Dictionary — Entry No. 1089
못생겼어
mot-saeng-gyeosseo · adjective
못생겼어
mot-saeng-gyeosseo
[moat-SAENG-gyuh-ssuh]
adjectiveintermediate
Meaning
Ugly or not good-looking; combines 못 (not) and 생기다 (to appear/look). A direct physical descriptor that carries cultural weight given Korea’s appearance-conscious society. Often used self-deprecatingly.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Referenced frequently in K-entertainment for humor about appearance. NewJeans members have joked self-deprecatingly using this on variety shows. Aespa’s members sometimes employ this in aegyo contexts during interviews.
Example Sentences
나는 못생겼어서 슬퍼.
naneun mot-saeng-gyeosseoseo seulpeo.
I’m ugly so I’m sad — self-deprecating humor common in idol culture.
그 배우는 못생겼지만 재미있어.
geu baeuneun mot-saeng-gyeotjiman jae-mi-isseo.
That actor isn’t good-looking but is entertaining — nuanced judgment separating appearance from talent.
못생겼어도 마음이 예쁘면 괜찮아.
mot-saeng-gyeossdoedo ma-eum-i yeppeu-myeon gwenchanha.
Even if you’re not pretty, a beautiful heart is enough — reassurance common in K-dramas.
⚠️ Don’t use mot-saeng-gyeosseo when…
Highly subjective and culturally sensitive; appearance standards vary globally and change over time. Never use casually about real people as it can cause harm given K-pop’s appearance pressure culture.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Strong Girl Bong-soon — character appearance-based humor and judging by looks
- K-Pop: NewJeans — self-deprecating humor about appearance during variety show appearances
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.