그랜절

Meme Name: Grand Jeol

Grand Juhl [ɡrænd dʒʌl] (The 'j' is like in 'jam', and 'uh' is like in 'up'.)

'Grand Jeol' first appeared in Episode 93 of the Naver Webtoon 'Pegasus Market' (쌉니다 천리마마트) on June 7, 2012. Even long after the webtoon concluded, it became a meme and continued to be used steadily. Its popularity further surged with the drama adaptation of 'Pegasus Market' in 2019. Particularly from around 2020, expressions like "그랜절 박는다" (doing a Grand Jeol) and "그랜절 씨게 박는다" (doing a powerful Grand Jeol) became frequently used in online communities and on YouTube, gaining significant traction.

'Grand Jeol' is a portmanteau combining the English word 'Grand' and the Korean word '절' (jeol, a traditional bow), meaning a "grand" or "magnificent" bow. Originating from the Naver Webtoon 'Pegasus Market', it refers to "a bow performed by doing a handstand, going beyond merely prostrating oneself." This extremely difficult bow is used to express utmost respect and courtesy, offer a sincere apology, or make a desperate wish. As it is a very challenging and physically demanding maneuver, the act of performing it itself conveys sincerity and desperation.

Initially popular among readers of the webtoon 'Pegasus Market' and viewers of its drama adaptation, it is now widely used across all age groups who actively consume online content, including internet communities and YouTube. It is particularly familiar among viewers of internet broadcasts, as streamers often perform the Grand Jeol as a reaction to donations or during apology streams.

In internet broadcasts, it's used for donation reactions or to humorously defuse controversies, often accompanied by phrases like "Can't help it if it's a Grand Jeol." YouTubers occasionally perform it to thank subscribers, and it's sometimes seen in online communities like DC Inside for expressing gratitude. A Japanese aquarium gained attention for performing a Grand Jeol in desperation to attract customers. Yoo Byung-jae posted a Grand Jeol on Instagram as a New Year's greeting and also demonstrated it online. Park Je-eon, a player on '뭉쳐야 찬다 2' (Let's Play Soccer 2), performed a Grand Jeol as his audition and joining remarks, adding entertainment value. Hyundai Motor's YouTube animation 'The Return of Ssing Ssing-i' featured a parody of the Grandeur car doing a Grand Jeol.

As it is an extremely difficult physical maneuver to perform in reality, attempting it carelessly carries a very high risk of injury to the neck, back, and other body parts. Even in the drama, Chairman Kim Dae-ma warned, "If you do it too often, you'll hurt your neck," emphasizing its dangerous nature. Furthermore, for serious mistakes or major incidents, performing a Grand Jeol alone may not be sufficient to resolve the situation.