Gag Concert's Okdongja
Original Korean title
개그콘서트 옥동자
Okdongja is the ugly-duckling character Jung Jong-chul played on Gag Concert, whose name became 2002-era slang for 'ugly.'
Originated around 2002Last updated: August 4, 2026
PLUS TRANSLATION DESK
The translation for this language is already current and reviewed.
What does it mean?
Jung Jong-chul played an intentionally unattractive character on the sketch show Gag Concert, and from 2002 onward the character's name, 'Okdongja,' itself became slang used to tease someone about their looks.
Where did it start?
Jung Jong-chul debuted in 2000 as a member of KBS's 15th class of contract comedians, then introduced the character in the 'Bongsunga Hakdang' segment of KBS's Gag Concert in June 2002. 'Okdongja' originally meant a cute baby boy, but once the character built around Jung's distinctive looks became popular, the word's meaning was completely overturned into slang for an unattractive appearance almost immediately after debut. Combined with the era's broadcast custom of comedians being called by their character names more often than their real names, 'Okdongja' quickly hardened into an appearance-shaming term used outside broadcasting too.
How is it used?
Brought up when explaining the appearance-comedy segment itself.
By context
- On public social media
- Context matters
- At work
- Context matters
- With family
- Context matters
- With friends
- Generally safe to use