How to Do Aegyo (Cute in Korea)

Last Updated: October 26, 2022

"Oh my gosh, that girl's aegyo is so cute!" "Wow, I wish I could do aegyo as well as her!" "Isn't she so adorable?!" Learning how to master aegyo is quite simple. "Aegyo" - or "cute" in Korean - basically means someone who acts in a cute way or with "child-like charm".^{[1]
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Research source} To become a master at classic Korean aegyo, the following steps will assist you.

Steps

1
Raise your voice to a "higher than normal" pitch. This doesn't necessarily mean that you should raise your voice three octaves or sound as if you've just inhaled a tank full of helium - simply raise your voice just enough to make it sound cute.^{[2]
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2
Use your hands. When performing aegyo, including your hands will make you so much more adorable if you use them correctly. Balling your hands into fists at the sides or your cheeks, or poking one cheek with your index finger are some options. Other alternatives include making the "peace" sign and winking through the gap or resting your chin on one fist. Don't use this to much or you may be used as weird, do it just enough so that it makes you look child like but not baby-ish or "extra".^{[3]
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3
Use your eyes to express aegyo. Don't forget to use your eyes whenever possible. Remember to wink, blink excessively (but not too excessively) and to make your eyes appear larger than usual. For example, if you see something that's cute and you are with some people, make a fist and clench it to your chest and point at what ever it is you saw and make your eyes big, then say something like "Aww how cute!! Look at that [insert item here]!!^{[4]
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4
Speak baby-talk. Exaggerate parts of words and bounce your tones around, almost as a child would talk. For example: "Anyeong Oppa!" can turn into "AnYEONG OpPA" with the letters in capitals being the sounds that are stressed and exaggerated.^{[5]
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- "Anyeong Oppa" means "hello" and "oppa" is a word girls use to address their older brother or males who are older than them.

Community Q&A

Question

Is it awkward to hear Korean words pronounced by non-native speakers with a poor Korean accent?

Community Answer

A little bit, but if you keep practicing you'll get better, you may even be able to get the accent down.
Question

Could I do aegyo if I'm not Korean?

Echomocha

Community Answer

Yes, but it may seem stranger in western countries and not as effective.
Question

Can I go to a Korean school and be from a western country?

Community Answer

Yes, most Korean schools accept students from all over the world.