[Neologism Dictionary] Makwanbu?A Sincere Request for Attention, Not Just “Here’s Some Attention”

"Makwanbu" is an abbreviation of the phrase "please give a lot of attention," and it is a newly coined term often used mainly for celebrities who have started activities with new works or albums, or for people beginning life in new groups or organizations. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy, reporter Kim Heeyoon] In the fifth year of his reign in 1174, King Myeongjong of Goryeo issued a royal edict expressing his lament: "Due to rampant 'Bun-gyeong,' power is being privately created within households." 'Bun-gyeong' is an abbreviation of 'Bunchugyeongri,' which refers to the act of frequenting the homes of those in power to seek favors in order to obtain official positions. The Joseon Dynasty identified 'Bun-gyeong' as a major reason for the fall of Goryeo and enacted the Bun-gyeong Prohibition Law. The law was drafted during the reign of King Jeongjong, the second king, and strictly enforced from the time of King Taejong, the third king. Under this law, even meeting with a person in power, regardless of whether a favor was actually requested, was punishable. Joseon advised that anyone with grievances or injustices should go to the government office instead of approaching a person in power to resolve their issues. The Bun-gyeong Prohibition Law classified those in power as high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Military Affairs, officials of the Office of Inspector-General and Office of Censors, and senior officials presiding over trials. It specified that only relatives within the ninth degree of kinship, maternal relatives within the sixth degree, relatives of one's wife within the sixth degree, and neighbors were permitted to visit their homes. Violations were punished with 100 strokes and exile to a place over 1,000 ri away. At the time, receiving even 60 strokes was considered life-threatening, and 100 strokes often resulted in death, which was recorded as 'Jangsal' (death by beating).

"Makwanbu" is an abbreviation of the phrase "please give a lot of attention," and it is a newly coined term frequently used mainly for celebrities who have started activities with new works or albums, or for people beginning life in new groups or organizations. Even today, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, also known as the Kim Youngran Act, which is considered a successor to the Bun-gyeong Prohibition Law, strictly prohibits improper solicitations and the exchange of money or valuables. While 'Makwanbu,' widely used among the MZ generation, focuses on pure 'attention,' the wrongful behavior of adults who engage in Bun-gyeong for personal gain from the Goryeo era to the present reflects a dark desire that transforms well-intentioned requests into improper solicitations.

Example

A: Did you watch the guys' live broadcast yesterday? The new teaser looked amazing.
B: Right? They're the ultimate visuals. I need to stream their songs a lot.
A: But what did they mean by what they said at the end? Makwanbu?
B: You don't know? It's short for "please give a lot of attention."
A: Ah... Everything's great, but these days it feels like they abbreviate everything. It's hard to keep up.

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