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Yook Sung-jae is ‘squid’ next to Gong Yoo?

  • Published : Dec 4, 2016 - 17:33
  • Updated : Dec 4, 2016 - 17:33

The Korean word for squid, “ojingeo,” has an additional meaning beyond the invertebrate sea creature.

On Sunday, for example, a Twitter user wrote, “Yook Sung-jae is an ojingeo next to Gong Yoo. Now I understand why people are crazy about Gong.”

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Yook Sung-jae ('Goblin' website)

The comment is meant to say that idol star Yook, who otherwise is known for his handsome looks, pales in comparison to Gong.

The squid, due to its undefined flat facial features, has become the epitome of mediocre to ugly men in Korean popular vernacular.

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Gong Yoo ('Goblin' website)
The word first spread among the public following the release of Korean movie “The Man from Nowhere” (2010), in which main actor Won Bin shaves his head and still looks dashing. Soon after the movie came out, a popular meme circulated online showing a couple watching the film at a cinema. While mesmerized by Won Bin, the woman briefly turns to look at her boyfriend, where instead of the man she’s dating she sees a squid in his seat.

Yook and Gong are starring in TV drama “Goblin,” the first two episodes of which aired Friday and Saturday.

Yook plays the human nephew of Gong, a goblin who has lived for over 300 years.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

Related article: [V Report] Meet the cast of fantasy drama ‘Goblin’