In the world of K-pop, aegyo is a cute and exaggerated way of speaking or acting. You know the vibe of baby voices, finger hearts, pouting like you forgot your feeding bottle, and blinking like a spoilt cartoon character. K-pop idols do aegyo to charm fans and they scream in return because when Oppas smile, everyone is happy.

Now, bring Nigerians into the equation. We don’t really do cute over here. Our love language is insults and direct jabs. So when a Nigerian witnesses an idol doing aegyo for the first time, the reaction is not “Awwww,” it’s more like “Is this one okay?”

Let’s take time to see how Nigerians might classify this internationally adored behavior, because from this side of the equator, they see aegyo as being “childish.”

BTS – Jungkook’s Bunny Aegyo

He pouts and says “saranghae” or “ARMYs” in a baby voice, especially at concerts. Sometimes, he also completes it with the peace sign close to his eyes like Jimin. A typical Nigerian who isn’t a fan would think, “Wetin dey worry this one? You no fit talk like man?”

Meanwhile, it’s the kind of charm that could crash a relationship because Nigerian fangirls would scream in happiness if they got to witness that live. “This is why I love my seven men; see me smiling like a mumu,” is something they can blurt out without any remorse.

TWICE – Full Squad Aegyo Attack

TWICE could do aegyo even in a room full of military personnel because that’s their signature and they don’t care about your rank. They sing “Cheer Up Baby” with sweet faces that you can’t help but smile along with. A random Nigerian seeing them might think, “Baby voice? At your big age? Abeg jor!”

The serious aunties might say, “If this is what girls are doing on TikTok now, we’re finished. Na wa o.” and Nigerian moms would just hiss and say, “This your people sef.”

SEVENTEEN – Mingyu and Seungkwan’s Dramatic Aegyo

These boys whine and pretend to cry cutely; they do finger hearts just to make the hearts of their fans jingle like Christmas bells. Aegyo in this situation is seen as a dangerous but harmless psychological tool for manipulating hearts, especially if it comes with dimples but if a Nigerian guy happens to watch them, their next reaction would probably be “Omo, if this guy ever tries this in Warri, e go collect slap wey go reset his brain sharp!”

But can we blame them? Naija guys don’t cry on cue unless they’re in court or trying to avoid breaking up where they clearly are at fault or trying to manipulate you, of course.

BLACKPINK – Jennie’s Softie Style

She blinks slowly, smiles like a cat, and does aegyo like a rich kid asking for another vacation or the latest iPhone. If a Nigerian lady ever does this for her boyfriend when trying to get something from him, he can actually go, “Which kain almajiri style be this?”

We just prefer you ask for something with your full chest rather than twisting and turning, trying to sound cute, because we don’t really care about cuteness here.

While aegyo can grant you several passes in Korea, in Nigeria, it could get you a confused stare from your uncle or auntie or a resetting slap from your mom with a solid question of “Why are you talking like a cat?” But for us fans who understand the assignment, we’ll still replay it at night and smile sheepishly because whether it’s cringe or charm, K-pop idols know how to pull our heartstrings like bass guitars, and we are not complaining at all.