jjaksarang

Also written: jjak sarang; one-sided love; unrequited love

A Korean noun for loving or having romantic feelings for someone who does not return those feelings or does not know about them.

Literal meaning

one-sided love

Cultural context

Jjaksarang emphasizes the one-sided nature of the feeling. It can remain secret, be misunderstood as friendship, or continue after the other person has chosen someone else.

How dramas use it

Second leads, childhood friends, coworkers, and quiet protectors often carry a jjaksarang through long stretches of the story before confessing, letting go, or being recognized too late.

Usage & formality

It describes the speaker’s situation, not the moral value of the feeling. Persistent affection does not justify violating another character’s boundaries.