Discussing TV shows is a great way to connect with others, and knowing how to ask for and give recommendations for Korean TV programs can significantly enhance your conversations and cultural understanding. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for requesting suggestions for dramas, variety shows, and more, helping you discover your next favorite Korean show.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 한국 TV 프로그램 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: han-guk ti-bi peu-ro-geu-raem chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a Korean TV program.
Basic Recommendation Questions
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Expression: 요즘 재미있는 한국 드라마 있어요?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum jae-mi-it-neun han-guk deu-ra-ma i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any interesting Korean dramas lately? -
Expression: 볼 만한 예능 프로그램 추천 좀 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: bol man-han ye-neung peu-ro-geu-raem chu-cheon jom hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a variety show worth watching. -
Expression: 어떤 장르 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jang-neu jo-a-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What genre do you like? (Used when asking someone else to tailor their recommendation) -
Expression: 이 배우가 나오는 드라마 추천해 줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i bae-u-ga na-o-neun deu-ra-ma chu-cheon-hae jul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend a drama featuring this actor? -
Expression: 최근에 인기 있는 프로그램 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: choe-geun-e in-gi it-neun peu-ro-geu-raem mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What programs are popular recently? -
Expression: 넷플릭스에서 볼 만한 한국 드라마 있어요?
Pronunciation: net-peul-lik-seu-e-seo bol man-han han-guk deu-ra-ma i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any Korean dramas worth watching on Netflix? -
Expression: 가볍게 볼 수 있는 거 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ga-byeop-ge bol su it-neun geo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something lighthearted to watch. -
Expression: 이 드라마 어때요? 재미있어요?
Pronunciation: i deu-ra-ma eo-ttae-yo? jae-mi-i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How is this drama? Is it fun/interesting? -
Expression: 줄거리가 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: jul-geo-ri-ga eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: What is the plot/storyline? -
Expression: 너무 무겁지 않은 걸로 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu mu-geop-ji a-neun geol-lo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something that isn’t too heavy/serious. -
Expression: 혹시 추천해 주실 만한 다큐멘터리 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han da-kyu-men-teo-ri i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have any documentaries you could recommend? -
Expression: 요즘 핫한 예능이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum hat-han ye-neung-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s a hot/trending variety show these days?
Describing Your Preferences
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Expression: 저는 로맨틱 코미디를 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di-reul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like romantic comedies. -
Expression: 액션이나 스릴러 장르를 선호해요.
Pronunciation: aek-syeon-i-na seu-ril-leo jang-neu-reul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer action or thriller genres. -
Expression: 역사 드라마는 별로 안 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: yeok-sa deu-ra-ma-neun byeol-lo an jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t really like historical dramas (sageuk). -
Expression: 슬픈 이야기는 피하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: seul-peun i-ya-gi-neun pi-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to avoid sad stories. -
Expression: 가족들이랑 같이 볼 수 있는 프로그램을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-i-rang ga-chi bol su it-neun peu-ro-geu-raem-eul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a program I can watch with my family. -
Expression: 너무 길지 않은 드라마였으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu gil-ji a-neun deu-ra-ma-yeot-seu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I hope it’s not too long of a drama. -
Expression: 유명한 배우가 나오는 걸 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yu-myeong-han bae-u-ga na-o-neun geol bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to watch something with famous actors. -
Expression: 요즘 유행하는 스타일의 드라마를 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum yu-haeng-ha-neun seu-ta-il-ui deu-ra-ma-reul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to watch a drama in a currently trending style. -
Expression: 생각할 거리를 주는 드라마가 좋아요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-hal geo-ri-reul ju-neun deu-ra-ma-ga jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I like dramas that give you something to think about. -
Expression: 가볍게 웃으면서 볼 수 있는 예능이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ga-byeop-ge u-seu-myeon-seo bol su it-neun ye-neung-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I like variety shows that I can watch lightly while laughing. -
Expression: 판타지 장르도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: pan-ta-ji jang-neu-do gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: Fantasy genre is okay too. -
Expression: 너무 잔인하거나 폭력적인 건 싫어요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu jan-in-ha-geo-na pok-ryeok-jeo-gin geon si-reo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t like things that are too cruel or violent.
Reacting to Recommendations
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Expression: 오, 그거 들어봤어요.
Pronunciation: o, geu-geo deu-reo-bwa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I’ve heard of that one. -
Expression: 재미있을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jae-mi-i-sseul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like it would be interesting/fun. -
Expression: 한번 볼게요. 고마워요.
Pronunciation: han-beon bol-ge-yo. go-ma-wo-yo.
Meaning: I’ll give it a watch. Thank you. -
Expression: 그 배우 저도 좋아해요!
Pronunciation: geu bae-u jeo-do jo-a-hae-yo!
Meaning: I like that actor too! -
Expression: 줄거리가 흥미롭네요.
Pronunciation: jul-geo-ri-ga heung-mi-rom-ne-yo.
Meaning: The plot sounds interesting. -
Expression: 이미 봤어요. 다른 거 추천해 줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-mi bwa-sseo-yo. da-reun geo chu-cheon-hae jul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: I’ve already seen it. Can you recommend something else? -
Expression: 제 취향은 아닌 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: je chwi-hyang-eun a-nin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I don’t think it’s my taste. -
Expression: 평점이 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: pyeong-jeom-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How are the ratings? -
Expression: 어디서 볼 수 있어요? (예: 넷플릭스에 있어요?)
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo bol su i-sseo-yo? (ye: net-peul-lik-seu-e i-sseo-yo?)
Meaning: Where can I watch it? (Example: Is it on Netflix?) -
Expression: 추천해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the recommendation. -
Expression: 다음에 꼭 찾아볼게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e kkok cha-ja-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll definitely look it up next time. -
Expression: 친구들한테도 물어봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul-han-te-do mu-reo-bwa-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I should ask my friends too.
Korean Culture Notes
Korean dramas (드라마 – deu-ra-ma) and variety shows (예능 – ye-neung) are incredibly popular both domestically and internationally. Discussing them is a common conversation topic among friends and colleagues.
Genres play a big role. Common ones include 로맨틱 코미디 (ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di – romantic comedy), 사극 (sa-geuk – historical drama), 스릴러 (seu-ril-leo – thriller), 액션 (aek-syeon – action), and 막장 드라마 (mak-jang deu-ra-ma – overly dramatic, often unrealistic soap operas).
Streaming services like Netflix (넷플릭스 – net-peul-lik-seu), Wavve (웨이브 – we-i-beu), and Tving (티빙 – ti-bing) are the primary ways people watch shows now, making phrases like “넷플릭스에 있어요?” (net-peul-lik-seu-e i-sseo-yo? – Is it on Netflix?) very common.
The concept of “본방사수” (bon-bang-sa-su), which means watching a show live as it airs, is still relevant, especially for highly anticipated dramas, although binge-watching on streaming platforms is also very popular.
When recommending, Koreans often consider the actors (배우 – bae-u), the writer (작가 – jak-ga), the director (감독 – gam-dok), and viewer ratings (시청률 – si-cheong-ryul or 평점 – pyeong-jeom).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex wants to find a new Korean drama to watch and asks their Korean friend, Minji, for a recommendation.
Roles: A: Alex (Learner), B: Minji (Korean Friend)
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Expression: A: 민지 씨, 저 요즘 한국 드라마 보고 싶은데, 추천 좀 해 줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: min-ji ssi, jeo yo-jeum han-guk deu-ra-ma bo-go si-peun-de, chu-cheon jom hae jul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Minji, I want to watch a Korean drama these days, can you give me a recommendation? -
Expression: B: 그럼요! 어떤 장르 좋아해요? 로맨틱 코미디? 아니면 스릴러?
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo! eo-tteon jang-neu jo-a-hae-yo? ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di? a-ni-myeon seu-ril-leo?
Meaning: B: Of course! What genre do you like? Romantic comedy? Or thriller? -
Expression: A: 음… 저는 너무 무겁지 않고 재미있는 거 보고 싶어요. 로맨틱 코미디 좋아요!
Pronunciation: eum… jeo-neun neo-mu mu-geop-ji an-ko jae-mi-it-neun geo bo-go si-peo-yo. ro-maen-tik ko-mi-di jo-a-yo!
Meaning: A: Hmm… I want to watch something fun that isn’t too heavy. I like romantic comedies! -
Expression: B: 아, 그럼 최근에 끝난 ‘사랑의 불시착’ 어때요? 엄청 인기 많았어요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reom choe-geun-e kkeun-nan ‘sa-rang-ui bul-si-chak’ eo-ttae-yo? eom-cheong in-gi ma-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, then how about ‘Crash Landing on You’ which finished recently? It was extremely popular. -
Expression: A: 오, 그거 들어봤어요! 재미있어요? 넷플릭스에 있어요?
Pronunciation: o, geu-geo deu-reo-bwa-sseo-yo! jae-mi-i-sseo-yo? net-peul-lik-seu-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, I’ve heard of that one! Is it fun? Is it on Netflix? -
Expression: B: 네, 진짜 재미있어요. 로맨스도 있고 코미디도 있고, 배우들도 연기 잘해요. 넷플릭스에도 있고요.
Pronunciation: ne, jin-jja jae-mi-i-sseo-yo. ro-maen-seu-do it-go ko-mi-di-do it-go, bae-u-deul-do yeon-gi jal-hae-yo. net-peul-lik-seu-e-do it-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it’s really fun. It has romance and comedy, and the actors are great. It’s on Netflix too. -
Expression: A: 와, 좋아요! 그럼 그거 한번 볼게요. 추천 고마워요!
Pronunciation: wa, jo-a-yo! geu-reom geu-geo han-beon bol-ge-yo. chu-cheon go-ma-wo-yo!
Meaning: A: Wow, great! Then I’ll give that one a watch. Thanks for the recommendation! -
Expression: B: 네, 재미있게 보세요! 보고 나서 어땠는지 알려주세요~
Pronunciation: ne, jae-mi-it-ge bo-se-yo! bo-go na-seo eo-ttae-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo~
Meaning: B: Yes, enjoy watching it! Let me know what you thought after you watch it~
Practice Tips
The best way to master these phrases is to use them! Try asking your Korean friends or language exchange partners for TV show recommendations~ Mention the genres you like using the phrases you learned today. You can also practice describing shows you’ve already watched and explaining why you liked or disliked them. Watching interviews or variety shows where celebrities recommend programs can also expose you to natural usage. Don’t be shy, give it a try! Happy watching!
