water pistol
water pistol, 물총
This emoji originally represented a toy water pistol. It's a fun toy often used for water play in the summer.
Recently, to reduce violence, the design has been changed from an actual gun shape to a toy water pistol. It is used with the meaning of having fun.
이 이모지는 원래 장난감 물총을 나타내요. 여름철 물놀이할 때 자주 사용하는 재미있는 장난감이에요.
최근에는 폭력성을 줄이기 위해 실제 총 모양에서 장난감 물총으로 디자인이 변경되었어요. 재미있게 놀자는 의미로 사용돼요.
The evolution of this emoji in digital communication reflects an important value change in modern society. Major IT companies changing the design from an actual gun to a water pistol since 2016 is a good example of promoting non-violence.
In games or sports, it is used to mean 'hit' or 'accurate strike', and among Generation MZ, it is also used with a positive meaning like 'cool' or 'awesome'. It is often seen in the esports community in particular.