Attending a cosplay event in Korea is an exciting experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in pop culture and meet fellow fans. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary needed to navigate cosplay events, from registering and finding locations to interacting with other cosplayers and attendees. Learn how to express yourself clearly and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Korean cosplay gatherings.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 코스프레 이벤트 참가하기
Pronunciation: ko-seu-peu-re i-ben-teu cham-ga-ha-gi
Meaning: Participating in a cosplay event
Basic Vocabulary and Phrases
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Expression: 코스프레
Pronunciation: ko-seu-peu-re
Meaning: Cosplay -
Expression: 코스어 (or 코스플레이어)
Pronunciation: ko-seu-eo (or ko-seu-peul-le-i-eo)
Meaning: Cosplayer -
Expression: 캐릭터
Pronunciation: kae-rik-teo
Meaning: Character -
Expression: 의상
Pronunciation: ui-sang
Meaning: Costume / Outfit -
Expression: 소품
Pronunciation: so-pum
Meaning: Prop -
Expression: 가발
Pronunciation: ga-bal
Meaning: Wig -
Expression: 이벤트 / 행사
Pronunciation: i-ben-teu / haeng-sa
Meaning: Event -
Expression: 참가자
Pronunciation: cham-ga-ja
Meaning: Participant -
Expression: 등록
Pronunciation: deung-rok
Meaning: Registration -
Expression: 입장권
Pronunciation: ip-jang-gwon
Meaning: Admission ticket -
Expression: 행사장
Pronunciation: haeng-sa-jang
Meaning: Event venue -
Expression: 사진 촬영
Pronunciation: sa-jin chwal-yeong
Meaning: Photo shoot / Taking photos
Event Participation Phrases
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Expression: 이벤트에 참가하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i-ben-teu-e cham-ga-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to participate in the event. -
Expression: 코스프레 등록은 어디서 하나요?
Pronunciation: ko-seu-peu-re deung-rok-eun eo-di-seo ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do I register for cosplay? -
Expression: 참가비는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga-bi-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the participation fee? -
Expression: 사전 등록을 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jeon deung-rok-eul hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to pre-register? -
Expression: 현장 등록도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-jang deung-rok-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is on-site registration possible? -
Expression: 탈의실은 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: tal-ui-sil-eun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the changing room? -
Expression: 짐 보관소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: jim bo-gwan-so-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place to store luggage/belongings? -
Expression: 이벤트 일정표 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i-ben-teu il-jeong-pyo jom bol su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I see the event schedule? -
Expression: 코스프레 콘테스트는 언제 시작하나요?
Pronunciation: ko-seu-peu-re kon-te-seu-teu-neun eon-je si-jak-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When does the cosplay contest start? -
Expression: 이 행사는 몇 시까지 하나요?
Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-neun myeot si-kka-ji ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Until what time does this event run? -
Expression: 재입장이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: jae-ip-jang-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is re-entry allowed?
Interacting with Cosplayers
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Expression: 무슨 캐릭터 코스프레 하셨어요?
Pronunciation: mu-seun kae-rik-teo ko-seu-peu-re ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: What character are you cosplaying? -
Expression: (캐릭터 이름) 맞으시죠?
Pronunciation: (kae-rik-teo i-reum) ma-jeu-si-jyo?
Meaning: You’re (Character Name), right? -
Expression: 의상이 정말 멋있어요!
Pronunciation: ui-sang-i jeong-mal meo-sit-seo-yo!
Meaning: Your costume is really cool! / Your costume is amazing! -
Expression: 소품 직접 만드셨어요?
Pronunciation: so-pum jik-jeop man-deu-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you make the prop yourself? -
Expression: 사진 같이 찍어도 될까요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin ga-chi jji-geo-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I take a picture with you? -
Expression: 사진 한 장만 찍어도 될까요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin han jang-man jji-geo-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I take just one picture (of you)? -
Expression: 포즈 좀 취해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: po-jeu jom chwi-hae-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you strike a pose, please? -
Expression: 정말 잘 어울리세요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal jal eo-ul-li-se-yo!
Meaning: It really suits you! / You look great! -
Expression: 저도 이 작품/캐릭터 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-do i jak-pum/kae-rik-teo jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like this series/character too. -
Expression: 오늘 즐거웠습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul jeul-geo-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I had fun today. -
Expression: 다음에 또 뵐 수 있으면 좋겠네요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto boel su it-seu-myeon jo-ket-ne-yo.
Meaning: It would be nice to see you again next time.
Cultural Tips
Ask Before Photographing: Always ask for permission before taking photos of cosplayers (사진 찍어도 될까요? / sa-jin jji-geo-do dwel-kka-yo?). While most are happy to pose, it’s polite and respectful to ask first. Avoid taking photos while they are resting, eating, or fixing their costumes.
Respect Personal Space: Cosplay events can get crowded. Be mindful of others’ personal space, especially cosplayers who might have large costumes or props. Avoid touching costumes or props without explicit permission.
Compliments are Welcome: Cosplayers put a lot of effort into their costumes. A sincere compliment like 정말 멋있어요 (jeong-mal meo-sit-seo-yo / It’s really cool) or 수고하셨어요 (su-go-ha-syeot-seo-yo / You worked hard/Good job) is always appreciated.
Event Locations: Major cosplay events in Korea often take place at large convention centers like COEX or KINTEX in the Seoul metropolitan area, or BEXCO in Busan. Smaller events might be held in dedicated studios or community centers.
Types of Events: Korean cosplay events range from large comic conventions (like Comic World, often called 서코 ‘Seo-Ko’ for Seoul Comic World or 부코 ‘Bu-Ko’ for Busan Comic World) to game shows (like G-Star), character-specific events, and private photo shoots (개인 촬영 / gae-in chwal-yeong).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two attendees, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), meet at a cosplay event. Sora is cosplaying.
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Expression: A: 와, 안녕하세요! 혹시 (캐릭터 이름) 코스프레 하신 거 맞으세요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! hok-si (kae-rik-teo i-reum) ko-seu-peu-re ha-sin geo ma-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, hello! Are you perhaps cosplaying (Character Name)? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요! 알아봐 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ma-ja-yo! a-ra-bwa ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s right! Thank you for recognizing me. -
Expression: A: 의상이 정말 멋있어요! 직접 만드셨어요?
Pronunciation: A: ui-sang-i jeong-mal meo-sit-seo-yo! jik-jeop man-deu-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: A: Your costume is amazing! Did you make it yourself? -
Expression: B: 네, 시간이 좀 걸렸어요. 소품은 친구가 도와줬고요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, si-gan-i jom geol-lyeot-seo-yo. so-pum-eun chin-gu-ga do-wa-jwot-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it took quite some time. My friend helped with the prop. -
Expression: A: 대단하시네요! 저 혹시 사진 한 장만 찍어도 될까요?
Pronunciation: A: dae-dan-ha-si-ne-yo! jeo hok-si sa-jin han jang-man jji-geo-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: That’s incredible! Excuse me, may I take just one picture? -
Expression: B: 그럼요! 괜찮아요. 포즈 취해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom-yo! gwaen-chan-a-yo. po-jeu chwi-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Of course! It’s okay. Shall I strike a pose for you? -
Expression: A: 네, 부탁드려요! 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: ne, bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo! gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Yes, please! Thank you! -
Expression: B: (사진 찍은 후) 잘 나왔나요? 오늘 행사 즐겁게 보내세요!
Pronunciation: B: (sa-jin jji-geun hu) jal na-wat-na-yo? o-neul haeng-sa jeul-geop-ge bo-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: B: (After the photo) Did it come out well? Enjoy the event today!
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases will definitely enhance your experience at Korean cosplay events! Try practicing the pronunciations out loud~ Focus on the phrases for asking for photos and complimenting costumes, as those are very common interactions. You can also practice by watching videos or looking at photos from Korean cosplay events online and trying to describe what you see using the vocabulary learned today. Attending an event, even just as an observer first, is the best practice! Don’t be shy, most people are very friendly. Have fun participating! 화이팅!
