Nuance Dictionary / Slang & Internet Culture
허세 Heo-se
The performative flaunting of wealth or luxury items to mask an underlying sense of social insecurity.
What does 허세 mean?
허세 (Heo-se) means: The performative flaunting of wealth or luxury items to mask an underlying sense of social insecurity.
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How it's actually used
- SNS에 명품 사진만 올리는 거 완전 허세 아니야?
SNS-e myeong-pum sa-jin-man ol-li-neun geo wan-jeon heo-se a-ni-ya?
Isn't it just total 'heo-se' to only post photos of luxury goods on social media?
💡 Reveals how the word is used to judge performative digital vanity. - 월급은 적은데 차는 외제차네. 진짜 허세 심하다.
Wol-geup-eun jeok-eun-de cha-neun oe-je-cha-ne. Jin-jja heo-se sim-ha-da.
He’s on a low salary but drives a foreign import. That is some serious 'heo-se'.
💡 Highlights the disconnect between actual income and the displayed lifestyle. - 허세 부리느라 컵라면 먹는다는 말이 딱 그 사람 얘기야.
Heo-se bu-ri-neu-ra keop-ra-myeon meok-neun-da-neun mal-i ttak geu sa-ram yae-gi-ya.
The saying 'eating instant noodles just to put on a show' is exactly about him.
💡 Captures the trope of sacrificing basic needs to fund a fake high-class image.
Related words in Slang & Internet Culture
헐 heol흑역사 heuk-yeok-sa혼모노 hon-mo-no이왜진 i-wae-jin입틀막 ip-teul-mak