Dictionary — Entry No. 0918
섭섭해
setdan-hae · adjective
섭섭해
setdan-hae
[suhp-SUHP-hay]
adjectiveintermediate
Meaning
Describes feeling disappointed, letdown, or deflated when someone or something fails to meet your expectations. This emotion carries a subtle sadness mixed with mild resentment—it’s softer than anger but sharper than simple sadness. Common in relationships when trust is broken or promises aren’t kept.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Frequently appears in K-dramas depicting emotional vulnerability between characters, especially in Business Proposal and Our Blues where characters navigate disappointment in relationships. Aespa and NewJeans songs often explore themes of feeling let down in romance. This is a key emotion in K-pop ballads expressing unmet romantic expectations.
Example Sentences
너한테 너무 섭섭해. 왜 이렇게 됐어?
Neohante neomu setdan-hae. Wae ireohge dwaesseo?
I’m so disappointed in you. Why did it come to this? (Expressing hurt and confusion)
약속을 자꾸 안 지켜서 섭섭해.
Yagssogeul jakku an jikyeoseo setdan-hae.
I’m disappointed because you keep breaking your promises. (Accumulation of letdowns)
팬들이 섭섭해하지 않도록 좋은 작품을 내야 해.
Pandeuri setdan-haeha-ji anhdorok joheun jakppumeul naeyah hae.
I need to release quality work so fans don’t feel let down. (K-pop idol perspective)
⚠️ Don’t use setdan-hae when…
Don’t use this when you’re angry—setdan-hae specifically implies sadness tinged with betrayal, not rage. This word is often followed by an explanation of what disappointed you; using it alone can sound passive-aggressive or emotionally manipulative.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Our Blues — Characters expressing setdan-hae when discovering truths that shatter their romantic assumptions
- K-Pop: NewJeans — ‘Hype Boy’ (lyrics contain themes of unmet expectations in casual relationships)
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.