-(으)ㄹ망정 — even though, although, despite

This expression is used when hypothesizing the content in the preceding clause.

It indicates the subject's strong will to choose the situation in the preceding clause if he or she had to choose between two situations, one in the preceding clause and one in the following clause.

In many cases, negative or extreme situations are stated in the preceding clause to emphasize the following clause or to clarify the subject's intention.

Details

This expression acknowledges some fact in the preceding clause but then introduces a contradictory or opposing fact in the following clause.

그 영화는 흥행에 성공하지는 못했을망정 예술적 인 가치는 높이 평가됐다.

While that movie didn't succeed at the box office, it has been highly praised for its artistic val니e.

그들이 민주화를 이루어 가는 방식은 서로 다를망정 나라를 사랑하는 마음은 다 같다.

While they have mutually different ways of achieving democratic change, their love of country is the same.

1. This expression is also often used in the forms -지는 못할망정 and 은/는 못할망정 but in such cases, it indicates that while a normal, everyday situation was expected, in reality, that was not the case, and that something very surprising or shocking happened.

그 사람은 자기가 잘못해 놓고 사과하지는 못할망정 오히 려 화를 냈다.

Rather than apologize for his mistake, he (shockingly) became angry.

경기를 앞둔 선수들에게 격려는 못할망정 욕을 해 대는 사람들도 있었다.

Rather than encourage the players right before the game, there were (even) people who cursed at them.

2. This expression can be replaced with -(으)ㄹ지언정 without a major change in meaning, but -(으)ㄹ지언정 has a slightly stronger nuance than -(으)ㄹ망정.

동생은 길에서 얼어 죽을지언정 집에는 절대로 들어가지 않겠다고 버티고 있다.

그 영화는 흥행에 성공하지는 못했을지언정 예술적인 가치는 높이 평가됐다.

Kimchi Reader

Acknowledge or assume the truth of the first part and emphasize a contrasting fact in the second.