Vocabulary
씻다
verb
Beginner
to wash (oneself); to clean up
daily life romance
운동하고 나서 바로 씻어요.
I wash up right after exercising.
얼른
adverb
Beginner
quickly; hurry up
daily life emotions
얼른 준비하고 나와요, 늦겠어요.
Get ready quickly and come out — we'll be late.
기쁘다
adjective
Beginner
to be glad; to be happy
emotions romance
선물을 받아서 정말 기뻐요.
I'm really happy because I received a gift.
버리다
verb
Beginner
to throw away; to discard
daily life
오래된 물건들을 다 버려요.
I'm throwing away all the old items.
천재
noun
Beginner
genius; prodigy
emotions
그 아이는 수학 천재예요.
That child is a math genius.
완성하다
verb
Beginner
to complete; to finish (a creation)
daily life
오늘 안에 보고서를 완성해요.
I'll complete the report by the end of today.
아깝다
adjective
Beginner
to be a waste; to be a pity (to discard something valuable)
emotions daily life
이렇게 좋은 재료를 버리는 건 너무 아깝지 않아요?
Isn't it such a waste to throw away ingredients this good?
챙기다
verb
Beginner
to look after; to take care of; to make sure something is kept/consumed
romance daily life
약은 꼭 잘 챙겨 먹어요.
Make sure you always take your medicine properly.
숨통 트이다
expression
Intermediate
to finally be able to breathe; to feel relieved after difficulty
emotions
일이 줄어들고 나서야 좀 숨통이 트여요.
I can finally breathe a little once the workload lightens.
삐끗하다
verb
Intermediate
to sprain or twist (a joint); to slip
daily life romance
계단을 내려오다가 발목을 삐끗했어요.
I sprained my ankle coming down the stairs.
주무관
noun
Intermediate
a government official in charge of a specific area; staff officer
daily life
담당 주무관한테 서류를 제출해요.
Submit the documents to the responsible officer.
경시대회
noun
Intermediate
academic competition; contest (especially academic olympiad)
emotions
영어 경시대회에서 1등을 했어요.
I won first place in the English competition.
나이테
noun
Intermediate
tree rings; annual growth rings in wood
daily life
이 나무는 나이테가 정말 선명하게 살아 있어요.
The tree rings in this wood are really vivid and clear.
기여하다
verb
Intermediate
to contribute; to play a part in
romance emotions
팀 프로젝트에 모두가 기여해요.
Everyone contributes to the team project.
관절
noun
Intermediate
joint (body part, e.g. knee, elbow)
daily life
날씨가 추우면 관절이 아파요.
My joints hurt when the weather is cold.
신나다
verb
Intermediate
to be excited; to be thrilled
emotions romance
소풍 날이 되면 항상 신나요.
I'm always excited on field trip day.
투표로 뽑다
expression
Advanced
to elect or select by vote
daily life
반장은 투표로 뽑아요.
The class president is chosen by vote.
노망나다
expression
Advanced
to go senile; (colloquially) to act scatter-brained or foolishly
daily life emotions
깜빡깜빡하는 게 내가 벌써 노망났나 봐요.
I keep forgetting things — I think I'm already losing my mind.
Key Expressions
Speech levels in this scene: Korean changes verb endings depending on who you're talking to. The short forms here (반말, banmal) are for close friends, partners, and children. Adding -요 makes a sentence polite enough for most adults you don't know well. Characters slide between the two mid-conversation — closer moments get shorter endings. Each expression below says who you can safely say it to.
Urging someone to act quickly
얼른 나와요
"quickly come out"
Used to tell someone to hurry up and appear; casual yet polite tone suitable for close relationships.
🗣 Adding -요 (얼른 나와요) makes this fine to say to a close friend, a partner, or a younger family member you're comfortable with, but the bare form (얼른 나와) stays too familiar for anyone outside your closest circle.
다 준비됐으면 얼른 나와요, 기다리고 있어요.
If you're all ready, come out quickly — I'm waiting.
빨리 해요
"do it quickly"
A direct nudge to speed things along; used between people comfortable with each other.
🗣 Adding -요 (빨리 해요) makes this acceptable between friends your age, a partner, or a sibling, but the bare form (빨리 해) should only be used with people you are already very close to.
시간 없으니까 빨리 해요.
We don't have time, so hurry up.
Expressing that something must be done
꼭 해야 돼요
"must absolutely do"
Expresses a strong personal obligation or determination; the 꼭 adds emphasis that skipping is not an option.
🗣 Adding -요 (꼭 해야 돼요) is safe to say to a friend, a partner, or a classmate, but the bare form (꼭 해야 돼) is too direct to use with anyone you don't know well.
오늘 안에 꼭 해야 돼요, 내일은 안 돼요.
It absolutely has to be done today — tomorrow won't work.
-아/어도 돼요?
"is it okay if I…?"
Politely asks for permission; the casual_haeyo level keeps it warm and non-demanding between couples or friends.
🗣 This is already a polite, warm way to ask permission, so a partner, a close friend, or even a friendly coworker can comfortably use it with each other.
여기 잠깐 앉아도 돼요?
Is it okay if I sit here for a moment?
-면 안 될까요?
"would it be not okay if…?"
A soft, hesitant way to make a request or proposal; signals the speaker isn't sure the other will agree.
🗣 This gentle, hesitant phrasing is polite enough for a partner, a friend, or even a coworker when you want to make a soft request without sounding pushy.
오늘 조금 일찍 끝내면 안 될까요?
Would it be okay if we finished a little early today?
Reacting to good news with enthusiasm
대박
"jackpot / huge hit"
A versatile exclamation expressing amazement or delight at great news; widely used in casual speech by all ages.
🗣 This is a casual exclamation that anyone — kids, teens, friends, or a partner — can throw out in the moment, but it would sound out of place if you said it to your boss or a stranger.
이 가격에 이런 물건을 샀다고요? 대박이에요!
You bought something like this at that price? That's incredible!
장하다
"to be praiseworthy / well done"
Expresses proud admiration for someone's achievement; warmer and more heartfelt than simply saying '잘했어요'.
🗣 An older person, a parent, or a close adult can say this to praise a younger person or a child for doing something impressive; it would sound odd coming from a younger person speaking up to an elder.
혼자서 다 해냈다니 정말 장해요.
You did it all by yourself — that's really admirable.
Negotiating or softening a complaint
월세 낼게요
"I'll pay rent"
A playful concession used when someone teases you about being somewhere too often; signals warm familiarity.
🗣 Adding -요 (월세 낼게요) makes this playful line fine between friends, a partner, or neighbors you know well, but the bare form (월세 낼게) stays too casual for anyone you aren't already close to.
매일 여기 오는 것 같은데, 월세 낼게요.
I feel like I come here every day — I'll pay rent.
일단 한번 해 봐요
"just try it once for now"
Encourages someone reluctant to give something a first attempt; 일단 softens by suggesting they are not fully committed yet.
🗣 This is polite enough for a partner, a friend your age, or a coworker you are comfortable with, but it would come across as too casual if said to a boss or a stranger.
맛없으면 안 먹어도 되니까 일단 한번 먹어 봐요.
You don't have to eat it if you don't like it, so just try it once.
천천히 같이 해요
"let's do it together slowly"
Signals patient, mutual cooperation; used in romantic contexts to express a willingness to go at the other person's pace.
🗣 This warm, encouraging phrase works well between a couple or close friends who want to show they are in no rush and are happy to move at the other person's pace.
급하지 않으니까 천천히 같이 해요.
There's no rush, so let's do it together slowly.
Grammar Patterns
-아/어도 되다
Asking or giving permission
Attach -아/어도 되다 to a verb stem to ask whether an action is permissible or to grant permission. In question form (-아/어도 돼요?) it is a polite, soft request; in statement form (-아/어도 돼요) it reassures the listener. It is extremely common in everyday conversation and is especially natural between people who are close.
Practice sentences
창문 열어도 돼요? 좀 더운 것 같아요.
Is it okay if I open the window? I think it's a little hot.
여기서 잠깐 기다려도 돼요.
You can wait here for a moment — that's fine.
나중에 전화해도 돼요? 지금은 좀 바빠요.
Is it okay if I call later? I'm a little busy right now.
💡 Don't confuse -아/어도 되다 (permission) with -아/어야 되다 (obligation). The key difference is the presence of 야 vs. 도.
-는 중이에요
Describing an ongoing action
Attach -는 중이에요 to the verb stem to indicate that an action is currently in progress at the moment of speaking. It is equivalent to the English '-ing' progressive and adds emphasis that the action is happening right now, not habitually. Use it when you want to make clear that you are mid-task and cannot be interrupted.
Practice sentences
지금 밥 먹는 중이에요, 나중에 얘기해요.
I'm eating right now — let's talk later.
친구가 지금 짐 싸는 중이에요.
My friend is currently packing their bags.
요가 배우는 중이에요, 아직 잘 못해요.
I'm in the middle of learning yoga — I'm not good at it yet.
💡 Remember that -는 중이에요 attaches to the verb stem, not the dictionary form, so 먹다 → 먹는 중이에요, not 먹다는 중이에요.
-자
Making a suggestion ('Let's …')
Adding -자 directly to a verb stem is the casual way to suggest doing something together. It is warmer and more intimate than the formal -ㅂ시다, and in the casual_haeyo register it pairs naturally with softening expressions like 같이 or 천천히. Use it with people you are close to — overusing it with strangers or seniors can sound presumptuous.
Practice sentences
오늘 저녁은 같이 요리하자, 재미있을 것 같아요.
Let's cook together this evening — it sounds fun.
피곤하면 잠깐 쉬자, 서두르지 않아도 돼요.
If you're tired, let's take a short break — there's no need to rush.
💡 Do not add 요 after -자 — 자요 is not standard. If you need politeness, switch to -ㅂ시다 or rephrase with -아/어요.
Shadow Drills
Listen · Repeat · Reveal · Repeat again. Match the rhythm and intonation of the Korean line.
01
오늘 꼭 해야 될 일이 있어요.
There's something I really need to get done today.
💡 Practise the rising intonation on 꼭 and the natural linking of 해야 될 — avoid a pause between the two syllables.
02
씻고 나서 얼른 나와요.
After washing up, come out quickly.
💡 Focus on the smooth -고 나서 connection and the falling tone on 나와요.
03
일단 한번 해 봐요, 어렵지 않아요.
Just give it one try — it's not difficult.
💡 Nail the light glottal stop between 한 and 번, and keep 봐요 short and bouncy.
04
천천히 같이 해요, 급하지 않아요.
Let's do it together slowly — there's no rush.
💡 Stretch 천천히 naturally without over-articulating each syllable; the phrase should feel warm and reassuring.
05
요즘 요가 배우는 중이에요.
I'm currently learning yoga these days.
💡 Blend 배우는 중이에요 smoothly — learners often insert an unwanted pause before 중.
06
여기서 잠깐 쉬어도 돼요?
Is it okay if I rest here for a moment?
💡 Keep the question-final 돼요? light and rising; avoid stressing 쉬어 too heavily.
07
같이 목록 다 끝내 보자, 재미있을 것 같아요.
Let's finish the whole list together — it sounds like it'll be fun.
💡 Practise the confident, cheerful tone of -자 proposals; the sentence should feel inviting rather than commanding.
Cultural Notes
Couple bucket lists in Korean romance culture
In Korean dating culture, 커플 버킷리스트 (couple bucket lists) are a popular way for new partners to bond through shared 'firsts' — matching outfits, couple yoga, or shared routines like brushing teeth together. The playful seriousness with which Hyejin pursues the list reflects how such rituals are treated as meaningful milestones in a relationship, not just novelties.
영상 통화 (video calling) as family intimacy
Video calls are a standard tool for maintaining family closeness in Korea, especially when a parent works away from home. Calling specifically so a child can share good news — rather than just texting — carries emotional weight, as the in-person visual element is seen as a more sincere form of celebration and acknowledgement.
반장 (neighbourhood chief) and community roles
반장 in a Korean village or neighbourhood context refers to a block or community chief — a volunteer leader who coordinates local affairs. Dusik's informal 반장 role reflects the tight community structure common in rural Korean towns (시골 동네), where one trusted figure handles many different tasks and is known by everyone.
경시대회 (academic competitions) and parental pride
Academic competitions — especially in subjects like mathematics — carry significant prestige in Korean educational culture. Winning even a silver prize (은상) at a school-level contest is a genuine source of family pride, which is why the news instantly spreads through neighbours and family members. The father's over-the-top reaction ('내가 천재를 낳았네') is a culturally familiar expression of parental joy and pride.