Nunchi: The Korean Art of Reading Between the Lines and Developing Emotional Intelligence

If you feel like you’re having trouble communicating with those around you, whether in a professional or personal setting, you might want to practice nunchi. This ancient Korean concept, over 5000 years old, could be a valuable asset in developing your emotional intelligence.

Origins and Meaning of Nunchi

Nunchi (눈치) literally means “eye measure.” It refers to “the art and ability to listen and gauge what people are thinking and feeling.” This concept allows for better communication and enrichment of one’s emotional intelligence. It’s a refined form of attentive observation and subtle interpretation of others’ non-verbal signals.

The Popularization of Nunchi

Although nunchi is a millennia-old concept, its recent popularization is largely attributed to Euny Hong, a journalist and author of the book “The Power of Nunchi”. Since the publication of her book, several psychology specialists have explored this concept, including Deborah Romain-Delacour, a doctor in social psychology. “It’s like reading between the lines: implicit gestures often have more meaning than words. Nunchi thus allows you to capture the emotional states of your interlocutor, so you can better position yourself in…