썸 (Sseom) & 플러팅 (Peulleoting) — The Ambiguous Stage
💝From Sparks to Labels: 직진남·직진녀, 에겐남·에겐녀, 테토남·테토녀까지
안녕하세요~ I'm Hangeulia ^-^
Welcome to Part 2 of our Korean Dating Styles series! Last time, we explored 모솔(motae solo), 자만추(jaman chu), 집순이(jip-sooni)·집돌이(jip-dori), and 완전I·완전E.
Now we’re stepping into that thrilling “in-between” phase — when two people are more than friends but not quite lovers. 😉
In Korea, this stage is known as 썸 (sseom) and it’s often sprinkled with playful 플러팅 (peulleoting). We’ll also meet the bold 직진남·직진녀 (jikjin-nam/jikjin-nyeo) and the personality-chemistry types 에겐남·에겐녀 (Egen-nam/Egen-nyeo) and 테토남·테토녀 (Teto-nam/Teto-nyeo).
💜썸 (Sseom) — The “Something” Stage
Korea has a word for that “are-we-or-aren’t-we” stage — 썸 (sseom). It’s short for “something” — as in “something’s going on.”
It’s that sweet spot where you're not officially dating, but your heart skips a beat every time their name pops up on your phone.💓
Think late-night chats, shared inside jokes, and maybe a few “accidental” meetups.
Many K-dramas thrive on this stage, keeping us hooked with slow-burn romance.
In Better Late Than Single, Jeong-mok and Yi Do had such a heart-fluttering 썸 stage — the kind that makes you smile without even realizing it... though, of course, there was a twist in the end. ^^
💜플러팅 (Peulleoting) — Playful Signals
Peulleoting basically means flirting — teasing lines, subtle compliments, and eye contact that lingers a beat longer than usual. In Korea, these tiny moments spark that classic question: “Just friendly… or something more?” 💕
On variety shows, one sweet gesture can set off a debate: “100% a green light!” vs. “Nope, you’re overthinking it.” That’s the fun part about peulleoting — it's all about living in the in‑between.
- “Don’t forget your scarf today—wind’s brutal.” (care + attention, but casual)
- “Text me when you get home.” (sweet, protective vibe without saying the word ‘like’)
- Remembering your exact coffee order and bringing it “by chance”....and pretending it's a coincidence ^^
💜직진남·직진녀 — The Straight Shooters
직진 (jikjin) means “go straight.”
A 직진남 or 직진녀 skips all the vague hints and gets straight to the point 🏹
: “I like you. Let’s date.”
This kind of boldness can be refreshing — it's honest, clear, and leaves no room for confusion. But depending on timing and the other person’s personality, it can also feel a little...intense ^^
- 직진남 👦(Jikjin-nam): a straight-shooting man who is direct about his feelings
- 직진녀 👧(Jikjin-nyeo): a straight-shooting woman who is direct about her feelings
In Better Late Than Single, Min-hong could totally be called a 직진녀 — no hesitation, no mixed signals, just a clear "I like you" vibe. ^^
💜에겐남·에겐녀 vs. 테토남·테토녀 — Personality Chemistry
These playful terms come from estrogen and testosterone, but in Korea they’re used more as fun personality nicknames than actual science. Here’s the gist:
- 에겐남 👦(Egen-nam): The caring, attentive man who connects emotionally.
- 에겐녀 👧(Egen-nyeo): The sensitive, affectionate woman who is full of aegyo (cute charm) and naturally caring.
- 테토남 👨(Teto-nam): The confident, action-driven man who takes charge.
- 테토녀 👩(Teto-nyeo): The assertive, self-assured woman who knows what she wants.
Some say Egen and Teto types balance each other perfectly — soft meets strong.
Others believe “like attracts like” and that similar types spark the strongest chemistry.
Either way, it’s become a fun personality quiz topic at cafés, group hangouts, or even on blind dates.
In Better Late Than Single, Jeong-mok was the perfect example of an 에겐남 — gentle, thoughtful, and sweet — while Seung-li leaned much more toward a 테토남 bringing confidence and decisive energy to the mix. ^^
💜 Hangeulia’s Tip
When people bring up Egen or Teto types, it's usually just for fun — a bit like MBTI.
Don't overthink it!😉 Share your type, laugh about it, and maybe swap K-drama character examples with your friends. ^^
In the world of Korean dating lingo, every term tells a little story — and you never know which one might match your next. ^^
With love,
Hangeulia 😊
