Korean slang profile
먹부림
meokburim
Showing off an appetite
Behavior that shows someone's enthusiasm for eating. Some explanations also include sharing or showing off food.
- Expanded form
- Not documented
- Other spellings
- —
- Earliest source found
- May 29, 2015
- 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
주말 내내 먹부림 하느라 배가 터질 것 같아.
I've spent all weekend indulging in food and feel like I'm going to burst.
- Quoted from a source
비록 블로그나 사회관계망서비스(SNS)에 ‘먹부림(먹을거리 자랑으로 멋을 부림)’을 남기는 2030세대와는 다른 ‘구전(口傳)’ 형태이긴 하지만 오히려 신뢰도는 더 높다.[1]
Although it is a form of ‘word of mouth’ that is different from the 2030 generation that leaves ‘먹부림 (showing off food)’ on blogs or social networking services (SNS), it is more trustworthy.
English translation by Julimmal.
02Documented history
- May 2015Although it is a form of ‘word of mouth’ that is different from the 2030 generation that leaves ‘먹부림 (showing off food)’ on blogs or social networking services (SNS), it is more trustworthy.[1]
- September 2017Art Insight: “먹부림 is said to be a compound word of ‘eat’ and ‘struggle.’”[2]
- January 2020Asia Today: “The dictionary meaning of 먹부림 is ‘acting to show one’s appetite.’”[3]
03Origin & word formation
The sources differ. Kyunghyang Shinmun in 2015 describes showing off food; Art Insight in 2017 calls it a blend of 먹는다 and 몸부림; Asia Today in 2020 gives a dictionary meaning of behavior displaying an appetite. Which account reflects the original formation has not been verified.
Evidence for the origin explanationMedium
Three sources give different explanations, and the proposed word formation is presented as a reported claim rather than an established fact.
04Sources
Original titles and links are preserved. An English translation does not replace the original source.
- 성완종 다이어리 속 ‘돈과 권력이 만난 그곳’… 은밀하게 화끈하게, 그들만의 ‘거기’ (경향신문)Published May 29, 2015Original source checked Nov 5, 2026
- [Opinion] 예능 프로그램 자막 속 신조어, 재미와 불편함 사이 [문화 전반] (아트인사이트)Published Sep 24, 2017Original source checked Nov 5, 2026
- [여행] 겨울 별미 찾아 ‘먹부림 여행’ (아시아투데이)Published Jan 28, 2020Original source checked Nov 5, 2026