[New Slang Dictionary] Gyeolsonghamnida - Sorry for Getting Married

"Gyeolsonghamnida" is a newly coined term that stands for "Sorry for getting married," created among engaged couples who have postponed their weddings or could not invite acquaintances other than relatives due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Illustration by Oh Seongsu.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Recently, prospective groom Kim Seonho (a pseudonym), who is about to get married, handed out wedding invitations to acquaintances, each personally inscribed with "Sorry." Due to the extension of the Level 4 social distancing measures, only 49 relatives are allowed to attend the wedding, and a 1-meter distance between tables along with partition installations have become mandatory. Kim, who is preparing for his wedding in early September, said, "We have already postponed the wedding twice and can no longer delay it, so we are going ahead this time. However, the venue requires a guaranteed attendance of 200 people, which means we are spending money unnecessarily and feel sorry for not being able to invite our acquaintances," adding, "It feels painful to be treated like a culprit on a day that should be celebrated." As social distancing was raised to Level 4, the worries of couples preparing to marry have deepened. On the 6th, a post titled 'Is it okay to hold a wedding in a concert hall?' was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition site. The petitioner stated, "Concerts and religious activities also gather in enclosed spaces, just like wedding halls," and questioned, "Shouldn't guidelines at least be fair?" Currently, under Level 4 social distancing, performances in regular venues with assigned seating can have up to 5,000 attendees, and in-person religious activities can have up to 99 participants. Prospective couples are pointing out the need to revise the system, questioning why wedding ceremonies alone face such harsh social distancing standards.

"Gyeolsonghamnida" is a newly coined term among couples postponing their weddings or unable to invite acquaintances outside their relatives due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It is a contraction of "Sorry for getting married." Another couple preparing to marry also appealed through a national petition, saying, "What exactly is the problem that the 49-person limit is enforced without considering fairness regarding the wedding hall's area?" and "Due to government regulations, individuals are bearing losses exceeding 10 million won by paying for meals they never received." They continued, "Even when couples express their grievances, it is dismissed as greed for receiving more congratulatory money," and lamented, "Recently, the phrase 'Gyeolsonghamnida,' meaning 'Sorry for getting married,' has even emerged." However, health authorities maintain that weddings cannot be exempt from measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On the 6th, Lee Ki-il, the first controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, which announced the extension of social distancing, said, "We must be cautious even in gatherings with family and relatives," and added, "We understand the economic and psychological difficulties caused by the prolonged high-level social distancing, but please understand that these are unavoidable measures to reduce harm to society as a whole."

Usage Example

A: Are you going to Hyunju's wedding this time?
B: How could I? With the Level 4 social distancing extension, only 49 relatives can attend.
A: That's why they're streaming it live. We even picked out the dress; we have to watch the ceremony.
B: Even though only 49 relatives can attend, they paid for meals for 200 people. It really feels like a time when "Gyeolsonghamnida" naturally comes out.
A: It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment to be celebrated, so why should the couple feel sorry... It's heartbreaking, really heartbreaking.

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