Dictionary — Entry No. 0588
악마
akma · noun
악마
akma
[ahk-MAH]
nounbeginner
Meaning
악마 means ‘devil’ or ‘demon’ in Korean. It can describe a literal supernatural evil being or — very commonly in K-Pop — someone dangerously attractive, powerfully intense, or irresistibly tempting. Being called 악마 by fans is often meant as a thrilling, awestruck compliment.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
EXO’s 2019 comeback ‘Obsession’ fully embraced the 악마 concept, featuring dark alter-ego imagery of each member possessed by a demonic shadow self — making it one of K-Pop’s most iconic devil concepts. BLACKPINK’s Lisa is frequently called 악마 by fans overwhelmed by her ferocious stage power and commanding presence. The Devil Judge (악마판사) made 악마 the centerpiece of one of 2021’s most stylish K-Drama character arcs.
Example Sentences
넌 악마야!
neon akma-ya!
‘You’re a devil!’ — accusatory in drama contexts, but also a flirtatious, awed fan compliment for an irresistibly charismatic idol
그 사람은 악마 같아.
geu saram-eun akma gata
‘That person is like a devil.’ — describing someone dangerously captivating, cruel, or supernaturally alluring
악마의 유혹
akma-eui yuhok
‘The devil’s temptation.’ — a common dramatic phrase for an irresistible but dangerous lure, heard throughout K-Drama dialogue
⚠️ Don’t use akma when…
악마 (devil/demon with malevolent intent) differs from 귀신 (ghost/departed spirit) and 마귀 (evil spirit) — using them interchangeably sounds unnatural. Also, while fans use 악마 as praise for intense performers, saying it to a real person outside idol culture can be genuinely offensive.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: The Devil Judge (악마판사) — Judge Kang Yo-han embodies the 악마 archetype: charismatic, morally ambiguous, and terrifyingly powerful in every scene
- K-Pop: EXO — Obsession
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.