Korean slang profile

엄근진

eomgeunjin

A shortened expression for a strict, solemn, and serious attitude or atmosphere.

Expanded form: 엄격 근엄 진지strict, solemn, serious
Other spellings: —
Earliest source found: Jan 6, 2024
Documented trend period: Not verified

This is the earliest source we have verified, not the date the term was coined.

01Examples, with English translations

Example by Julimmal
장난치던 친구도 발표를 시작하니 엄근진 모드가 됐어.
Even my joking friend switched into 엄근진 mode when the presentation began.

02Documented history

January 2024조선일보 expanded all three words while describing a stiff image associated with a large-business family.[1]

03Origin & word formation

Short for ‘엄격 근엄 진지’ (strict, solemn, serious). A 2024 source from 조선일보 confirms this formation or explanation. Who first used it and when could not be established.

Evidence for the origin explanationMedium

The formation and usage were checked in the source. Who first coined it and when it was first used need further comparison.

04Sources

Original titles and links are preserved. An English translation does not replace the original source.

‘엄근진’은 버렸다… 재벌을 ‘형’이라 부르는 세상 (조선일보)Published Jan 6, 2024Original source checked Nov 13, 2026