Resenne leader Woni sparked a public controversy after using a phrase associated with the far-right community Ilbe in a YouTube video [1].
The incident has escalated from a social media dispute into a political debate, highlighting the deep social divisions in South Korea regarding online hate speech and regional dialects.
The controversy began with a video posted June 28 [1] to the YouTube channel “Hello I am Woni Please Take Care of Me.” In the footage, Woni used the expression "museop-no" (it's scary), which critics identify as a linguistic marker of Ilgan Best Save Storage, known as Ilbe [1].
Public figures began weighing in on the usage. On July 1, MBC Gyeongsangnam-do PD Kim Hyun-ji said on social media she was upset that a female idol and a producer were exchanging "no-no" expressions [1].
By July 5, the debate reached high-profile political figures [2]. Former leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party Cho Kuk said the linguistic pattern is one where Ilbe mechanically attaches "no" to the end of standard words [1].
Other figures offered differing perspectives. Broadcaster Kim Si-deok, who is from Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, used the phrase himself July 5, asking why the world is so "museop-no" [2]. The discussion has also involved politician Lee Jun-seok, as the discourse surrounding the idol's language choice shifted into a broader clash over political expression and cultural sensitivity [1, 2].
Ilbe is widely recognized in South Korea as a forum characterized by hate speech and extreme right-wing views. The specific use of the "-no" ending is a hallmark of the Gyeongsang dialect, but when used incorrectly or in specific contexts, it is viewed as an intentional signal of affiliation with the far-right community [1].
“Ilbe mechanically attaches 'no' to the end of standard words”
This controversy illustrates the volatility of linguistic markers in South Korea, where the line between a regional dialect and far-right political signaling is heavily scrutinized. Because the Gyeongsang dialect is frequently co-opted by Ilbe users to mask hate speech, public figures and celebrities are held to a high standard of linguistic precision to avoid perceived affiliations with extremist ideologies.
