Deciding what to watch next is a common discussion, and sometimes a minor argument, for many couples. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for navigating the conversation (or friendly debate!) about choosing the next TV show to binge-watch with your partner.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이번엔 내가 고를 차례야!
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn to pick this time!
Basic Argument Phrases
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Expression: 뭐 볼까?
Pronunciation: mwo bol-kka?
Meaning: What should we watch? -
Expression: 이거 보자.
Pronunciation: i-geo bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s watch this. -
Expression: 아니, 저거 보자.
Pronunciation: a-ni, jeo-geo bo-ja.
Meaning: No, let’s watch that. -
Expression: 그거 재미없어 보여.
Pronunciation: geu-geo jae-mi-eop-seo bo-yeo.
Meaning: That looks boring. -
Expression: 다른 거 없어?
Pronunciation: da-reun geo eop-seo?
Meaning: Isn’t there anything else? -
Expression: 왜 맨날 네가 보고 싶은 것만 봐?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal ne-ga bo-go si-peun geot-man bwa?
Meaning: Why do we always watch only what you want to watch? -
Expression: 저번에 네가 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: jeo-beon-e ne-ga gol-lat-jan-a.
Meaning: You picked last time. -
Expression: 이건 너무 유치해.
Pronunciation: i-geon neo-mu yu-chi-hae.
Meaning: This is too childish. -
Expression: 스포일러 하지 마!
Pronunciation: seu-po-il-leo ha-ji ma!
Meaning: Don’t spoil it! -
Expression: 그냥 아무거나 틀어.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang a-mu-geo-na teu-reo.
Meaning: Just put on anything. -
Expression: 결정 좀 해.
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong jom hae.
Meaning: Make a decision already.
Stating Preferences
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Expression: 나는 액션 영화 보고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun aek-syeon yeong-hwa bo-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to watch an action movie. -
Expression: 로맨틱 코미디는 어때?
Pronunciation: ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di-neun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about a romantic comedy? -
Expression: 요즘 이 드라마가 인기래.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum i deu-ra-ma-ga in-gi-rae.
Meaning: They say this drama is popular these days. -
Expression: 나는 스릴러가 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun seu-ril-leo-ga jo-a.
Meaning: I like thrillers. -
Expression: 다큐멘터리 볼까?
Pronunciation: da-kyu-men-teo-ri bol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we watch a documentary? -
Expression: 무서운 거 말고 다른 거.
Pronunciation: mu-seo-un geo mal-go da-reun geo.
Meaning: Something else, not scary stuff. -
Expression: 내가 보고 싶은 거 있는데.
Pronunciation: nae-ga bo-go si-peun geo it-neun-de.
Meaning: There’s something I want to watch. -
Expression: 이거 평점이 높아.
Pronunciation: i-geo pyeong-jeom-i no-pa.
Meaning: This has high ratings. -
Expression: 예고편 봤는데 재밌어 보여.
Pronunciation: ye-go-pyeon bwat-neun-de jae-mi-sseo bo-yeo.
Meaning: I saw the trailer, and it looks fun. -
Expression: 주인공이 내가 좋아하는 배우야.
Pronunciation: ju-in-gong-i nae-ga jo-a-ha-neun bae-u-ya.
Meaning: The main character is an actor I like. -
Expression: 가벼운 거 보고 싶어.
Pronunciation: ga-byeo-un geo bo-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to watch something lighthearted.
Compromising and Negotiating
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Expression: 그럼 번갈아 가면서 고르자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo go-reu-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s take turns picking. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정할까?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we decide with rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: 이번엔 네가 보고 싶은 거 보고, 다음엔 내가 고를게.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en ne-ga bo-go si-peun geo bo-go, da-eum-en nae-ga go-reul-ge.
Meaning: Let’s watch what you want this time, and I’ll pick next time. -
Expression: 딱 한 편만 보자.
Pronunciation: ttak han pyeon-man bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s just watch one episode. -
Expression: 둘 다 보고 싶은 거 하나씩 고를까?
Pronunciation: dul da bo-go si-peun geo ha-na-ssik go-reul-kka?
Meaning: Should we each pick one thing we both want to watch? (Implies finding a common ground) -
Expression: 좋아, 네 말대로 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, ne mal-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do as you say. -
Expression: 그럼 일단 예고편부터 보자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom il-dan ye-go-pyeon-bu-teo bo-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s watch the trailer first. -
Expression: 네가 그렇게 보고 싶으면 그거 보자.
Pronunciation: ne-ga geu-reok-ke bo-go si-peu-myeon geu-geo bo-ja.
Meaning: If you want to watch it that much, let’s watch that. -
Expression: 알았어, 양보할게.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, yang-bo-hal-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll concede / give in. -
Expression: 대신 다음번엔 무조건 내가 고른다?
Pronunciation: dae-sin da-eum-beon-en mu-jo-kkeon nae-ga go-reun-da?
Meaning: But next time, I definitely get to pick, okay?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding media consumption habits in Korea can add context. Streaming services like Netflix, Wavve, and Tving are extremely popular, offering a vast library of Korean dramas, movies, and variety shows, leading to frequent “what to watch” discussions.
Korean dramas (K-dramas) cover a wide range of genres, from intense thrillers and historical epics to lighthearted romantic comedies and slice-of-life stories. Preferences can be quite strong, making the choice a significant one for a shared evening.
While playful arguments are common, resolving minor disagreements like choosing a show often involves compromise (타협 – ta-hyeop) or taking turns (번갈아 가며 – beon-ga-ra ga-myeo). Using 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) is a very common and lighthearted way to settle small disputes.
Expressing preferences directly but politely is key. Even in an argument, maintaining respect is important in Korean interactions, although couples often use more casual language (반말 – ban-mal) with each other.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple, Minjun and Sora, are settling down on the couch after dinner, trying to decide what TV show to binge-watch.
Roles:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 아, 배부르다. 이제 뭐 볼까?
Pronunciation: a, bae-bu-reu-da. i-je mwo bol-kka?
Meaning: Ah, I’m full. Now, what should we watch? -
Expression: B: 음… 저번에 보던 드라마 마저 볼까?
Pronunciation: eum… jeo-beon-e bo-deon deu-ra-ma ma-jeo bol-kka?
Meaning: Hmm… Should we finish watching that drama we started last time? -
Expression: A: 아냐, 그거 약간 지루해졌어. 다른 거 보자. 내가 봐둔 거 있는데.
Pronunciation: a-nya, geu-geo yak-gan ji-ru-hae-jyeo-sseo. da-reun geo bo-ja. nae-ga bwa-dun geo it-neun-de.
Meaning: No, that got a bit boring. Let’s watch something else. There’s something I’ve had my eye on. -
Expression: B: 안돼! 이번엔 내가 고를 차례야! 저번에도 네가 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: an-dwae! i-beon-en nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya! jeo-beon-e-do ne-ga gol-lat-jan-a.
Meaning: No way! It’s my turn to pick this time! You picked last time too. -
Expression: A: 그랬나? 기억 안 나는데… 근데 이거 진짜 재밌어 보여. 액션 스릴러야!
Pronunciation: geu-raet-na? gi-eok an na-neun-de… geun-de i-geo jin-jja jae-mi-sseo bo-yeo. aek-syeon seu-ril-leo-ya!
Meaning: Did I? I don’t remember… But this looks really fun. It’s an action thriller! -
Expression: B: 난 오늘 액션 말고 로맨틱 코미디 보고 싶은데. 가벼운 거.
Pronunciation: nan o-neul aek-syeon mal-go ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di bo-go si-peun-de. ga-byeo-un geo.
Meaning: I don’t feel like action today, I want to watch a romantic comedy. Something lighthearted. -
Expression: A: 에이, 로코는 맨날 비슷하잖아. 이거 평점 엄청 높아.
Pronunciation: e-i, ro-ko-neun maen-nal bi-seu-ta-jan-a. i-geo pyeong-jeom eom-cheong no-pa.
Meaning: Aww, rom-coms are always similar. This one has really high ratings. -
Expression: B: 그럼 가위바위보 하자! 지는 사람이 양보하기.
Pronunciation: geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja! ji-neun sa-ram-i yang-bo-ha-gi.
Meaning: Then let’s do rock-paper-scissors! Loser gives in. -
Expression: A: 좋아! 가위, 바위, 보! … 아, 졌네.
Pronunciation: jo-a! ga-wi, ba-wi, bo! … a, jeot-ne.
Meaning: Okay! Rock, paper, scissors! … Ah, I lost. -
Expression: B: 하하, 이겼다! 그럼 내가 보고 싶은 로코 보자. 대신 다음엔 네 스릴러 볼게.
Pronunciation: ha-ha, i-gyeot-da! geu-reom nae-ga bo-go si-peun ro-ko bo-ja. dae-sin da-eum-en ne seu-ril-leo bol-ge.
Meaning: Haha, I won! Then let’s watch the rom-com I want. But next time, I’ll watch your thriller. -
Expression: A: 알았어… 팝콘이나 가져와야겠다.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo… pap-kon-i-na ga-jyeo-wa-ya-get-da.
Meaning: Okay… I guess I’ll go get the popcorn.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can make your Korean sound more natural in everyday situations! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or language partner~ You can switch roles and try different compromises. Pay attention to the nuances – when to use casual language (반말 – ban-mal) versus more polite forms depending on your relationship. Watching Korean dramas or variety shows where couples interact can also provide great examples! Good luck, and happy watching! ^^
