금융치료

금융치료 (Geum-nyung-chi-ryo)

'Geum-nyung-chi-ryo' is believed to have emerged as a neologism in 2020. It gained significant popularity, especially among office workers in their 20s and 30s and Gen Z. This spread by satirizing the phenomenon of severe work stress being alleviated by salary, or by referring to the act of gaining enjoyment by sponsoring streamers on internet broadcasts. Initially, it was mainly used in a positive sense, but its negative usage increased after the bubble burst of investment assets like stocks, cryptocurrencies, and real estate in the summer of 2022. Currently, both meanings are actively used.

'Geum-nyung-chi-ryo' is a neologism meaning to receive psychological treatment through money. It is used with two largely contrasting meanings.

Firstly, in a positive sense, it metaphorically refers to the healing of symptoms like Monday sickness or lethargy (not wanting to work) when a large sum of money, whether expected or not (e.g., salary, stock profits, allowance, sales), comes in, leading to an excessive release of dopamine and happiness. It is also used in situations where an unfriendly store becomes kind after a customer spends a lot of money, or in welfare policies where a stable economic foundation is provided for patients suffering from depression due to poverty, thereby increasing treatment effectiveness.

Secondly, in a negative sense, it metaphorically refers to a situation where financial losses, such as plummeting cryptocurrency and stock values, fines, settlement money, penalties, or damages, force someone to reflect on a particular action or to reflect on their own. It is also used sarcastically to describe a perpetrator who initially acts arrogantly after causing an incident but changes their attitude when faced with a large fine or compensation. This can be seen as the financial version of 'In-sil-joj' (a Korean slang term implying someone gets what they deserve). It is also used when someone incurs huge debts due to thoughtless speculation, suffers, and gains a realization, saying they 'received financial treatment'.

This meme is primarily used among Gen Z office workers. Specifically, those in their 20s and 30s frequently use 'Geum-nyung-chi-ryo' in its positive sense, and it is also actively used among viewers who watch and sponsor internet broadcasts, as well as streamers themselves. The negative meaning is widely used in various online spaces, including comments on online communities related to real estate, stocks, and politics.

• I was contemplating resigning because I didn't want to work, but then an unexpected bonus came in on payday, and it was like financial treatment.
• The other party hit my car while drunk driving, so I gave them some financial treatment.
• I prescribed financial treatment to a red-light violator using my car's dashcam.

• Coin A, which I bought with hundreds of millions of won in debt, plummeted to one-tenth of its value with the bubble burst, and I received financial treatment.

'Geum-nyung-chi-ryo' carries both positive and negative meanings simultaneously, so caution is needed as it can lead to misunderstandings depending on the context. Especially when used in a negative sense, it carries a strong nuance of sarcasm or criticism towards someone's financial loss, so it should be used carefully, considering the situation and the other person. Furthermore, one of the meme's origins, 'relieving stress with money,' can provide temporary relief, but it's important to recognize that money itself has relative value, which can lead to renewed stress from endless comparisons or a desire for more money, potentially resulting in speculative behavior.

"Guhm-nyung-chee-ryoh"