Table of Contents
🎥 “Goblin”: Introduction to the Short Video Clip
🎥 “Goblin”: the Short Video Clip
🎯 Key Takeaways
🎥 Grammatical Analysis of the Dialogue
📎 Appendix. Drama Overview & the Characters
🎥 “Goblin”: Introduction to the Short Video Clip
If you want to learn authentic Korean expressions through emotional and dramatic scenes, this short video from the hit K-drama Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) is a great starting point.
In this memorable clip, the Goblin
shares a quiet moment with a struggling man by the river, leading to a
conversation filled with warmth, encouragement, and life lessons. As they exchange
a sandwich, what unfolds is more than just a friendly gesture—it's a rich
example of Korean drama dialogue full of meaning.
Let’s explore the key Korean phrases
and cultural insights hidden in this scene.
A Practical Learning Guide
- You can observe how Koreans offer
emotional support using indirect yet caring expressions.
For example, Kim Seobang doesn’t say “I’m worried about you,” but rather offers
sandwiches and gentle encouragement.
- The phrase "하나씩 나눠 먹으라고 두 개에요" ("There are two so we
can share") captures the Korean mindset of 나눔
(sharing)—an essential part of Korean social life.
- The line "이 넓은 세상에, 우리 써줄 곳 하나 없겠습니까?" uses a rhetorical question,
which is a culturally common way of expressing optimism or hope
without sounding pushy.
- You’ll hear encouragement
vocabulary such as “힘
내요” (cheer up), which is frequently used among friends and
colleagues.
and resilience.
- Finally, this scene is a perfect
example of how food, even a simple sandwich, becomes a symbol of human
connection in Korean culture. It’s not just a snack—it’s a gesture of hope.
🎥 "Goblin": the Short Video Clip
Before we break down the expressions, take
a moment to watch this unforgettable scene from Goblin.
It starts with a sandwich, but ends with something far more profound.
This short clip isn’t just a lesson in Korean encouragement phrases—it’s a
quiet philosophy about kindness, timing, and second chances, delivered through
everyday words.
Let the emotion hit you first. Then we’ll explore what makes these lines so
powerful—in both Korean and life.
The dialogue might seem simple, but every line in this scene carries weight.
From “힘 내요” to “신이 머물다가는 순간,” these words reveal how the Korean language expresses empathy with subtlety and grace.
In this scene, Goblin shows us that a sandwich isn’t just food—it’s a
message.
Now, let’s dive into the key Korean expressions, their cultural context, and
how you can use them yourself.
Dialogue
김서방: "힘 내요! 샌드위치가 왜 두개인지 알아요?"
Kim Seobang: "Cheer up! Do you know why sandwiches come in twos?"
김서방: "하나씩 나눠 먹으라고 두개에요."
Kim Seobang: "It's because they're meant to be shared, one for each person."
김서방: "사양말고 받아요."
Kim Seobang: "Don't hesitate, just take it."
김서방: "이 넓은 세상에, 우리 써줄 곳 하나 없겠습니까?"
Literal Translation: "In this vast world, isn't there even one place that would use us?"
Paraphrased Translation: "In this vast world, isn’t even one company willing to hire us?"
김서방: "나이도 젊은 양반이 얼마나 답답했겠어요."
Kim Seobang: "A young man like you must feel frustrated."
🐾 For reference, the goblin has lived for over 900 years due to a divine curse.
🐾 Mr. Kim is projecting his own
unemployment onto the goblin, assuming the goblin is also jobless and trying to
comfort him.
김서방: "그렇지만 힘 냅시다. 늦게 빛나는 인생도 있지 않겠어요?" (웃음소리)
Kim Seobang: "But let’s keep our spirits up. Isn’t it true that some lives shine brighter later?" (chuckles)
도깨비: "누구의 인생이건, 신이 머물다 가는 순간이 있다."
Goblin: "In everyone’s life, there’s a moment when God lingers by their side."
도깨비: "당신이 세상에서 멀어지고 있을 때, 누군가 세상쪽으로 등을 떠밀어 주었다면 그건 신이 당신 곁에 머물다간 순간이다."
Goblin: "When you’re drifting away from the world, if someone nudges you back toward it, that’s when God stays by your side."
김서방: "그럼 먼저 갑니다."
Kim Seobang: "All right then, I’ll head off first."
도깨비: "이보게 김서방! 그리 말고 이리로 가게."
Goblin: "Hey, Kim Seobang! Don’t go that way; come this way."
도깨비: "자네의 도움이 필요한 사람이 있을걸세. 샌드위치 값일세."
Goblin: "There’s someone who could use your help. Think of it as repaying for the sandwich."
김서방: "제가 한번 봐드릴까요?"
Kim Seobang: "Should I take a look for you?"
김비서: "보면 아십니까?"
Kim Biseo: "Can you tell just by looking?"
김서방: "제가 기름밥만 한 20년 됩니다."
Kim Seobang: "I've been working with machinery for about 20 years."
🐾 In Korea, people who build or
repair machines often say they “live on oil rice (기름밥을 먹으며 살고 있다).” This phrase comes from the fact that
working with machines inevitably involves dealing with oil.
김서방: "보험회사에 연락하면 빠르실텐데, 왜 이러고 계세요?"
Kim Seobang: "It’d be faster if you called the insurance company. Why are you doing this yourself?"
김비서: "아, 아마도, 새로운 인연을 만나려고 그랬나봅니다."
Kim Biseo: "Ah, perhaps it was because I wanted to meet someone new."
🎯 Key Takeaways
📢 Explanations of basic dictionary definitions have been omitted. However, in the case of technical terms, even single words were included within the scope of analysis.
1. "사양"
- "사양" means
"refusal" or "declining an offer politely." Often used when
someone hesitates to accept something out of modesty or manners.
📌
Example Usage
"사양 말고 받아요."
"Don't hesitate, just take it."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"거절" –
"refusal"
📌
Example Usage
"정중한 거절을 했다."
"He politely refused."
2. "양반"
- "양반" historically
refers to the upper class in Joseon Korea, but colloquially today, it can mean
"guy" or "person" with a hint of politeness or irony.
📌
Example Usage
"나이도 젊은 양반이 얼마나 답답했겠어요?"
"That young man must’ve been so
frustrated, right?"
🐾 In the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), the 사대부(sadaebu) class was referred to as "양반(yangban)." They were a noble class distinct from
commoners and slaves, and they formed the ruling elite who established and
governed Joseon. In modern usage, however, the term "yangban" has
shifted to describe someone gentle, dignified, or refined.
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"사람" –
"person"
📌
Example Usage
"그 사람 참 친절해요."
"That person is really kind."
3. "답답하다"
- "답답하다" means
"to feel frustrated," "suffocated," or "stifled."
Can refer to emotional, situational, or even physical suffocation.
📌
Example Usage
"답답한 마음을 누구한테 털어놔야 할지 모르겠다."
"I don’t know who to open up to about
this frustration."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"속이 막히다" –
"to feel mentally blocked or stuck"
📌
Example Usage
"그 말을 듣고 속이 막혔다."
"I was at a loss for words when I
heard that."
4. "빛나는 인생"
- "빛나는 인생" means
"a shining life" or "a brilliant life." It conveys the idea
of a life full of meaning, success, or fulfillment.
📌
Example Usage
"당신의 빛나는 인생을 응원합니다."
"I support your shining life."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"찬란한 인생" –
"glorious life"
📌
Example Usage
"그녀는 찬란한 인생을 살았다."
"She lived a glorious life."
5. "신이 머물다 가는 순간"
- "신이 머물다 가는 순간" literally means "a moment when a god stops
by," and figuratively refers to a sacred, unforgettable moment.
📌
Example Usage
"그 장면은 신이 머물다 간 순간 같았다."
"That scene felt like a moment when
god had stopped by."
🐾 It refers to a situation where someone receives help from others
when they are in difficulty.
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"기적 같은 순간" –
"a miraculous moment"
📌
Example Usage
"그날은 기적 같은 순간의 연속이었다."
"That day was filled with miraculous
moments."
6. "등을 떠밀다"
- "등을 떠밀다" means
"to push someone’s back" – figuratively used as "to urge"
or "to push someone into doing something."
📌
Example Usage
"엄마가 내 등을 떠밀어서 면접을 봤다."
"My mom pushed me into attending the
interview."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"부추기다" –
"to egg on, encourage"
📌
Example Usage
"친구가 나를 부추겨서 무대에 섰다."
"My friend egged me on, so I went on
stage."
7. "도움이 필요하다"
- "도움이 필요하다" means
"to need help."
📌
Example Usage
"혼자 하기 힘들어요, 도움이
필요해요."
"It’s hard to do alone—I need
help."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"손을 빌리다" –
"to borrow someone’s hands (get help)"
📌
Example Usage
"이 일엔 누군가의 손을 빌려야겠어요."
"I’ll need a helping hand for
this."
8. "기름밥"
- "기름밥" literally
means "oily rice," but slang-wise, it refers to the food mechanics
eat, symbolizing hard, greasy, and physical labor.
📌
Example Usage
"군대에서 기름밥 먹으며 고생했다."
"I had a tough time eating ‘greasy
rice’ in the military."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"짬밥" –
"military food," another slangy reference to soldier life
📌
Example Usage
"짬밥 먹은 지 벌써 10년
됐네."
"It’s been 10 years since I ate
military food."
📢 If you want to dive deeper
into Korean slang, check out the following blog post.
🔖 KoreanSlang Decoded: 64 Must-Know Expressions to Speak Like a Local
🔖 Korean Abbreviations Explained: A Guide to Modern Slang and Trends
🎥 Grammatical Analysis of the Dialogue
📢 This
section explains Korean grammar, including sentence structure, various
particles, and changes in verb and adjective endings.
Beginner and intermediate learners should focus on the earlier Dialogues and Key
Takeaways. Advanced learners of Korean may find this section helpful as a reference.
김서방: "힘 내요! 샌드위치가 왜 두개인지 알아요?"
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "힘 내요!": "힘 (strength)" + "내다 (to
put forth, to give)" + sentence ending "-요" (polite ending) → encouraging expression meaning “Cheer
up!”
- "샌드위치가 왜 두개인지 알아요?":
• "샌드위치 (sandwich)" + subject
marker "-가"
• "왜 (why)"
• "두개 (two items)" + identifier
"-인지" (whether it is / because it is)
• "알다 (to know)" + sentence
ending "-아요?" (polite question form)
📌
Example Usage
"왜 샌드위치가 두 개인지 알아요?"
"Do you know why sandwiches come in
twos?"
☀️ Meaning
"Cheer up! Do you know why sandwiches
come in twos?"
김서방: "하나씩 나눠 먹으라고 두개예요."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "하나씩": "하나 (one)" + distributive suffix "-씩" → “one each”
- "나눠 먹으라고": "나누다 (to share)" + contracted form "나눠 (share)" + "먹다 (to
eat)" + connective ending "-으라고" (quoted
suggestion/intended action: so that someone may eat by sharing)
- "두개예요": "두개 (two items)" + copula "-이다 (to be)" + polite present "-예요"
📌
Example Usage
"하나씩 나눠 먹으라고 두 개예요."
"They come in twos so they can be
shared, one for each person."
☀️ Meaning
"It’s because they’re meant to be
shared, one for each person."
김서방: "사양말고 받아요."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "사양말고": "사양하다 (to decline, to refuse politely)" + imperative
negation "-지 말고" (don’t)
✂️”사양하지 말고” →
“사양말고” (contraction)
- "받아요": "받다 (to receive)" + polite present ending "-아요"
📌
Example Usage
"거절하지 말고 그냥 받아요."
"Don’t refuse it. Just take it."
☀️ Meaning
"Don’t hesitate, just take it."
김서방: "이 넓은 세상에, 우리
써줄 곳 하나 없겠습니까?"
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "이 넓은 세상에": "이 (this)" + "넓다 (to be
wide)" + adnominal form "-은" + "세상 (world)" + locative particle "-에" → “in this wide world”
- "우리 써줄 곳": "우리 (us)" + "쓰다 (to
use)" + benefactive expression "-어 주다" (to do something for someone) + adnominal form
"-ㄹ" + "곳 (place)" → “a place that would use us”
- "하나 없겠습니까?": "하나 (one)" + negative question form "-없다 (to not exist)" + presumptive/honorific question ending
"-겠습니까?"
📢 If you want to deepen your
understanding of Korean honorifics, check out the following blog post.
🔖 Mastering Korean Honorifics: A Guide to Respectful Communication in Korean Culture
🔖 Korean Honorifics vs. Informal Speech: Master the Basics with Practical Examples
📌
Example Usage
"이 세상에 우리를 써 줄 곳 하나도 없을까요?"
"Is there really not a single place in
this world that would use us?"
☀️ Meaning
"In this vast world, isn’t there even
one place that would use us?"
김서방: "나이도 젊은 양반이 얼마나 답답했겠어요."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "나이도 젊은 양반이": "나이 (age)" + additive particle "-도" + "젊다 (to be
young)" + adnominal form "-은" + "양반 (man, person—honorific/old-fashioned)" + subject
marker "-이"
- "얼마나 답답했겠어요": "얼마나 (how much)" + "답답하다 (to
feel frustrated, stifled)" + past tense presumptive form "-았겠어요" (must have been)
➡️ “답답하다” → “답답했다” (past tense) → “답답했겠어요”
📌
Example Usage
"그렇게 젊은 분이 얼마나 답답했겠어요."
"How frustrated he must have been,
being so young."
☀️ Meaning
"Being a young man, how frustrated you
must have been."
김서방: "그렇지만 힘 냅시다. 늦게
빛나는 인생도 있지 않겠어요?" (웃음소리)
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "그렇지만 힘 냅시다": "그렇지만 (but, nevertheless)" + "힘 (strength)" + "내다 (to
put forth)" + hortative ending "-ㅂ시다" (let’s)
- "늦게 빛나는 인생도 있지 않겠어요?":
• "늦게 (late)" + "빛나다 (to shine)" + adnominal form "-는" + "인생 (life)" + additive
particle "-도" + existential verb
"있다 (to exist)" + negative-question
presumptive ending "-지 않겠어요?" (isn’t
there...?)
📌
Example Usage
"늦게 빛나는 삶도 있으니 힘냅시다."
"Let’s stay strong. Some lives shine
later, too."
☀️ Meaning
"But let’s stay strong. Isn’t it true
that some lives shine later on?" (laughs)
도깨비: "누구의 인생이건, 신이
머물다 가는 순간이 있다."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "누구의 인생이건": "누구 (who)" + possessive marker "-의" + "인생 (life)" + conditional
particle "-이건" (whether it’s... /
whoever’s...)
- "신이 머물다 가는 순간이 있다":
• "신 (god)" + subject
marker "-이"
• "머물다 (to stay)" + "가다 (to go)" → "머물다 가다"
(to stay briefly and leave)
• “-는”: attributive form
• "순간 (moment)" + subject
marker "-이"
• "있다 (to exist, there is)"
📌
Example Usage
"누구의 삶에나 신이 머물다 가는 순간이 있죠."
"In everyone’s life, there’s a moment
when a god stays and leaves."
☀️ Meaning
"In anyone’s life, there’s a moment
when a god briefly stays and then leaves."
도깨비: "당신이 세상에서 멀어지고 있을 때, 누군가 세상쪽으로 등을 떠밀어 주었다면 그건 신이 당신 곁에 머물다간 순간이다."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "당신이 세상에서 멀어지고 있을 때":
• "당신 (you)" + subject marker
"-이"
• "세상 (the world)" + locative
particle "-에서"
• "멀어지다 (to drift away from)" +
progressive form "-고 있다"
• time marker "-을 때 (when)"
- "누군가 세상쪽으로 등을 떠밀어 주었다면":
• "누군가 (someone)"
• "세상쪽 (toward the world)" +
direction particle "-으로"
• "등 (back)" + object marker
"-을"
• "떠밀다 (to push roughly)" + "주다 (to do for someone)" + past tense "-었다"
• conditional "-다면 (if it was so)"
➡️ “떠밀다” → “떠밀어
주다” → “떠밀어 주었다” → “떠밀어 주었다면”
- "그건 신이 당신 곁에 머물다 간 순간이다":
• "그건 (that is)"
• "신 (god)" + subject marker
"-이"
• "당신 (you)" + "곁 (side)" + locative particle "-에"
• "머물다 (to stay)" + past
connective "-가다" → "머물다
간 (having stayed and gone)"
• "순간 (moment)" + copula
"-이다"**
📌
Example Usage
"당신이 세상에서 멀어질 때 누군가 등을 밀어줬다면, 그건 신이 머물다 간 순간이에요."
"If someone nudged you back toward the
world when you were drifting away, that was a moment when god was beside
you."
☀️ Meaning
"When you were drifting away from the
world, if someone pushed you back toward it, that moment was when god stayed by
your side."
김서방: "그럼 먼저 갑니다."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
✂️ "그럼":
contracted form of "그러면 (then, in that
case)"
- "먼저 갑니다":
• "먼저 (first, ahead)"
• "가다 (to go)" + formal
polite present "-ㅂ니다"
📌
Example Usage
"그럼 먼저 출발하겠습니다."
"Then I’ll go ahead first."
☀️ Meaning
"Then I’ll go first."
도깨비: "이보게 김서방! 그리
말고 이리로 가게."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "이보게 김서방!":
• "이보게" is an old-fashioned
or dramatic way to say “Hey there!”
• "김서방 (Mr. Kim)" is a
respectful way to address a man, often used for friendly familiarity.
- "그리 말고":
• "그리 (that way)" + imperative
negation "-말고" (don’t do that, but
instead...)
- "이리로 가게":
• "이리로 (this way)" + "가다 (to go)" + imperative/honorific sentence ending
"-게" (used with peers or juniors in
historical/formal tone)
📌
Example Usage
"그쪽 말고 이쪽으로 오게."
"Not that way, come this way
instead."
☀️ Meaning
"Hey, Mr. Kim! Don’t go that way, come
this way instead."
도깨비: "자네의 도움이 필요한 사람이 있을걸세. 샌드위치 값일세."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "자네의 도움이 필요한 사람이 있을걸세":
• "자네 (you – respectful old-fashioned
tone)" + possessive marker "-의"
• "도움 (help)" + subject
marker "-이"
• "필요하다 (to be needed)" + adnominal
form "-한"
• "사람 (person)" + subject particle
“-이”
• existential phrase "있다 (there
is)" + soft assertion ending "-을걸세"
(I suppose, mild suggestion/assertion)
- "샌드위치 값일세":
• "샌드위치 (sandwich)" + "값 (price)" + copula "-이다" + declarative
archaic ending "-일세"
🐾 The goblin points in the opposite direction of where Mr.
Kim is headed and introduces him to a new connection and job opportunity.
📌
Example Usage
"네 도움이 필요한 사람이 있을걸세. 그게 네가 준 샌드위치 값일세."
"There’s probably someone who needs
your help. That’s the price of your sandwich."
☀️ Meaning
"Someone probably needs your help.
That’s the price of the sandwich."
김서방: "제가 한번 봐드릴까요?"
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "제가": "저 (I – humble)" + subject marker "-가"
- "한번": "한번 (once, give it a try)"
- "보다 (to see,
check)" + benefactive expression "-아 드리다"
(do something for someone)
- question form "-ㄹ까요?" (Shall I? Would you like me to?)
📌
Example Usage
"제가 한번 도와드릴까요?"
"Shall I try helping you?"
☀️ Meaning
"Shall I take a look for you?"
김비서: "보면 아십니까?"
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "보다 (to
see)" + conditional "-면" (if)
- "알다 (to
know)" + honorific present formal question "-십니까?"
📌
Example Usage
"보면 알 수 있습니까?"
"Can you tell just by looking?"
☀️ Meaning
"Can you really tell by just
looking?"
김서방: "제가 기름밥만 한 20년
됩니다."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "제가": "저 (I)" + subject marker "-가"
- "기름밥":
slang meaning "military or service life" (referring to eating food
from a base cafeteria)
- "-만": limiting
particle "only" or "as much as"
- "한 20년": approximate number prefix "한 (about)" + "20년 (20
years)"
- "-됩니다": "되다 (to become, to reach)" + formal polite ending
"-ㅂ니다"
📌
Example Usage
"군생활만 20년
했습니다."
"I’ve been in the service for 20
years."
☀️ Meaning
"I’ve been living the military life
for about 20 years."
김서방: "보험회사에 연락하면 빠르실텐데, 왜 이러고 계세요?"
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "보험회사에 연락하면":
• "보험회사 (insurance company)" + locative
particle "-에"
• "연락하다 (to contact)" + conditional
"-면" (if)
- "빠르실텐데":
• "빠르다 (to be quick)" + honorific
"-시" + presumptive "-ㄹ 텐데" (would be / I suppose)
- "왜 이러고 계세요?":
• "왜 (why)" + "이러다 (to act this way)" + progressive + honorific expression
"계시다" → "이러고 계세요" (why are you acting like this?)
📌
Example Usage
"보험사에 연락하시면 더 빨랐을 텐데요. 왜 이렇게 하고 계세요?"
"You could’ve just called the
insurance company—it would’ve been faster. Why are you doing this?"
☀️ Meaning
"If you just contacted the insurance
company, things would go quicker. Why are you doing this?"
김비서: "아, 아마도, 새로운 인연을 만나려고 그랬나봅니다."
🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "아, 아마도": "아 (ah)" + "아마도
(perhaps, maybe)"
- "새로운
인연을
만나려고":
• "새로운 (new)" + "인연 (fate, tie, relationship)" + object
particle "-을"
•
"만나다 (to meet)" + intentive connector "-려고
(in order to)"
- "그랬나봅니다":
• "그렇다 (to be so)" + past inference form "그랬나 보다 (it seems like that was the case)"
•
formal polite ending "-ㅂ니다"
📌 Example Usage
"아마도
새로운
만남을
기대했나
봅니다."
"Maybe they were hoping for a new connection."
☀️ Meaning
"Ah… perhaps I was hoping to meet someone new."
📎 Appendix. Drama Overview & the Characters
Drama Overview
“Goblin” (original title: "쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비") is a 2016–17 Korean fantasy‑romance series written by Kim Eun‑sook and directed by Lee Eung‑bok.
The story follows Kim Shin, a Goryeo‑era general betrayed and killed, who is resurrected as an immortal Goblin—someone cursed to live forever until his destined bride removes a sword stuck in his chest. Nearly 900 years later, he meets Ji Eun‑tak, a high‑schooler who can see ghosts and is revealed to be the prophesied bride.
Also in his house is the Grim Reaper, a companion with his own tragic past. Together, their intertwined destinies explore themes of love, fate, and the burden of immortality.
“Goblin” became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea, consistently
topping ratings on cable network tvN and earning a spot as one of the highest-rated
Korean cable dramas of all time.
Goblin (Gong Yoo)
"Kim Shin" – A 939‑year‑old immortal Goblin and former Goryeo general.
Cursed to live until his bride frees him, he possesses supernatural powers and
a weary, lonely heart.
Kim, the secretary (Jo Woo-jin)
📢 Please refer to other posts in the K-Drama Bites category on the blog for introductions to other cast members and 'Goblin'.
🔖 Learn Korean with Goblin Drama: Deep Dive into Short Dialogue and Vocabulary
🔖 Short Clip from Goblin: A Deep Dive into Kim Shin & Ji Eun-tak’s Witty Banter
: Real Drama Lines with Emotion){kind=link}
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