Korean slang profile

재질

jaejil

A word used to judge whether someone’s looks, personality, or atmosphere fit a particular type or image.

Expanded form: Not documented
Other spellings: —
Earliest source found: Sep 6, 2021
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
친구들 의견을 잘 모으는 걸 보니 너는 반장 재질이네.
You bring everyone’s opinions together so well. You’re class-president material.

02Documented history

Examined sourceA source discussed the new usage evaluating people’s images and suitability.[1]
September 2021A source discussed the new usage evaluating people’s images and suitability.[2]

03Origin & word formation

An 이데일리 usage evaluating a person was checked alongside the abstract of a paper on semantic neologisms. The study treats it as an extension of an existing word’s meaning, but the first speaker and date could not be established.

Evidence for the origin explanationMedium

An explanation or context showing the meaning was checked, but the available evidence does not establish the first user.

04Sources

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

의미적 신어 재질의 사용 양상 ― 의미적 선호와 의미적 운율 분석을 중심으로 (한국학술지인용색인)Original source checked Nov 13, 2026
엔하이픈 제이크, 하이틴 영화 주인공 재질 아이돌 투표서 1위 (이데일리)Published Sep 6, 2021Original source checked Nov 13, 2026