What Does This Mean?
Korean fandom slang, short for 일반인 코스프레 ("cosplaying as an ordinary person"), meaning to hide one's enthusiastic fan or otaku identity from family, classmates or coworkers. The opposite is usually expressed as 일코 해제 (dropping the act).
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
"At the new job he kept up the "일코" and never mentioned his idol fandom until a coworker spotted the photocard on his phone case."
LORE & ORIGIN
Abbreviation of 일반인 (ordinary person) and 코스프레 (cosplay). A 2015 article on the Incheon city website introduced it as new slang among fans of comics and animation. Korean wiki coverage gives reasons for the practice such as fear that others look down on otaku culture, the atmosphere of military service and disapproving family members. It is used mainly among fans of anime and idols. The exact date and place of first use are not documented in the sources found.
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