[New Word Dictionary] Hojokmate - Born as Siblings

Hojokmate is a newly coined term combining "hojok" (family register) and "mate," used to refer to siblings listed on the family register as if they were strangers. Illustration by Seongsu Oh

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, a practical scholar of the late Joseon Dynasty, is said to have had a close bond with his older brother Jeong Yak-jeon, who was four years his senior. The brothers, who were Catholics, were both exiled in 1801 during the Sinyu Persecution; Jeong Yak-yong was sent to Gangjin, while Jeong Yak-jeon was sent to Heuksando via Sinjido. Deeply concerned for his brother, Jeong Yak-yong frequently inquired about his well-being through letters during their exile and exchanged various scholarly opinions. Most of Dasan’s writings, including Mokminsimseo and Gyeongse Yupo, totaling around 500 volumes, were written during his 18 years of exile. Whenever he encountered doubts while writing, he would write to his brother Jeong Yak-jeon for answers, and after hearing his brother’s opinions, he remarked, “When I followed my brother’s advice, the previously doubtful passages and conflicting numbers miraculously aligned perfectly without a single error.” While the diligent younger brother Jeong Yak-yong produced hundreds of works, the elder brother Jeong Yak-jeon left behind only a few books, including Jasaneobo. The world misunderstood this as a lack of scholarly ability or talent on the elder brother’s part, but Jeong Yak-yong clarified that his brother was a far superior scholar and person, though he regretted that he liked drinking and was lazy.

The term “hojeokmate” is a neologism combining “hojeok” (family register) and “mate,” used to refer to siblings listed together on the family register as if they were strangers. It implies a relationship that is closer than strangers but too distant to be considered family, describing the feelings between siblings who became family without their own choice. Among many hojeokmates, upon hearing the news that his dear brother Jeong Yak-jeon’s health had deteriorated, Jeong Yak-yong wrote in a letter, “Brother, you worry about malnutrition while leaving hundreds of wild dogs on Heuksando alone. I am sending you Park Jega’s dog meat recipe,” carefully sharing a recipe he learned from a friend. During their long exile, Jeong Yak-yong endured lonely times through exchanges with his brother, who was also his friend, teacher, and senior. Upon hearing of his brother’s death, he wrote sorrowfully, “Among this lonely world, only our Sonam (Jeong Yak-jeon) was my confidant. If there is no one who understands me, it would have been better to have died long ago.” Dasan and Jeong Yak-jeon, who could have been lifelong rivals, cooperated and lived like lifelong friends, bonded by a friendship deeper than blood?a true example of hojeokmates.

Example

A: Huh? Why are your socks mismatched? Did you put them on without realizing?
B: No, I know very well. My nemesis hojeokmate swapped the two pairs of socks I had left.
A: zzz Isn’t this more than once? Don’t you always get the short end of the stick with your sister?
B: Exactly. Who asked for such a sister? She’s just there since birth, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
A: Hey. Still, your sister gives you allowance and stuff. I’m an only child with no hojeokmate, so I just envy that kind of back-and-forth!

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