-건만 means "but" or "however" - literary form expressing contrast.
Unfulfilled expectation - 열심히 했건만 실패했다 (worked hard but failed)
Regret/disappointment - Despite efforts, result was different
Literary tone - More formal than -지만
Written/literary style
Often expresses disappointment
Contracted from -거늘 + 만
I did my best, but the result wasnt good.
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