Sseokso

Sseokso is a term the kids throw around a lot, and I've been noticing it the last few months. One time a few weeks ago, I was looking somewhat slyly at the kids and all of a sudden they gasped and pointed at me, shouting, "Aw, sseokso, sseokso!" So I finally asked what it meant. They defined it as a dark or evil smile. (Update: I've now learned that it's a blend of the word for "rotten" and "smile." It's "sseogeun" plus "miso." The "g" sound becomes a "k" sound when it's put before the "s" sound.) Most of the kids are obsessed with the term and the idea. They draw it all the time. Here are some of their drawings of it from our imaginary window:

I find it a little odd that most of the pictures don't even have a mouth, considering the definition, but I guess it's mostly about the expression (or lack thereof) in the eyes. When they do draw a mouth, it usually has kind of an uplilting half smile. It really doesn't seem dark to me. It seems nonchalant. Interesting cultural differences.

Now that I know about it, I'm able to mention it to the kids when I see it, or express my understanding of what they're saying or drawing, and they seem to enjoy that.