마이동풍 馬耳東風

This idiom originates from the poem 'Replying to Wang Twelve's Reflections While Drinking Alone on a Cold Night' by the legendary Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. He used this expression to criticize a society that failed to appreciate the noble thoughts and sincere advice of poets. He wrote, 'When people hear this, they all shake their heads, just like the East wind blowing into a horse’s ear.' While the warm spring wind (the East wind) usually brings joy to people, a horse feels nothing from it. Today, this term is often reinterpreted as a symbol of self-confidence, representing the modern mindset of staying true to one's path without being swayed by the noise of groundless criticism.