, or playing Go-Stop. Over time, its use expanded beyond merely mocking "꼰대" figures to targeting specific groups or individuals. In such cases, the "confiscated" item is something commonly liked or owned by that group or person. For example, an 'Appdeung-i' (a derogatory term for an Apple fanboy/fangirl) might have their 'iPhone confiscated for 2 weeks,' while a 'Honmono' (a term for an otaku or weeb) might have their 'light novel confiscated for 2 weeks.' It can even be applied to pets, such as 'dog chew confiscated for 2 weeks' if a pet causes trouble. The meme can also be used in a positive sense. For instance, when a foreign player in sports like baseball or soccer performs exceptionally well, fans might say, "Passport confiscated for 2 weeks," expressing their fervent wish for the player to re-sign and stay in Korea.

The Korean phrase "틀니 ○일간 압수" (Teulni O Ilgan Apsu) can be pronounced by English speakers as:

• Teul-ni: Sounds like "tool-nee" (with 'oo' as in 'moon').
• O Il-gan: Sounds like "oh eel-gahn" (with 'oh' as in 'go', 'eel' as in the fish, and 'gahn' as in 'gone').
• Ap-su: Sounds like "ahp-soo" (with 'ah' as in 'father' and 'soo' as in 'soon').

So, roughly: "Tool-nee oh eel-gahn ahp-soo."

This meme is primarily used by the younger generation who are active in online communities, particularly those aged late teens to early thirties who hold a critical view of "꼰대" (boomer-like) culture. It is widely used by both men and women.

• To a comment like, "I wouldn't want to employ someone like you either. Young people these days..." → "Dentures confiscated for 2 weeks."
• "Young people these days, they have no perseverance." → "Dentures confiscated for 2 weeks!"
• "To my Apple fanboy friend who only uses iPhones: 'iPhone confiscated for 2 weeks!'"
• "My dog caused trouble again. Dog chew confiscated for 2 weeks!"
• "Our team's foreign player is so good! We need to confiscate his passport for 2 weeks to keep him in Korea!"

This meme inherently carries a meaning of criticizing and ridiculing "꼰대" (boomer-like) culture, and as such, it can be offensive to the recipient. Therefore, it should be used cautiously, considering the target and situation. Except for its positive applications (e.g., "passport confiscated" for a foreign player), it generally carries a strong derogatory nuance and is best avoided in formal settings or situations requiring politeness.