How to say “Stringing Someone Along” in Korean? 🎣

Hello!

Sometimes a person keeps showing romantic interest but avoids committing to a real relationship. They may continue messaging, flirting, or giving someone hope simply to keep them available as an option.

In Korean dating slang, this behavior is called 어장관리 (eo-jang-gwan-ri).

What Does 어장관리 Mean?

어장 (eo-jang) means “fishing ground,” and 관리 (gwan-ri) means “management.” Literally, 어장관리 means “managing a fishing ground.”

In dating slang, the “fish” represent potential romantic partners. Someone who practices 어장관리 keeps one or more people interested without choosing or seriously dating them.

It is similar to “stringing someone along” or “keeping someone on the hook.” The expression is informal and strongly negative.

Here are two common ways to use it.

1. Saying Someone Is Stringing People Along 🎭

Use 어장관리하다(eo-jang-gwan-ri-ha-da) when someone gives romantic attention without intending to commit:

• Korean: 걔가 그냥 어장관리하는 거야.

• Pronunciation: gyae-ga geu-nyang eo-jang-gwan-ri-ha-neun geo-ya.

• Meaning: He’s just stringing her along. / She’s just keeping people interested as options.

The subject of 어장관리하다 is the person doing the manipulating.

2. Saying You Are Being Strung Along 🪝

Use 어장관리 당하다(eo-jang-gwan-ri-dang-ha-da) when you feel that you are the person being kept as an option:

• Korean: 나 지금 어장관리 당하는 것 같아.

• Pronunciation: na ji-geum eo-jang-gwan-ri dang-ha-neun geot ga-ta.

• Meaning: I think I’m being strung along.

당하다(dang-ha-da) means “to experience” or “to be subjected to” something, usually something negative. Therefore, 어장관리 당하다 means “to be subjected to someone’s stringing-along behavior.”

💡 Quick Usage Tip

어장관리 (eo-jang-gwan-ri) — stringing people along

어장관리하다 (eo-jang-gwan-ri-ha-da) — to string someone along

어장관리 당하다 (eo-jang-gwan-ri dang-ha-da) — to be strung along

🎯 Takeaway of the Day

나 지금 어장관리 당하는 것 같아. (na ji-geum eo-jang-gwan-ri dang-ha-neun geot ga-ta.)

Use it when someone gives you romantic hope but keeps avoiding a real commitment.

One expression a day, make it yours.

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