Deciding on entertainment, like which play to see, involves expressing preferences, asking questions, and making suggestions. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for discussing and choosing a play with someone, perfect for planning a night out at the theater in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expressions for Choosing
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Expression: 오늘 밤 무슨 연극 볼까요?
Pronunciation: o-neul bam mu-seun yeon-geuk bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: What play should we watch tonight? (Polite) -
Expression: 어떤 연극 보고 싶어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon yeon-geuk bo-go sip-eo-yo?
Meaning: Which play do you want to see? -
Expression: 연극 예매하다
Pronunciation: yeon-geuk ye-mae-ha-da
Meaning: To book tickets for a play
Suggesting Plays
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Expression: 이 연극 어때요? 요즘 인기 많대요.
Pronunciation: i yeon-geuk eo-ttae-yo? yo-jeum in-gi man-tae-yo.
Meaning: How about this play? I heard it’s very popular these days. -
Expression: 코미디 연극 보는 거 좋아해요?
Pronunciation: ko-mi-di yeon-geuk bo-neun geo jo-a-hae-yo?
Meaning: Do you like watching comedy plays? -
Expression: 새로 시작한 뮤지컬이 있는데, 그거 볼래요?
Pronunciation: sae-ro si-jak-han myu-ji-keol-i it-neun-de, geu-geo bol-lae-yo?
Meaning: There’s a new musical that just started, shall we watch that? -
Expression: 대학로에 재미있는 연극 많다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: dae-hang-no-e jae-mi-it-neun yeon-geuk man-ta-go deur-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard there are many fun plays in Daehangno. -
Expression: 이 배우가 나오는 연극 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i bae-u-ga na-o-neun yeon-geuk bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see a play featuring this actor/actress. -
Expression: 평점이 높은 연극을 찾아볼까요?
Pronunciation: pyeong-jeom-i nop-eun yeon-geuk-eul chaj-a-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we look for plays with high ratings? -
Expression: 로맨스 연극은 어때요?
Pronunciation: ro-maen-seu yeon-geuk-eun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about a romance play? -
Expression: 아니면 스릴러 연극은요?
Pronunciation: a-ni-myeon seu-ril-leo yeon-geuk-eun-yo?
Meaning: Or what about a thriller play? -
Expression: 친구가 이 연극을 추천해 줬어요.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-ga i yeon-geuk-eul chu-cheon-hae jwoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: My friend recommended this play. -
Expression: 가족들이 함께 볼 만한 연극도 있어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-i ham-kke bol man-han yeon-geuk-do iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There are also plays suitable for families to watch together.
Expressing Preferences and Opinions
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Expression: 저는 코미디를 더 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun ko-mi-di-reul deo jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer comedies more. -
Expression: 그 연극은 제 취향이 아니에요.
Pronunciation: geu yeon-geuk-eun je chwi-hyang-i a-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: That play is not my taste. -
Expression: 너무 슬픈 이야기는 보고 싶지 않아요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu seul-peun i-ya-gi-neun bo-go sip-ji an-a-yo.
Meaning: I don’t want to watch stories that are too sad. -
Expression: 평이 좋던데요. 재미있을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: pyeong-i jo-teon-de-yo. jae-mi-iss-eul geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: The reviews are good. I think it will be fun. -
Expression: 줄거리를 좀 더 알아보고 결정해요.
Pronunciation: jul-geo-ri-reul jom deo ar-a-bo-go gyeol-jeong-hae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s find out more about the plot before deciding. -
Expression: 저는 아무거나 괜찮아요. 당신이 고르세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun a-mu-geo-na gwaen-chan-a-yo. dang-sin-i go-reu-se-yo.
Meaning: Anything is fine with me. You choose. -
Expression: 그 배우 연기를 잘한다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: geu bae-u yeon-gi-reul jal-han-da-go deur-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard that actor/actress performs well. -
Expression: 전에 비슷한 연극을 봤는데 별로였어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-e bi-seut-han yeon-geuk-eul bwass-neun-de byeol-lo-yeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I saw a similar play before, and it wasn’t very good. -
Expression: 가볍게 웃을 수 있는 연극이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: ga-byeop-ge us-eul su it-neun yeon-geuk-i-myeon jo-kess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I hope it’s a play where we can laugh lightly. -
Expression: 생각할 거리를 주는 연극도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-hal geo-ri-reul ju-neun yeon-geuk-do jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Plays that give you something to think about are also good.
Checking Details and Making Plans
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Expression: 오늘 저녁 공연 시간 확인해 볼까요?
Pronunciation: o-neul jeo-nyeok gong-yeon si-gan hwa-gin-hae bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we check the showtime for this evening? -
Expression: 표가 아직 남아 있을까요?
Pronunciation: pyo-ga a-jik nam-a iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will there still be tickets left? -
Expression: 인터넷으로 예매하는 게 더 싸요?
Pronunciation: in-teo-nes-eu-ro ye-mae-ha-neun ge deo ssa-yo?
Meaning: Is it cheaper to book online? -
Expression: 극장 위치가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: geuk-jang wi-chi-ga eo-di-e-yo?
Meaning: Where is the theater located? -
Expression: 공연 시간이 얼마나 돼요?
Pronunciation: gong-yeon si-gan-i eol-ma-na dwae-yo?
Meaning: How long is the performance? -
Expression: 좌석은 어디가 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: jwa-seog-eun eo-di-ga jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Which seats would be good? -
Expression: 할인 받을 수 있는 방법이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hal-in bad-eul su it-neun bang-beob-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a way to get a discount? -
Expression: 연극 보기 전에 저녁 먹을 시간 있을까요?
Pronunciation: yeon-geuk bo-gi jeon-e jeo-nyeok meog-eul si-gan iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will we have time to eat dinner before the play? -
Expression: 지금 바로 예매할까요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum ba-ro ye-mae-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we book the tickets right now? -
Expression: 후기를 좀 더 찾아볼게요.
Pronunciation: hu-gi-reul jom deo chaj-a-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll look up some more reviews.
Making the Final Decision
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Expression: 좋아요, 그럼 이걸로 봐요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo, geu-reom i-geol-lo bwa-yo.
Meaning: Okay, let’s watch this one then. -
Expression: 당신이 보고 싶어하는 걸로 결정해요.
Pronunciation: dang-sin-i bo-go sip-eo-ha-neun geol-lo gyeol-jeong-hae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s decide on the one you want to see. -
Expression: 둘 다 재미있을 것 같은데, 이걸로 할까요?
Pronunciation: dul da jae-mi-iss-eul geot gat-eun-de, i-geol-lo hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Both seem fun, but shall we go with this one? -
Expression: 결정했어요! 이걸로 예매할게요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong-haess-eo-yo! i-geol-lo ye-mae-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ve decided! I’ll book tickets for this one. -
Expression: 다음에는 당신이 고른 연극을 봐요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e-neun dang-sin-i go-reun yeon-geuk-eul bwa-yo.
Meaning: Next time, let’s watch the play you choose. -
Expression: 좋아요, 합의했어요!
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo, hab-ui-haess-eo-yo!
Meaning: Okay, we’ve agreed! -
Expression: 그럼 이걸로 확정해요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geol-lo hwak-jeong-hae-yo.
Meaning: Then let’s confirm this one. -
Expression: 시간이 얼마 없으니 빨리 결정해야 해요.
Pronunciation: si-gan-i eol-ma eops-eu-ni ppal-li gyeol-jeong-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We don’t have much time, so we need to decide quickly. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정할까요?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we decide with rock-paper-scissors? (Playful) -
Expression: 결정하기 어렵네요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong-ha-gi eo-ryeom-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s hard to decide.
Korean Culture Notes
Daehangno (대학로): This area in Seoul is famous as Korea’s theater district. You’ll find numerous small and large theaters showcasing a wide variety of plays, musicals, and performances. It’s the go-to place for live theater.
Booking Tickets: While you can sometimes buy tickets at the venue, popular plays often sell out quickly. Booking online in advance through sites like Interpark Ticket or Yes24 Ticket is highly recommended. These platforms often offer discounts.
Variety of Genres: Korean theater offers a diverse range, from lighthearted romantic comedies (로맨틱 코미디, ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di) and slapstick (슬랩스틱 코미디, seul-laep-seu-tik ko-mi-di) to serious dramas (정극, jeong-geuk), thrillers (스릴러, seu-ril-leo), and large-scale musicals (뮤지컬, myu-ji-keol).
Audience Etiquette: Similar to Western theaters, arriving on time, silencing phones, and refraining from talking during the performance are standard etiquette. Photography and recording are usually prohibited.
Small Theater Culture: Daehangno, in particular, has many small theaters (소극장, so-geuk-jang) offering intimate and often interactive experiences. These are great places to discover new talent and unique productions.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are trying to decide which play to watch tonight in Daehangno.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 오늘 저녁에 연극 볼까요? 대학로에 재미있는 거 많대요.
Pronunciation: So-ra ssi, o-neul jeo-nyeog-e yeon-geuk bol-kka-yo? Dae-hang-no-e jae-mi-it-neun geo man-tae-yo.
Meaning: Sora, shall we watch a play tonight? I heard there are many fun ones in Daehangno. -
Expression: B: 좋아요! 어떤 연극 보고 싶어요? 저는 코미디가 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! eo-tteon yeon-geuk bo-go sip-eo-yo? jeo-neun ko-mi-di-ga bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Sounds good! Which play do you want to see? I want to watch a comedy. -
Expression: A: 음… 이 연극 어때요? ‘웃음 폭탄’이라고 하는데, 후기가 아주 좋아요.
Pronunciation: eum… i yeon-geuk eo-ttae-yo? ‘us-eum pok-tan’-i-ra-go ha-neun-de, hu-gi-ga a-ju jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Hmm… How about this play? It’s called ‘Laughter Bomb’, and the reviews are really good. -
Expression: B: 아, 그거 들어봤어요. 근데 저는 좀 더 로맨틱 코미디가 좋은데… 혹시 그런 건 없어요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-geo deur-eo-bwass-eo-yo. geun-de jeo-neun jom deo ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di-ga jo-eun-de… hok-si geu-reon geon eops-eo-yo?
Meaning: Ah, I’ve heard of that one. But I prefer romantic comedies a bit more… Are there any like that? -
Expression: A: 잠시만요, 찾아볼게요… 아, 여기 ‘달콤한 나의 도시’라는 로맨틱 코미디가 있네요. 평점도 높아요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, chaj-a-bol-ge-yo… a, yeo-gi ‘dal-kom-han na-ui do-si’-ra-neun ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di-ga it-ne-yo. pyeong-jeom-do nop-a-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment, let me check… Ah, here’s a romantic comedy called ‘My Sweet City’. The rating is high too. -
Expression: B: 오, 그거 좋네요! 줄거리도 재미있어 보여요. 그럼 이걸로 할까요?
Pronunciation: o, geu-geo jon-ne-yo! jul-geo-ri-do jae-mi-iss-eo bo-yeo-yo. geu-reom i-geol-lo hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Oh, that sounds good! The plot looks interesting too. Shall we go with this one then? -
Expression: A: 좋아요! 그럼 ‘달콤한 나의 도시’로 예매할게요. 7시 공연 괜찮죠?
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! geu-reom ‘dal-kom-han na-ui do-si’-ro ye-mae-hal-ge-yo. il-gop-si gong-yeon gwaen-chan-jyo?
Meaning: Okay! Then I’ll book tickets for ‘My Sweet City’. Is the 7 PM show okay? -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요! 기대되네요!
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! gi-dae-doe-ne-yo!
Meaning: Yes, sounds great! I’m looking forward to it!
Practice Tips
Now you have the phrases to discuss and choose a play in Korean! Try practicing these expressions with a friend or language partner~ Role-play deciding between two different types of plays. Look up real play listings on Korean ticketing websites and practice reading the titles and descriptions. The more you use these phrases, the more natural they’ll become. Enjoy your next theater outing in Korea! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – Fighting/You can do it)!
