Whatever people say

This pattern, -니 뭐니 해도, is used to brush aside various opinions, excuses, or factors to emphasize a more important, underlying truth. It's equivalent to saying "Regardless of X or Y..." or "Whatever people say about X..." to get to your main point.

Formation

The pattern connects two contrasting or related ideas before the concluding phrase 해도 (even if one does/says).

Nouns: Attach -(이)니 뭐니 해도.

Noun ending in a consonant + 이니 뭐니 해도 (e.g., 돈 -> 돈이니 뭐니 해도)

Noun ending in a vowel + 니 뭐니 해도 (e.g., 외모 -> 외모니 뭐니 해도)

뭐니 acts as a catch-all for "or whatever," dismissing the noun and related topics.

Verbs/Adjectives: Attach -(으)니 to two different stems, followed by 해도.

Contrasting Pairs: [Stem]니 [Opposite Stem]니 해도 (e.g., 싫다/좋다 -> 싫니 좋니 해도)

General Dismissal: [Stem]니 어쩌니 해도 (e.g., 바쁘다 -> 바쁘니 어쩌니 해도). Here, 어쩌니 works like 뭐니, meaning "or whatever excuses."

돈이니 뭐니 해도 건강이 최고야. / 싫니 좋니 해도 가족이야. / 바쁘니 어쩌니 해도 다 핑계야.

This pattern is often used to express a strong personal conviction or a widely accepted truth, often pairing with specific types of clauses.

Nuance: Asserting a Priority

The tone of -니 뭐니 해도 is inherently assertive. The speaker is acknowledging other factors (like money, design, being busy) but deliberately setting them aside to declare what really matters. It's not for neutral observations but for making a point with conviction.

Common Main Clauses

The main clause that follows often contains expressions that state an ultimate truth or value:

최고다 (is the best): ...건강이 최고야.

제일이다 (is number one/first): ...가족이 제일이야.

중요하다 (is important): ...성격이 중요해.

It can also be followed by a statement of an undeniable fact or outcome, despite the preceding conditions.

...명품은 잘 팔려. (Luxury goods sell well.)

...나갈 사람은 나가. (People who will go out, go out.)