Dictionary — Entry No. 0919
억울해
eoigeopda · adjective
억울해
eoigeopda
[uh-GWI-uh-pda]
adjectiveintermediate
Meaning
Expresses feeling wronged, treated unfairly, or denied justice. This is a deeper emotional state where someone feels victimized by circumstances or another person’s actions. It carries an undercurrent of righteous anger mixed with helplessness—the sense that you didn’t deserve this treatment.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Extremely common in K-dramas like Itaewon Class and Squid Game where characters feel systematically wronged by society. Stray Kids and other idol groups reference this in songs exploring social injustice. The emotion is deeply embedded in Korean storytelling traditions exploring class conflict and moral inequity.
Example Sentences
내가 뭘 잘못했는데 나한테만 이렇게 하니? 억울해.
Naega mwol jalmothhaessnneunde nahante-man ireohke hani? Eoigeopda.
What did I do wrong that you treat me this way? It’s so unfair. (Expressing unjust treatment)
이렇게 억울한 일은 처음이야.
Ireohke eoigueophan ileun cheoeumiya.
This is the first time I’ve ever felt this wronged. (Emphasizing the severity)
부당한 대우를 받아서 억울해하고 있어.
Budanghan daeuireul badaeseo eoigueophaehago isseo.
I’m feeling wronged from receiving unfair treatment. (Systemic injustice context)
⚠️ Don’t use eoigeopda when…
This emotion in Korean society can escalate quickly from sadness to anger if not addressed—characters who feel eoigeopda may seek revenge in K-dramas. Don’t use this lightly; it implies a fundamental violation of fairness, not just minor inconvenience.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class — Park Sae-ro’s entire character arc driven by feeling systematically wronged by the powerful
- K-Pop: Stray Kids — ‘God’s Menu’ (thematic elements of proving your worth against unfair judgment)
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.