The Brief: "Cute NGL," shorthand for "cute, not gonna lie" is a way to compliment someone for being cute.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

The coy phrase “cute NGL” is a popular way for Gen Z-ers to compliment a friend’s appearance, to swoon over a celebrity, or to caption a selfie. Similar to “felt cute, might delete later,” cute NGL is a way of highlighting the cuteness of a person, animal, or cartoon character, perhaps one with smol bean-like characteristics.