Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sensationalism" in Korean
“Sensationalism” in Korean is 선정주의 (pronounced "seonjeongju-ui").
선정주의
seonjeongju-ui
Usage & Context
Sensationalism is the practice of using shocking or exaggerated stories to attract attention. Some Korean online media outlets are criticized for sensationalism to drive clicks.
Example Sentence
선정주의 기사는 독자를 끌기 위해 과장된 표현을 쓴다.
Sensationalist articles use exaggerated language to attract readers.
How to use 선정주의 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sensationalism” is 선정주의, romanized as seonjeongju-ui.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 선정주의.
Pronunciation Guide
선정주의 (seonjeongju-ui) is pronounced 'sun-jung-joo-ee'. '선' sounds like 'sun'. '정' sounds like 'jung' in 'jungle'. '주' sounds like 'joo' in 'juice'. '의' is often pronounced like 'ee' or 'i' when it's not the first syllable, so here it's 'ee'.
More Example Sentences
Criticizing online news practices.
일부 인터넷 매체는 클릭 수를 위해 선정주의 기사를 쓴다.
Some internet media write sensationalist articles for clicks.
Discussing a TV show that received criticism for its content.
그 드라마는 선정주의 논란에 휩싸였다.
That drama was embroiled in a sensationalism controversy.
A general statement about media ethics and public trust.
선정주의는 언론의 신뢰도를 떨어뜨린다.
Sensationalism lowers the credibility of the media.
Cultural Context
Sensationalism is a frequently discussed topic in Korean media, especially concerning online news portals and entertainment news. The fierce competition for clicks and views often leads to headlines and content that are exaggerated or focus on scandalous details. K-pop and celebrity news are particularly prone to '선정주의,' leading to public fatigue and criticism of '기레기' (giregi, a portmanteau of 기자 'reporter' + 쓰레기 'trash', meaning 'trash reporter').
Editorial note
We review entries like 선정주의 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
선정주의 보도
Sensationalist reporting
선정주의 논란
Sensationalism controversy
선정주의를 비판하다
To criticize sensationalism
Related Expressions
옐로우 저널리즘
yellou jeolleollijeum
Yellow journalism (loanword)
자극적
jageukjeok
Provocative/Stimulating
과장 보도
gwajang bodo
Exaggerated reporting
낚시성 기사
nakssiseong gisa
Clickbait article (literally 'fishing' article)
More Media & Journalism Words
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