[New Word Dictionary] Hwakkjinja - The Modern Person's Sorrow Due to COVID-19

Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] In May 2008, during his visit to China, President Lee Myung-bak met with President Hu Jintao and signed the "Korea-China Prisoner Transfer Treaty." The following year, as the treaty officially came into effect, all Korean prisoners incarcerated in Chinese prisons were given the opportunity to return to Korea. However, when the consulate in Shenyang surveyed prisoners in the northeastern region of China about their willingness to be transferred, about 30% expressed a desire to remain in China, sparking curiosity.

Experts attribute this to the flexible prison management system of the Chinese government. In Chinese prisons, convicted prisoners can choose whether or not to participate in forced labor, and those who serve diligently by participating in labor can receive incentives such as sentence reductions or pardons. Additionally, in response to Korean prisoners' complaints that the prison food did not suit their tastes, the Shenyang prison allowed them to prepare their own meals. As a result, some prisoners adapted to the partially autonomous environment of Chinese prisons, even gaining weight, and ultimately chose to stay.

The term "Hwakjjinja" refers to people who have gained significant weight due to increased indoor activities and reduced outings during the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It is somewhat a self-deprecating term. Experts advise doing indoor exercises such as stretching for 20 to 30 minutes a day because prolonged indoor stays can disrupt physical rhythms and lead to weight gain. As the number of Hwakjjinja increased due to social distancing campaigns, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation announced a home training program called "KSPO Hwack.jjin.ja Prevention Home Training," which helps maintain health at home. The modern-day struggle of having to manage home workouts to prevent weight gain and the resulting physical and mental health deterioration while refraining from going out is a bittersweet scene created by COVID-19.

Example

A: I heard your company has been doing remote work for two weeks. How’s it going?
B: At first, I was glued to the phone working until evening, but now it’s a bit better. But another problem came up.
A: Why? Did a colleague test positive?
B: No. I just sit all day working on my laptop, snack because I’m bored, and order delivery for meals... The problem is I keep gaining weight.
A: So you didn’t become a confirmed case, but a Hwakjjinja~ Make sure to stretch occasionally while working.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.