지못미
[ji-mot-mi]
sorry I didn’t get your back
Meaning & context
이 표현은 사실 ‘지켜주지 못해 미안해’의 약자이다. 이것은 특별히 공인인 배우들, 모델 들, 가수들, 혹은 다른 유명인사들에게 쓰인다. 이들이 부정적인 것(파파라치, 못된 괴롭 힘, 비밀스런 과거 사진 유출 등)으로 부터 상처를 입을 때 팬들이 온라인상에서 쓰는 말 이다.
This expression is actually an acronym for ji-kyo-ju-ji mot-hae mi-an-hae (지켜주지
못해미안해), which means “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.” Used especially by fans
for actors & actresses, models, singers and others in the public eye. Fans write jimotmi online when someone famous is hurt by harmful or damaging acts (paparazzi, bad press, nasty comments, when compromising pictures are released online, etc.)
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 190–191. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
‘올드보이’ 온라인 팬 클럽
English
‘Old Boy’ Fan Club Chatroom
방가 방가 민식, 나 니가 딸이랑 잔 기사 봤어. 그건 사실이 아닌데... 지못미!
Bangga bangga MinShik, I saw the posting about you sleeping with your daughter. I know it’s not true… jimotmi!
나도... 나랑 자기전에는 안돼지... 크, 크!
Me too… I know you’re saving yourself for me… kh, kh!
민식 오빠, 오빠랑 오빠 딸 사진 나와버린거야? 지못미! 난 파파라치가 싫어! OTL
MinShik oppa, the pictures of you and her just came out? Jimotmi! I hate the paparazzi! OTL
왜 걔들은 항상 널 괴롭히는거니? 지못미! 그게 뭐 어때서. 너가 니 딸이랑 키스했다면... 나랑도 언제든 키스 할 수 있는거잖아. 전화해. 010-910-2234! 나의 메시지를 씹지 말라!!
Why are they always bothering you? Jimotmi! So what if you kiss your daughter… you can kiss me anytime. Call me 010-910-2234! Don’t sshibta my message!
으이구, 불쌍한 놈... KIN
Eu-i-gu, poor baby… KIN
From the book: notes & culture
The Straight Scoop
으이구 [eu-i-gu] poor you. Equivalent to the Korean expression igo (아이고). Igo, meaning “oh my,” “good gracious” or “woe is me,” would be used as a type of sigh or expression of frustration or surprise to oneself. The euigu however, would be used for another person (not oneself) as with the English “poor baby.”It can also be used as a sound of satisfaction, similar to “whew.”
Text Box
The Basics of Korean Texting
•감사감사 [gam-sa-gam-sa] “Thanks, thanks.”
•뭥미 [mueong-mi] similar in sound to mueoni (뭐니) what’s your problem? but the impression is stronger, like “what the hell is your problem?”
•방가방가 [bang-ga-bang-ga] “Great to meet you!” (considered comical for its abridged repetition)
•삐까삐까 [bbi-gga-bbi-gga] “Same same.”
•씹다 [ssib-da] “Why are you eating my text?” (not answering me)
•열공 [yeol-gong] from yeolshimhi gongbu (열심히 공부) “Study hard!”
•즐겜 [jeul-game] “It was a good game.”
•지지 [G-G] “GG” for Good game.
•OTL (online) “A breakdown or collapse.” OTL actually Looks like someone on their hands and knees crying.
•KIN Looks like the Korean jeul (즐) on its side, and originated from 즐겜 [jeul-game], but came to mean piss off, go away or shut up.
•ㄱㅅ (Thank You) is just a combination of the first two letters of “감사” which means thank you.
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