Discussing Korean dramas is a fantastic way to connect with others who share similar interests and practice your Korean language skills. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases to help you talk about your favorite K-dramas, characters, and plots like a native speaker. Learn how to express opinions, ask questions, and understand cultural nuances related to the world of K-dramas.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental term you need to know.
- Expression: 한국 드라마 (or K-드라마)
Pronunciation: hanguk deurama (or kei-deurama)
Meaning: Korean drama (K-drama)
Basic Phrases
Start your K-drama conversations with these foundational expressions.
- Expression: 한국 드라마 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: hanguk deurama joahaseyo?
Meaning: Do you like Korean dramas? - Expression: 네, 한국 드라마 자주 봐요.
Pronunciation: ne, hanguk deurama jaju bwayo.
Meaning: Yes, I watch Korean dramas often. - Expression: 아니요, 별로 안 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: aniyo, byeollo an joahaeyo.
Meaning: No, I don’t really like them. - Expression: 요즘 뭐 보세요?
Pronunciation: yojeum mwo boseyo?
Meaning: What are you watching these days? - Expression: 저는 [드라마 제목] 보고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeoneun [deurama jemok] bogo isseoyo.
Meaning: I am watching [Drama Title]. - Expression: 가장 좋아하는 드라마가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: gajang joahaneun deuramaga mwoyeyo?
Meaning: What is your favorite drama? - Expression: 이 드라마 알아요?
Pronunciation: i deurama arayo?
Meaning: Do you know this drama? - Expression: 주인공이 누구예요?
Pronunciation: juingongi nuguyeyo?
Meaning: Who is the main character? - Expression: 배우 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: baeu ireumi mwoyeyo?
Meaning: What is the actor’s name? - Expression: 이 배우 정말 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: i baeu jeongmal joahaeyo.
Meaning: I really like this actor. - Expression: 몇 부작이에요?
Pronunciation: myeot bujagieyo?
Meaning: How many episodes does it have? - Expression: 어디서 볼 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eodiseo bol su isseoyo?
Meaning: Where can I watch it?
Expressing Opinions
Share your thoughts and feelings about the dramas you watch.
- Expression: 정말 재미있었어요.
Pronunciation: jeongmal jaemiisseosseoyo.
Meaning: It was really fun/interesting. - Expression: 너무 슬펐어요.
Pronunciation: neomu seulpeosseoyo.
Meaning: It was so sad. - Expression: 감동적이었어요.
Pronunciation: gamdongjeogieosseoyo.
Meaning: It was touching/moving. - Expression: 연기를 정말 잘해요.
Pronunciation: yeongireul jeongmal jalhaeyo.
Meaning: They act really well. (Referring to an actor/actress) - Expression: 스토리가 흥미로워요.
Pronunciation: seutoriga heungmirowoyo.
Meaning: The story is interesting. - Expression: 결말이 마음에 들었어요.
Pronunciation: gyeolmari maeume deureosseoyo.
Meaning: I liked the ending. - Expression: 결말이 좀 아쉬웠어요.
Pronunciation: gyeolmari jom aswiwosseoyo.
Meaning: The ending was a bit disappointing. - Expression: 영상미가 뛰어나요.
Pronunciation: yeongsangmiga ttwieonayo.
Meaning: The cinematography is outstanding. - Expression: OST가 정말 좋아요.
Pronunciation: O-S-T-ga jeongmal joayo.
Meaning: The OST (Original Soundtrack) is really good. - Expression: 제 취향은 아니에요.
Pronunciation: je chwihyangeun anieyo.
Meaning: It’s not my taste. - Expression: 시간 가는 줄 모르고 봤어요.
Pronunciation: sigan ganeun jul moreugo bwasseoyo.
Meaning: I watched it without realizing how much time passed (It was that engaging). - Expression: 완전 추천해요!
Pronunciation: wanjeon chucheonhaeyo!
Meaning: I totally recommend it!
Asking Questions
Engage others by asking about their K-drama experiences and preferences.
- Expression: 어떤 장르를 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: eotteon jangneureul joahaseyo?
Meaning: What genre do you like? - Expression: 로맨스, 코미디, 스릴러 중에 뭐가 좋아요?
Pronunciation: romaenseu, komidi, seurilleo junge mwoga joayo?
Meaning: Between romance, comedy, and thriller, what do you like? - Expression: 최근에 재미있게 본 드라마 있어요?
Pronunciation: choegeune jaemiitge bon deurama isseoyo?
Meaning: Is there a drama you enjoyed watching recently? - Expression: [배우 이름] 나오는 드라마 봤어요?
Pronunciation: [baeu ireum] naoneun deurama bwasseoyo?
Meaning: Have you seen dramas starring [Actor’s Name]? - Expression: 그 드라마 어땠어요?
Pronunciation: geu deurama eottaesseoyo?
Meaning: How was that drama? - Expression: 줄거리가 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: julgeoriga eotteoke dwaeyo?
Meaning: What is the plot? - Expression: 누가 제일 좋았어요? (캐릭터)
Pronunciation: nuga jeil joasseoyo? (kaerikteo)
Meaning: Who did you like the most? (Character) - Expression: 그 장면 기억나요?
Pronunciation: geu jangmyeon gieongnayo?
Meaning: Do you remember that scene? - Expression: 시즌 2도 나올까요?
Pronunciation: sijeun i-do naolkkayo?
Meaning: Will there be a season 2? - Expression: 왜 그 드라마를 추천해요?
Pronunciation: wae geu deuramareul chucheonhaeyo?
Meaning: Why do you recommend that drama? - Expression: 혹시 스포일러 있어요?
Pronunciation: hoksi seu-po-il-leo isseoyo?
Meaning: Are there any spoilers? (Loanword: spoiler) - Expression: 몇 화까지 봤어요?
Pronunciation: myeot hwakkaji bwasseoyo?
Meaning: Up to which episode have you watched?
Genre & Recommendation Talk
Discuss different genres and suggest dramas to others.
- Expression: 저는 로맨틱 코미디를 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeoneun romaentik komidireul joahaeyo.
Meaning: I like romantic comedies. - Expression: 사극도 재미있어요.
Pronunciation: sageukdo jaemiisseoyo.
Meaning: Historical dramas (sageuk) are also interesting. - Expression: 스릴러는 너무 무서워요.
Pronunciation: seurilleoneun neomu museowoyo.
Meaning: Thrillers are too scary. - Expression: 판타지 드라마 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: pantaji deurama joahaseyo?
Meaning: Do you like fantasy dramas? - Expression: 요즘 인기 있는 드라마예요.
Pronunciation: yojeum ingi inneun deuramayeyo.
Meaning: It’s a popular drama these days. - Expression: 혹시 재미있는 드라마 추천해 줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: hoksi jaemiinneun deurama chucheonhae jul su isseoyo?
Meaning: Can you recommend an interesting drama? - Expression: [드라마 제목] 꼭 보세요. 후회 안 할 거예요.
Pronunciation: [deurama jemok] kkok boseyo. huhoe an hal geoyeyo.
Meaning: You should definitely watch [Drama Title]. You won’t regret it. - Expression: 이 드라마는 호불호가 갈려요.
Pronunciation: i deuramaneun hobulho-ga gallyeoyo.
Meaning: This drama gets mixed reactions (people either love it or hate it). - Expression: 가볍게 보기 좋은 드라마예요.
Pronunciation: gabyeopge bogi joeun deuramayeyo.
Meaning: It’s a good drama for light watching. - Expression: 좀 오래된 드라마인데 명작이에요.
Pronunciation: jom oraedoen deuramainde myeongjagieyo.
Meaning: It’s a bit old, but it’s a masterpiece. - Expression: 웹툰 원작 드라마예요.
Pronunciation: weptooon wonjak deuramayeyo.
Meaning: It’s a drama based on a webtoon. - Expression: 이 감독 작품은 다 믿고 봐요.
Pronunciation: i gamdok jakpumeun da mitgo bwayo.
Meaning: I trust and watch all works by this director.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can enhance your appreciation of K-dramas and conversations about them.
- PPL (Product Placement / 간접 광고 – Ganjeop Gwanggo): You’ll often notice specific brands of coffee, phones, cars, or cosmetics featured prominently. This is Product Placement (PPL), a common way dramas are funded. It can sometimes feel obvious but is a standard part of the viewing experience.
- Streaming Dominance: While traditional TV channels (like KBS, MBC, SBS, tvN, JTBC) produce dramas, many Koreans watch them via streaming services like Netflix, Wavve, or TVING, often binge-watching after the series concludes.
- Common Tropes: K-dramas often employ recurring themes or plot devices (tropes) like childhood connections, amnesia, rich male lead/poor female lead, love triangles, and dramatic illness reveals. Recognizing these can be part of the fun.
- “Makjang” (막장): This term refers to dramas with extremely exaggerated, unrealistic, and often shocking plot twists (birth secrets, revenge, infidelity, etc.). While sometimes criticized, makjang dramas can be highly popular for their intense drama.
- Importance of OSTs: Original Soundtracks (OSTs) are a huge part of K-dramas. Hit songs from dramas often top music charts and significantly contribute to the drama’s mood and popularity. Discussing favorite OSTs is common among fans.
Real Conversation Example
Here’s a sample conversation between two friends discussing a K-drama.
- Situation: Two friends, Minji and Sora, meet for coffee and start talking about a recently finished popular drama.
- Roles:
- A: Minji
- B: Sora
- Expression: A: 소라야, 혹시 ‘사랑의 불시착’ 봤어?
Pronunciation: soraya, hoksi ‘sarangui bulsichak’ bwasseo?
Meaning: Sora, have you by any chance watched ‘Crash Landing on You’? - Expression: B: 응! 당연히 봤지! 완전 내 인생 드라마야.
Pronunciation: eung! dangyeonhi bwatji! wanjeon nae insaeng deuramaya.
Meaning: Yes! Of course, I watched it! It’s totally the drama of my life. - Expression: A: 진짜? 나도 너무 재미있게 봤어. 특히 현빈이랑 손예진 케미가 장난 아니더라.
Pronunciation: jinjja? nado neomu jaemiitge bwasseo. teuki hyeonbinirang sonyejin kemi-ga jangnan anideora.
Meaning: Really? I also watched it with great interest. Especially the chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin was no joke. - Expression: B: 맞아! 둘이 너무 잘 어울렸어. 마지막 회 보고 엄청 울었잖아.
Pronunciation: maja! dul-i neomu jal eoullyeosseo. majimak hoe bogo eomcheong ureotjana.
Meaning: Right! They suited each other so well. I cried so much after watching the last episode. - Expression: A: 나도 그래. 너무 감동적이었어. OST도 다 좋고.
Pronunciation: nado geurae. neomu gamdongjeogieosseo. O-S-T-do da jotgo.
Meaning: Me too. It was so touching. The OST was all good too. - Expression: B: 혹시 다음에 볼 드라마 정했어? 재미있는 거 있으면 추천 좀 해줘.
Pronunciation: hoksi daeume bol deurama jeonghaesseo? jaemiinneun geo isseumyeon chucheon jom haejwo.
Meaning: Have you decided on the next drama to watch? If there’s anything interesting, please recommend it. - Expression: A: 음… 요즘 ‘빈센조’가 인기 많던데. 스토리가 좀 독특하고 재미있대.
Pronunciation: eum… yojeum ‘binsenjo’-ga ingi manteonde. seutoriga jom dokteukago jaemiitdae.
Meaning: Hmm… ‘Vincenzo’ is really popular these days. They say the story is quite unique and interesting. - Expression: B: 아, 들어봤어! 송중기 나오는 거 맞지? 한번 봐야겠다. 고마워!
Pronunciation: a, deureobwasseo! songjunggi naoneun geo matji? hanbeon bwayagetda. gomawo!
Meaning: Ah, I’ve heard of it! It stars Song Joong-ki, right? I should watch it sometime. Thanks!
Practice Tips
Ready to talk K-dramas? Here’s how to practice~!
- Try using these phrases when watching K-dramas alone – pause and describe the scene or character’s actions!
- Find a language exchange partner who also loves K-dramas. It’s a perfect topic for conversation practice~.
- Write short reviews or opinions about dramas you’ve watched using the expressions learned.
- Listen carefully to how characters in dramas talk about other dramas or express their feelings. You might pick up more natural phrasing!
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Just trying to use the language is the best way to improve. Fighting! (화이팅! Hwaiting!)
