아 진짜요

Meme Name: Ah Jinjjayo (아 진짜요) [Pronounced: Ah Jin-jja-yo]

This meme first gained recognition in 2018 when an idol fan shared their experience at a fan signing event on the online community 'Theqoo'. It then began to gain widespread public awareness after being parodied in the 'Ah Jinjjayo Syndrome' segment of XtvN's entertainment program 'Trendy Program' Season 2 on October 19, 2019. On June 10, 2020, the idol group N.Flying contributed significantly to the meme's spread by making a comeback with a song of the same name, <Ah Jinjjayo.>. Its popularity continued on January 21, 2021, when Kang Yu-mi uploaded an ASMR video on her YouTube channel featuring an idol concept that excessively uses "Ah Jinjjayo?".

"Ah Jinjjayo" is an expression used to show indifference or an insincere reaction to what someone else is saying. Literally, it means "Oh, really?" or "Oh, seriously?". However, when used as a meme, it primarily conveys a nuance of disinterest or annoyance towards the other person's story, often delivered with a blank expression or a perfunctory response. It's used to mock or express a lukewarm reaction that falls short of expectations, much like an idol giving a soulless "Ah Jinjjayo?" in response to a fan's passionate question at a fan signing. While seemingly empathetic, this expression actually takes the form of a closed-ended question that prevents the other person from continuing the conversation, effectively cutting off the flow of dialogue. It shares a similar meaning with the "salt response" (소금대응) in Japanese idol culture.

It is primarily used by young people in their teens and twenties on online communities and social media. Originating from idol fandom culture and frequently parodied in webtoons, it is particularly popular among K-POP fandoms and webtoon readers.

• Used when a friend is excitedly telling a story, and you respond with a perfunctory "Ah Jinjjayo" as if listening but not really paying attention.
• Used to describe a situation at a fan signing where an idol repeatedly responds with an expressionless "Ah Jinjjayo?" to a fan's questions.
• Idol group N.Flying's song <Ah Jinjjayo.>
• Kang Yu-mi's YouTube ASMR video

• XtvN 'Trendy Program' 'Ah Jinjjayo Syndrome' parody

• The webtoon 『The Girl Who Sharpens Her Knife』 features scenes where an idol repeatedly gives insincere fan service with "Ah Jinjjayo" at a fan signing.

Since this meme expresses indifference or insincerity towards what someone else is saying, it is best not to use it in serious conversations or situations where politeness is required. It could potentially offend or appear rude to the other person. It is most appropriate for creating humorous situations among close friends or online. While the interjection "Ah Jinjjayo?" itself is not problematic, its repeated use without any specific follow-up reactions or questions can be perceived as an insincere attitude.