“Delulu” is a popular Gen-Z slang term derived from the word “delusional.” If you have been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram lately, you might have seen the catchy phrase, “Delulu is the solulu,” meaning that delusion is the solution. “Delulu” originally emerged in the early 2010s within K-pop fan communities. Back then, it was primarily used as an insulting term to describe fans who held unrealistic fantasies about having romantic relationships with their favorite idols. However, Gen-Z has recently redefined “delulu.”

Today, being “delulu” is no longer just about celebrity crushes. It is about maintaining a positive mindset, even when faced with a harsh reality. Many young people use it as a humorous coping mechanism to overcome the anxieties of modern life, career struggles, and dating. For instance, if you bomb a job interview but still convince yourself you’ll somehow get the job, you are being “delulu.” Instead of viewing this as a negative detachment from reality, Gen-Z em braces it as a form of confidence. By believing in your own “delulu” mindset, you might find the courage or a solution to make your goals come true.

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Jungwoo Han

han0413@seoultech.ac.kr

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