What does 얼짱 (ulzzang) mean?
- 얼짱ulzzang
Best face / very good-looking
Casual: friends and people younger than you
얼짱 (ulzzang) is Korean slang for a very good-looking person, literally "best face". In the 2000s it also became a style of selfie and fashion, with soft makeup, big eyes and flattering camera angles, made popular by online "ulzzang" stars.
Where it comes from
얼 comes from 얼굴 (eolgul), "face", and 짱 (jjang) means "the best".
How to use 얼짱
Use 얼짱 to say someone is the best-looking in a group, like a school or class. It is a compliment and casual in tone.
The term feels strongly tied to the 2000s and early 2010s internet era, so today it can sound a little nostalgic. 얼짱 각도 ("ulzzang angle"), the flattering high selfie angle, is still a known phrase.
In polite situations, simple words like 잘생겼어요 ("handsome") or 예뻐요 ("pretty") are more natural.
Examples
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Gossiping about a classmate
Handing your phone to a friend
Joking about your school days
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 얼짱 각도 | Ulzzang angle | The flattering selfie angle, usually from slightly above. |
| 몸짱 | Great body | Similar word with 몸 (body). |
| 잘생겼어요 | You're handsome / good-looking | Standard polite compliment. |
| 예뻐요 | You're pretty | Standard polite compliment. |
Questions learners ask
Is ulzzang a compliment?
Yes. It means someone is very good-looking. It is casual, so it fits friends better than formal settings.
What is ulzzang style?
It is a look from Korean internet culture of the 2000s: bright skin, big eyes, cute poses and selfies taken from a flattering high angle.
Is ulzzang still used?
People still know and use it, but it feels a bit nostalgic now. The phrase 얼짱 각도 (ulzzang angle) is still common.