Nuance Dictionary / People & Relationships
어장관리 eo-jang-gwan-ri
The calculated modern dating tactic of keeping multiple romantic prospects interested on the hook without committing to any of them.
What does 어장관리 mean?
어장관리 (eo-jang-gwan-ri) means: The calculated modern dating tactic of keeping multiple romantic prospects interested on the hook without committing to any of them.
Literally translating to 'fish farm management,' this term goes far beyond casually dating around; it implies a cold, strategic harvesting of attention and validation. Natives drop this word not just to gossip about a player, but to expose someone who enjoys the ego boost of being wanted while dodging the vulnerability of an actual relationship. Learners often mistake it for harmless flirting, missing the sharp, calculated cynicism baked right into the metaphor.
Other sides of 어장관리
◆ Playful Accusation Among Friends — While textbooks define this purely as a cynical dating strategy, friends deploy it with a smirk to poke fun at someone who simply can't stop collecting text messages, free coffees, and heart-eyes from innocent bystanders. It operates within the bounds of close, safe peer relationships where everyone knows no real manipulation is happening; using this with someone whose *che면* (face/social pride) is easily bruised or across strict hierarchy boundaries will instantly kill the mood and sound genuinely hostile.
🎙️ 어장관리는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [어장괄리]로 소리나요 (유음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 나한테 친절하게 굴길래 진심인 줄 알았는데, 알고 보니 그 사람 어장관리 중이었어.
Na-han-te chin-jeol-ha-ge gul-gil-rae jin-sim-in jul al-at-neun-de, al-go bo-ni geu saram eo-jang-gwan-ri jung-i-eot-seo.
I thought he was being nice to me because he was sincere, but it turns out I was just another fish in his pond.
💡 Reveals the emotional whiplash and betrayal felt when realizing you're just part of someone's rotation. - 썸 타는 줄 알았는데 어장관리 당한 것 같아서 너무 허탈해.
Sseom ta-neun jul al-at-neun-de eo-jang-gwan-ri dang-han geot gat-aseo neomu heo-tal-hae.
I thought we were in the talking stage, but I feel so empty realizing I was just being kept on the hook.
💡 Highlights how easily a hopeful 'ssom' can curdle into resentment once management is suspected. - 친구가 밥 사준다는 남자가 다섯 명이나 된다는데, 이거 완전 어장관리 아니야?
chinguga bap sajundaneun namjaga daseot myeongina doendaneunde, igeo wanjeon eojanggwanri aniya?
My friend says she has five different guys offering to buy her meals—isn't this total fish-farm management?
💡 Use this to call out someone who is stringing multiple romantic interests along.
Related words in People & Relationships
가스라이팅 gaseu-ra-iting인맥 inmaek입이 무겁다 Ip-i mugeopda마음이 통하다 Ma-eum-i tong-ha-da맺다 maetda