Understanding Kdrama: Aegyo

If you love kdramas, you've probably heard a character using the word aegyo although some pronunciations make it sound like "kyo." This seems appropriate since it sounds a lot like the English word cute.

But aegyo goes way beyond cute. It means cute in an often adorably childish way that borders on being cartoonish. The fascination with aegyo behavior may date back to the Japanese kawaii craze when everything that related to anime or manga was suddenly very desirable.

In short, when people act aegyo they act like anime or manga characters. Aegyo can be seen in their mannerisms, the way they talk or the way they dress.

Some people are just naturally so charming and full of child-like enthusiasm that they radiate aegyo but others may exaggerate such behavior to achieve a desired effect. And in dramas, a character is even funnier or more pathetic depending on how they employ what are exaggerated examples of aegyo behavior.

Characters use aegyo to get what they want. To get her heart's desire, a character might speak in a more childlike voice. She might curl her hands on the side of her face and blink a lot or make a heart sign. She might make kitten sounds or draw out her words. She might dress in a very cute and exaggerated way, designed to draw attention.

Like any other character trait, it's nice when it's natural but it's not so nice when it's put on to manipulate someone.

In Kdramas, it's mostly younger women that employ a little aegyo either to get people to do what they want or because they think it will appeal to men. If it works, it makes them seem innocent and sweet, dependent on the favors of the person they are using aegyo on.

At the beginning of "The Master's Sun," Gong Hyo Jin occasionally adorably used aegyo to get So Ji Sub to let her touch him. It shows how much she needs him to be nice to her. But do note that as she becomes stronger and more independent much of her aegyo behavior vanishes.

Aegyo can also be irritating when you know the character is really not so nice.

When Park Soo Jin used aegyo to try and seduce the neighbors in "Flower Boys Next Door," she was less than appealing.

As a character ages, acting all aegyo becomes less appropriate. When Park Shin Hye's aunt uses aegyo in "You're Beautiful," it makes her look pathetic.

There are also aegyo male characters. Consider Jeremy, played by Lee Hong Ki in "You're Beautiful." You could not find a character more cartoon-like than Jeremy with his exaggerated facial expressions. Yoon Si Yoon also employed a fair amount of aegyo behavior to get Park Shin Hye to leave her room in "Flower Boys Next Door." Both are adorable-if you like aegyo behavior in men.

Do you have a favorite example of aegyo behavior in kdrama? Let us know.