Caetangil

Caetangil (Korean: 개탄길) is a Korean word that translates roughly to "a road or path of lamentation," "a path of sorrowful regret," or "a rueful road." It describes a course of action, decision, or life trajectory that leads to regret, disappointment, and unhappiness. The word emphasizes a sense of knowing, either during or after the journey, that the chosen path is bringing about negative consequences. It isn't simply sadness, but rather a sense of responsibility for the negative outcome, stemming from a particular choice or series of choices. The intensity of the feeling implied by Caetangil is often significant, implying deep remorse or a profound sense of being trapped in an undesirable situation of one's own making.