Korean Slate

Spotted a rash of new Korean slang words derived from the English word paparazzi, which itself is derived from the name of Signor Paparazzo, a character in La Dolce Vita, the Federico Fellini movie.

SEONGPARAZZI (seong-parazzi) 성파라치(←性+paparazzi)
The “seong” refers to sex.

Korean definition: 성매매 현장을 포착·신고하여 보상금을 타 내는 일. 또는 그런 일을 하는 사람. English translation: The work of filming and then reporting prostitution to the authorities for the sake of reward money; a person engaged in such work

SEONPARAZZI (seon-parazzi) 선파라치(←選擧+paparazzi)
The “seon” refers to election.

This term refers to reporting election irregularities. Also known as

PYOPARAZZI (pyo-parazzi) 표파라치(←票+paparazzi)
The “pyo” refers to ballot paper.

SSUPARAZZI (ssu-parazzi) 쓰파라치 (←쓰레기 + paparazzi)
The ssu (pronounced ssuh) is short for ssuh-reh-ghi, meaning garbage.

South Korea has very strict rules on recycling, especially when it comes to disposing your garbage. These paparazzi lie in wait for the lazy citizen who dumps his trash at the wrong place. They record video proof of the malfeasance and bring the film to the police for a reward.

Lots of Korean housewives and unemployed men can make a decent living off this digital snitching. I’ve spoken to Korean professionals (lawyers, doctors) who say they’re appalled at the way the government’s compensation system is fostering a culture of mistrust. It reminds them of a totalitarian state like North Korea, where you can’t trust your neighbors who might report you for some casual remark you made…

If there were such a thing in United States, I’d be a millionaire because I always have my tiny camcorder with me and every other store here in Los Angeles (even the 7-11, for heavens’ sake!) does not give customers a receipt.