Korean Dictionary
How to say "Popular" in Korean
“Popular” in Korean is 인싸 (pronounced "inssa").
인싸
inssa
Usage & Context
Slang for someone who is popular, outgoing, and socially active. Refers to people who are well-liked and part of the in-crowd.
Example Sentence
그 학생 진짜 인싸야.
That student is really popular.
How to use 인싸 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Popular” is 인싸, romanized as inssa.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 인싸.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '인싸' as 'in-ssa'. 'In' sounds like the English word 'in'. 'Ssa' is a tense, double 's' sound, similar to 'sa' in 'sad' but with more emphasis and tension, almost like 'ssah'.
More Example Sentences
Students discussing the most popular person in their university major.
우리 과에서 제일 인싸는 역시 지민이지.
The biggest 'inssa' in our department is definitely Jimin.
Someone expressing a desire to be more socially active and popular.
나도 인싸처럼 주말에 약속 많았으면 좋겠다.
I wish I had a lot of plans on the weekend like an 'inssa'.
Friends talking about a trendy spot that attracts popular, fashionable people.
그 카페는 인싸들만 가는 곳 같아.
That cafe seems like a place only 'inssas' go to.
Cultural Context
`인싸` (inssa) is a popular slang term derived from 'insider'. It refers to someone who is popular, outgoing, socially active, and well-connected within their social circles. They are often seen as trendsetters, have many friends, and are always invited to social gatherings. The term is widely used among young Koreans, especially in school and university settings, and often appears in K-pop and K-drama contexts to describe charismatic characters.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 인싸 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
진정한 인싸.
A true 'inssa'.
인싸템
An 'inssa' item (a trendy item popular among 'inssas').
인싸 되는 법.
How to become an 'inssa'.
Related Expressions
아싸
assa
outsider, outcast (antonym)
핵인싸
haeginssa
super inssa, extremely popular person (lit. 'nuclear inssa')
마당발
madangbal
someone with a wide network of connections
인기 많다
ingi manta
to be popular
More Slang Words
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