This story is featured in the spring 2026 edition of Dazed. Purchase a copy of the magazine here.
In South Korea, it's uncommon to address older individuals by their first names. Boys typically use "hyung" for older males and "noona" for older females, while girls are expected to refer to older men as "oppa" and older women as "unnie." This linguistic practice reflects a cultural emphasis on respect and social hierarchy, reinforcing generational dynamics within interpersonal communication.
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