Korean slang profile

기변

gibyeon

A short term for replacing a device one uses, such as a mobile phone, with another.

Expanded form: 기기 변경device change
Other spellings: —
Earliest source found: Jun 17, 2025
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
휴대전화를 바꾸기 전에 기변 조건을 비교했다.
Before changing my phone, I compared the 기변 conditions.

02Documented history

June 2025조선비즈 introduced the meaning and usage of this expression.[1]

03Origin & word formation

A shortened name for ‘기기 변경’ (device change). A 2025 source from 조선비즈 explicitly gives this explanation. Who first used it and when could not be established.

Evidence for the origin explanationMedium

The abbreviation’s explanation and usage were checked directly, but who first coined it and when it was first used could not be established.

04Sources

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

[르포] “추가지원금 13만원 올랐어요”… 신규 가입 영업 재개에도 차분한 SK텔레콤 매장 (조선비즈)Published Jun 17, 2025Original source checked Nov 13, 2026