neukkeukeu (늙크크)

늙크크 blends 늙은 (“old”) with 영크크, the short form of ‘YOUNGCREATORCREW’, a song on CORTIS’s second mini album GREENGREEN. If 영크크 means someone young and in the know, 늙크크 is the opposite: a person who doesn’t get younger people’s culture, according to the Chosun Ilbo.

The paper also mentions 올크크 (“old” + 크크) used the same way. It’s light teasing rather than a harsh insult.

On MBC’s Radio Star (aired August 5, 2026), comedian Yoo Se-yoon said people now say 영크크 instead of “MZ,” and 늙크크 for the opposite. Kim Kook-jin added that if you don’t know CORTIS, people call you 늙크크, and CORTIS member Martin said the group didn’t coin 늙크크 themselves.

Then on Hangeul Day (October 9), YTN listed 늙크크 among the new words young Koreans use, noting that it started from an idol song title.

그 밈 몰라? 완전 늙크크네. Geu mim molla? Wanjeon neukkeukeune. “You don’t know that meme? You’re so out of the loop.” (casual, teasing a friend)

요즘 노래를 하나도 몰라. 나 늙크크 다 됐어. Yojeum noraereul hanado molla. Na neukkeukeu da dwaesseo. “I don’t know any of the new songs. I’ve totally become a 늙크크.” (casual, about yourself)

제가 늙크크라서 그런데, 영크크가 무슨 뜻이에요? Jega neukkeukeuraseo geureonde, yeongkeukeuga museun tteusieyo? “Sorry, I’m out of the loop — what does 영크크 mean?” (polite)

It’s slang, so keep it for friends and casual chats; calling an older person or your boss 늙크크 would be rude, while using it about yourself is safe. It’s pronounced [늑크크], roughly “neuk-keu-keu”. Similar words: 영크크 (the opposite), 올크크 (same meaning), and 꼰대 (kkondae), which the National Institute of Korean Language’s Urimalsaem lists as slang for an old person — but 꼰대 is harsher and suggests someone preachy, not just behind on trends.