사료

The meme "사료" (saryo, pronounced 'Sah-ryo') emerged in the 2020s in the Korean gaming community, alongside the widespread use of self-deprecating terms like "개돼지" (gaedwaeji, literally "dog-pig") and "흑우" (heugu, literally "black cow"). Its popularity particularly coincided with the rise of issues concerning gacha/loot box items. Initially, it was primarily used for compensation given during game operational problems or controversies. However, around 2024, its meaning expanded to include regular free rewards or resources obtained through content updates, leading to its widespread use. The term gained further attention when various game company officials, such as Director Keum Kang-sun of Lost Ark and Directors Kang Won-ki and Kim Chang-seop of MapleStory, expressed their opinions on its usage.

"사료" (saryo) originally means animal feed. As a gaming meme, it's a self-deprecating term used by players who liken themselves to "개돼지" (dog-pigs) or "흑우" (black cows), referring to rewards or free items provided by game operators in a demeaning way. It carries a sarcastic nuance, implying that game companies appease player dissatisfaction or prevent player exodus by distributing paid currency or valuable items, much like feeding animals to calm them down. Currently, it's used not only for compensation related to controversies but also as a general term for all free benefits regularly provided by operators, such as maintenance rewards, event currency, and update celebration gifts.

It is actively used primarily by players who enjoy online and mobile games. It is particularly prevalent among users of large-scale MMORPGs with active player communities and frequent communication with game operators, such as MapleStory and Lost Ark. In the case of MapleStory, it shows a particularly strong tendency to be used by male players in their 20s and 30s.

• "This maintenance reward 'saryo' is quite generous."
• "The operators are distributing 'saryo' again to win over public sentiment."
• "I wonder what 'saryo' they'll give us if I log in today?"
• "If we keep hearing 'saryo, saryo,' then even the developers will start using the word 'saryo'... And then what if they implicitly start looking down on you? You are in a position where you don't need to call yourselves 'saryo,' so why do you keep demeaning yourselves by calling it 'saryo'?" (Statement by Director Keum Kang-sun)
• "Our heroes keep saying 'saryo, saryo,' but I wish you wouldn't. Please, just call it a 'gift' instead." (Statement by Director Kim Chang-seop)

Game directors have directly requested players to use terms like "gift" or "feast" instead of "saryo." While it is a self-deprecating expression for players, from the developers' perspective, it can lead to misunderstandings that they do not respect their users, and it can be perceived as devaluing the players. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from using this term in official communications with game operators or in situations where mutual respect is important.