Essential Korean Expressions from K-Drama: A Glimpse Into ‘Business Proposal’

🎥 Introduction

This is a short clip from the K-drama “사내맞선” (Business Proposal), featuring Kang Tae-moo having a meal with Shin Ha-ri and her friends, where he is so enamored by Shin Ha-ri’s beauty that he doesn’t know what to do. Following the previous post about the Jin Young-seo and Cha Sung-hoon couple, meet the Shin Ha-ri and Kang Tae-moo couple. It’s cheesy, but Ahn Hyo-seop’s playful acting makes it worth watching.

 

🎥 Short Video

[Source] YouTube, @슈팅클럽-p5y

 

🎥 Meet the Characters

Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop): The CEO of GO Food is a perfectionist with a cold exterior but a soft heart for Shin Ha-ri.

Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong): A hardworking food researcher at GO Food who gets caught up in an unexpected contract dating scheme with Kang Tae-moo.

 

🎥 Dialogue

강태무: “이런 거 보지말고 나만 봐.”

Kang Tae-moo: "Don't look at things like this, just look at me."

강태무: “자길 향한 내 사랑과 이 카드의 공통점이 뭔지 알아?”

Kang Tae-moo: "Do you know what my love for you and this card have in common?"

강태무: “한도가 없다는 거.”

Kang Tae-moo: "There's no limit."

친구1: “멋있다.”

Friend 1: "That's cool."

신하리: “저만 보지 말고 좀 먹어요.”

Shin Ha-ri: "Don't just look at me, eat something."

강태무: “난 자기가 먹는 것만 봐도 배불러서 괜찮다니까.”

Kang Tae-moo: "I'm fine just watching you eat. It makes me feel full."

강태무: “이뻐가지고.”

Kang Tae-moo: "Because you're beautiful."

신하리: “뿜.”

Shin Ha-ri: "Spits out."

신하리: “나 잠깐 화장실 좀 다녀올 게.”

Shin Ha-ri: "I'm going to the restroom for a moment."

강태무: “갈까?”

Kang Tae-moo: "Shall we go?"

신하리: “저 혼자 다녀올 수 있어요.”

Shin Ha-ri: "I can go by myself."

강태무: “자기가 안보이면 내가 불안해서 그래.”

Kang Tae-moo: "I get anxious when I can't see you."

강태무: “요 앞에까지만 바래다줄게.”

Kang Tae-moo: "I'll just walk you to the front."

친구2: “너무 부럽다.”

Friend 2: "I'm so jealous."

친구2: “하리 어디가 그렇게 좋아요?”

Friend 2: "What do you like so much about Ha-ri?"

강태무: “예쁘잖아요.”

Kang Tae-moo: "She's beautiful."

강태무: “난 살면서 우리 하리씨처럼 이쁜 사람 처음 봅니다.”

Kang Tae-moo: "I've never seen anyone as beautiful as Ha-ri in my life."

신하리: “친구들 앞이라고 좀 오바하지 좀 마요.”

Shin Ha-ri: "Don't exaggerate in front of my friends."

강태무: “오바 아닌데.”

Kang Tae-moo: "I'm not exaggerating."

강태무: “딱 처음 봤을 때부터 알았습니다.”

Kang Tae-moo: "I knew from the very first moment I saw you."

강태무: “내 여자라는 걸.”

Kang Tae-moo: "That you were my woman."

신하리: (속으로) “여자를 얼마나 만나고 다녔으면 멘트가 그냥 술술 나오네.”

Shin Ha-ri (inner thoughts): "How many women has he dated for these lines to come out so smoothly?"

친구3: “남친이 엄청 사랑꾼이다. 부럽다. 하리야!”

Friend 3: "Your boyfriend is such a romantic. I'm jealous, Ha-ri!"

친구4: “뭘, 민우도 만만치 않구만!”

Friend 4: "What? Min-woo is no less romantic!"

강태무: “민우라면 이민우 셰프를 말하는 겁니까?”

Kang Tae-moo: "Are you talking about Chef Lee Min-woo?"

친구3: “우리 민우 아세요?”

Friend 3: "You know our Min-woo?"

강태무: “일 때문에 본 적 있습니다. 회사에서”

Kang Tae-moo: "I've seen him before for work. At the company."

친구4: “하리랑 같은 회사시구나. 어느 부선데요?”

Friend 4: "Oh, you work at the same company as Ha-ri? Which department?"

강태무: “사장은 어떤 부서에 속한다고 해야할지?”

Kang Tae-moo: "How should I say this? The CEO doesn’t really belong to a department."

신하리: “어으~”

Shin Ha-ri: "Ugh~"

 

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. 한도가 있다 / 한도가 없다

This phrase refers to whether there is a limit or not on something, such as spending, capacity, or ability.

- "한도가 있다" means "there is a limit."

- "한도가 없다" means "there is no limit."

 

📌 Example Usage

"이 카드의 한도가 있어서 큰 금액은 결제할 수 없다."

"This card is limited, so I can't make a large payment."

 

"내 사랑은 한도가 없다."

"My love has no limit."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

제한이 있다 / 제한이 없다 – A formal way to say "there is a restriction / there is no restriction."

 

📌 Example Usage

"이 프로그램은 무료 사용에 제한이 있다."

"This program has restrictions on free use."

 

"이 행사는 참가 인원에 제한이 없다."

"There is no limit to the number of participants for this event."

 

2. 멋있다

This word means "cool, stylish, or impressive." It can be used to describe people, actions, or things.

 

📌 Example Usage

"정장이 정말 멋있다!"

"That suit looks really cool!"

 

"그 선수의 플레이가 정말 멋있었다."

"That player’s performance was really impressive."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

근사하다 – A slightly more formal term for "cool" or "charming."

 

📌 Example Usage

"이 레스토랑 분위기가 근사하다."

"This restaurant has a great atmosphere."

 

3. 불안하다

This word means "to feel anxious or uneasy." It describes an emotional state of worry or nervousness.

 

📌 Example Usage

"시험 결과가 나올 때까지 너무 불안하다."

"I'm so anxious until the test results come out."

 

"그 사람과 연락이 안 돼서 불안해."

"I'm worried because I can't get in touch with that person."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

초조하다 – A stronger sense of nervousness, often due to impatience.

 

📌 Example Usage

"면접을 앞두고 초조해서 잠을 못 잤다."

"I couldn't sleep because I was nervous before the interview."

 

4. 바래다주다

This phrase means "to escort or see someone off." It is commonly used when taking someone to their destination.

 

📌 Example Usage

"밤늦게까지 같이 있다가 집까지 바래다줬다."

"I stayed out late and then walked them home."

 

"기차역까지 바래다줄게."

"I'll walk you to the train station."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

데려다주다 – A more neutral or formal way to say "escort someone."

 

📌 Example Usage

"친구를 공항까지 데려다줬다."

"I took my friend to the airport."

 

5. 오바하다

This phrase, derived from the English word "over," means "to overdo" or "to exaggerate."

 

📌 Example Usage

"그렇게 반응하는 거 오바하는 거 아니야?"

"Isn't that reaction a bit too much?"

 

"아무리 기뻐도 그렇게 소리 지르는 건 좀 오바야."

"No matter how happy you are, screaming like that is a bit much."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

과장하다 – A more formal word meaning "to exaggerate."

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람은 자기가 한 일을 너무 과장해서 말한다."

"That person exaggerates everything they do."

 

6. 멘트가 술술 나오다

This phrase means "to have lines flow smoothly," and it is often used when someone speaks fluently, naturally, or flirtatiously.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람은 말을 잘해서 멘트가 술술 나온다."

"That person speaks so well that the lines just flow naturally."

 

"멘트가 술술 나오는 걸 보니 경험이 많네?"

"Since your lines flow smoothly, you must have much experience."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

말이 척척 나온다 – A way to say that words come out naturally.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 발표자가 너무 자연스럽게 말해서 말이 척척 나온다."

"That presenter speaks so naturally that the words flow effortlessly."

 

7. 사랑꾼

This term describes someone who is deeply romantic and affectionate, often expressing love openly.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람은 여자친구에게 이벤트도 자주 해주는 사랑꾼이다."

"That person frequently plans surprises for his girlfriend—he's a true romantic."

 

"사랑꾼다운 모습이 너무 보기 좋아."

"I love seeing him act like a true romantic."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

애정꾼 – A similar term but more general, referring to someone full of affection.

 

📌 Example Usage

"애정꾼이라서 주위 사람들에게도 항상 따뜻하다."

"Because he's full of affection, he's always warm toward those around him."

 

8. 만만치 않다 / 만만하다

These phrases describe how easy or difficult something is.

- "만만치 않다" means "not easy" or "challenging."

- "만만하다" means "easy" or "not impressive."

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람, 만만한 상대가 아니야."

"That person is not an easy opponent."

 

"이 프로젝트가 생각보다 만만치 않다."

"This project is harder than I expected."

 

"이 일은 생각보다 만만하다."

"This task is easier than I thought."

 

"그 사람을 만만하게 보면 안 돼."

"You shouldn't take that person lightly."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

쉽지 않다 / 쉽다 – More neutral ways to express difficulty or ease.

 

📌 Example Usage

"이 시험은 쉽지 않다."

"This test is not easy."

 

"이 문제는 꽤 쉬운 편이다."

"This question is quite easy."

🎥 Grammatical Analysis of the Dialogue

The following content contains a lot of grammatical explanations. If you're not an advanced Korean learner, skim through it and don’t focus too much. If you're a beginner or intermediate learner, memorizing even one more conversation from above is better.

 

강태무: "이런 거 보지 말고 나만 봐."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "이런 거": "이런 (such, like this)" + "거 (것, thing)" → "things like this."

- "보지 말고": "보다 (to look)" + negation "-지 말다" (used for prohibiting an action) + "-고" (connective ending).

• "보지 마": "Don't look."

• "보지 말고": "Don't look at this and instead do something else."

- "나만 봐": "나 (me)" + "만 (only)" + "보다 (to look)" in imperative form + “-아” (imperative sentence-ending particle).

• "나만 봐": "Only look at me."

 

📌 Example Usage

"핸드폰 보지 말고 내 얘기 좀 들어!"

"Stop looking at your phone and listen to me!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"이런 것 보지 말고 나한테 집중해."

"Don't look at things like this; focus only on me."

 

강태무: "자길 향한 내 사랑과 이 카드의 공통점이 뭔지 알아?"

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "자길 향한": "자기 (you)" + object marker "-를" + "향한 (toward, directed at)."

• “자기를” → “자길” (contracted form).

- "내 사랑": "내 (my)" + "사랑 (love)."

• “나의” → “내” (contracted form).

- "이 카드": "이 (this)" + "카드 (card)."

- "공통점이": "공통점 (common point, similarity)" + subject marker "-이."

- "뭔지 알아?": "무엇 (what)" + "인지 (indirect question)" + "알다 (to know)" in interrogative form + “-아” (interrogative sentence-ending particle).

• “무엇인지” → “뭐인지” → "뭔지" (shortened form).

 

📌 Example Usage

"나랑 너의 공통점이 뭔지 알아?"

"Do you know what you and I have in common?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"내가 너를 향한 사랑과 이 카드의 공통된 점이 뭔지 아냐?"

"Do you know what my love for you and this card have in common?"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"뭔지 알아?" → "뭔지 아라?" (naturally linked pronunciation).

 

강태무: "한도가 없다는 거."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "한도가 없다": "한도 (limit)" + "가 없다 (does not exist)."

- "-다는 거": Indirect speech pattern ("-다는 것" → "다는 거") to emphasize a statement.

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리 우정의 공통점이 뭔지 알아? 끝이 없다는 거!"

"Do you know what our friendship has in common? It has no end!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"내 사랑과 이 카드 모두 제한이 없다는 뜻이야."

"It means both my love and this card have no limit."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"없다는 거" → "업따는 거" (sound linking phenomenon).

 

친구1: "멋있다."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "멋있다": "멋 (style, charm)" + "-있다" (to have, to possess).

• Used to express admiration for something stylish or impressive.

 

📌 Example Usage

"네 말 진짜 멋있다!"

"What you just said is really cool!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"정말 대단하다!"

"That's really cool!"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"멋있다" → "머싣따" (fortis phenomenon).

 

신하리: "저만 보지 말고 좀 먹어요."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "저만": "저 (me, formal)" + "만 (only)."

- "보지 말고": "보다 (to look)" + negation "-지 말다" + connective "-고" ("don't do this, but instead do that").

- "좀": A softener meaning "a little" or "please."

- "먹어요" "먹다 (to eat)" in polite form. It conveys the speaker's thoughts or feelings to the listener.

 

📌 Example Usage

"TV만 보지 말고 책도 좀 읽어!"

"Don't just watch TV, read a book too!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"나만 바라보지 말고 밥 좀 먹어."

"Don't just stare at me, eat some food."

 

강태무: "난 자기가 먹는 것만 봐도 배불러서 괜찮다니까."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "난": A contracted form of "나는."

- "자기가 먹는 것만 봐도": "자기 (you)" + "가 (subject marker)" + "먹는 것 (the act of eating)" + "만 (only)" + "봐도 (even if I look)."

• “보다” + “-도” (A particle meaning "also" or "even if") → “보아도” → “봐도” (contracted form).

- "배불러서 괜찮다니까": "배불러서 (because I'm full)" + "괜찮다니까 (I told you I'm fine)."

• “배불러서”: “배부르다” + “-어서” (A connective ending indicating reason or cause).

• “괜찮다니까”: “괜찮다” + “-니까” (A connective ending indicating reason or cause).

 

📌 Example Usage

"난 네가 웃는 것만 봐도 행복해."

"Just seeing you smile makes me happy."

 

☀️ Meaning

"나는 네가 밥 먹는 것만 봐도 배부르니까 괜찮아."

"Just watching you eat makes me full, so I'm fine."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"배불러서 괜찮다니까" → "배불러서 괜찬타니까" (sound linking phenomenon).

 

강태무: "이뻐가지고."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "이뻐가지고": "이쁘다 (to be pretty)" + "-가지고" (spoken form of "-아서," meaning "because").

• “-가지고”: Often used in informal speech to give a reason.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그냥 이뻐가지고 보고만 있어도 좋아."

"You're just so pretty that I like looking at you."

 

☀️ Meaning

"너무 예뻐서 그렇다."

"It's because you're so pretty."

 

신하리: "뿜."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "뿜": An onomatopoeic word indicating someone spitting out something due to laughter or surprise.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 말 듣고 바로 뿜었어."

"I immediately spit my drink out after hearing that."

 

☀️ Meaning

"웃겨서 입에 있던 걸 뿜어버렸다."

"I laughed so hard that I spit out what was in my mouth."

 

신하리: "나 잠깐 화장실 좀 다녀올 게."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "나": Informal first-person pronoun ("I").

- "잠깐": "A short moment."

- "화장실": "Restroom."

- "좀": A softener meaning "a little" or "just."

- "다녀올 게": "다녀오다 (to go and come back)" + future/casual promise ending "-ㄹ 게."

 

📌 Example Usage

"나 잠깐 카페에 다녀올 게."

"I'll go to the café for a moment."

 

☀️ Meaning

"나는 잠시 화장실에 갔다 올게."

"I'll go to the restroom for a moment."

 

강태무: "갈까?"

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "갈까?" "가다 (to go)" + "-ㄹ까?" (asking about intention or suggestion).

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리 영화 보러 갈까?"

"Shall we go watch a movie?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"같이 갈까?"

"Shall I go with you?"

 

신하리: "저 혼자 다녀올 수 있어요."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "저": Formal first-person pronoun ("I").

- "혼자": "Alone, by oneself."

- "다녀올 수 있어요": "다녀오다 (to go and return)" + potential form "-ㄹ 수 있다" + polite ending "-요."

 

📌 Example Usage

"저 혼자서도 할 수 있어요."

"I can do it by myself."

 

☀️ Meaning

"저는 혼자서 다녀올 수 있습니다."

"I can go by myself."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"다녀올 수 있어요" → "다녀올 쑤 이써요" (fortis phenomenon, sound linking).

 

강태무: "자기가 안 보이면 내가 불안해서 그래."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "자기가": "자기 (you)" + subject marker "-가."

- "안 보이면": "안 (not)" + "보이다 (to be seen)" + conditional ending "-면 (if)."

- "내가": "나 (I)" + subject marker "-가."

- "불안해서 그래": "불안하다 (to feel anxious)" + "-아서/어서" + "그래 (that's why, because of that)."

• “-아서/어서” is a connective ending that indicates the cause or reason for the preceding clause.

• “불안하다” + “-아서/어서” → “불안해서”

 

📌 Example Usage

"너가 안 보이면 불안해."

"I feel uneasy when I can't see you."

 

☀️ Meaning

"네가 안 보이면 내가 걱정되고 불안해."

"I feel anxious and worried when I can't see you."

 

강태무: "요 앞에까지만 바래다줄게."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "요 앞에까지만": "요 (this, the casual spoken form of '이')" + "앞에 (in front)" + "까지 (up to)" + "만 (only)."

- "바래다줄게": "바래다주다 (to see someone off, escort)" + future/casual promise ending "-ㄹ게."

❗Note: The correct form of "바래다주다" is actually "바라다주다."

• “바라다”: A verb meaning "to hope, to wish for something to happen."

 

📌 Example Usage

"집 앞까지만 바래다줄게."

"I'll walk you just to the front of your house."

 

☀️ Meaning

"이 앞까지만 너를 데려다줄게."

"I’ll escort you just up to here."

 

친구2: "너무 부럽다."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "너무": "Very, too much."

- "부럽다": "To be jealous, to envy (in a positive way)."

 

📌 Example Usage

"너 정말 부럽다!"

"I'm really jealous of you!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"정말 부러워."

"I'm really envious."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"부럽다" → "부럽따" (fortis phenomenon).

 

친구2: "하리 어디가 그렇게 좋아요?"

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "하리": Name (Ha-ri).

- "어디가": "어디 (where, which part)" + subject marker "-가."

- "그렇게": "So much, that much."

- "좋아요?": "좋다 (to like, to be good)" + polite ending "-아요?"

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람 어디가 그렇게 좋아?"

"What do you like so much about that person?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"하리의 어떤 점이 그렇게 좋은 거야?"

"What do you like so much about Ha-ri?"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"어디가 그렇게" → "어디가 그러케" (sound linking phenomenon).

 

강태무: "예쁘잖아요."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "예쁘잖아요": "예쁘다 (to be pretty)" + "-잖아요 (used to state an obvious fact)."

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람이 왜 좋냐고? 예쁘잖아."

"Why do I like that person? Because she's pretty, obviously."

 

☀️ Meaning

"그녀는 예쁘잖아. 당연한 거 아냐?"

"She's pretty, isn't that obvious?"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"예쁘잖아요" → "예쁘잔아요" (sound linking phenomenon).

 

강태무: "난 살면서 우리 하리씨처럼 이쁜 사람 처음 봅니다."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "난": A contracted form of "나는."

- "살면서": "살다 (to live)" + "-면서 (while, during)."

- "우리 하리씨처럼": "우리 (my, affectionate term)" + "하리씨 (Ha-ri, honorific)" + "처럼 (like, as)."

• “하리씨”: “하리” + “-씨” (a suffix used after a name to show respect or politeness).

- "이쁜 사람": "이쁘다 (to be pretty)" + noun-forming suffix "-ㄴ" + "사람 (person)."

- "처음 봅니다": "처음 (for the first time)" + "보다 (to see)" + formal ending "-ㅂ니다."

 

🦋 “우리”:

The word "우리" (uri) in Korean can be tricky for foreigners to understand because it's used in ways that don't have a direct equivalent in many other languages. Here's a breakdown:

 

1. Literal Meaning: "We/Us/Our"

Like in English, "우리" can mean "we," "us," or "our" when referring to a group of people.

- Example: "우리는 한국인입니다" (Urineun hanguk-in-imnida) - "We are Korean."

 

2. Possessive Use: Showing a Close Relationship

This is where it gets interesting! "우리" is often used with family members, close friends, or things that are considered close to the speaker. It implies a sense of belonging or connection.

- 우리 부모님 (uri bumo-nim) - our parents

- 우리 형 (uri hyeong) - our older brother

- 우리 집 (uri jip) - our house

- 우리 학교 (uri hakgyo) - our school

 

3. Cultural Significance: "우리" as a Sense of Community

The use of "우리" reflects the collectivist nature of Korean culture. It emphasizes the importance of family, community, and belonging.

- It can also be a way of showing respect or affection towards someone.

 

4. How to Explain it Simply

You can tell foreigners that "우리" in these contexts is like saying "my" or "mine," but with a warmer, more inclusive feeling.

- It's a way of acknowledging the importance of the person or thing being referred to.

 

5. Common Examples

- 우리 엄마 (uri eomma) - my mom

- 우리 아빠 (uri appa) - my dad

- 우리 동네 (uri dongne) - my neighborhood

- 우리 회사 (uri hwesa) - my company

 

6. Important Note

While "우리" can sometimes sound possessive to foreigners, it's generally not meant to be taken literally. It's more of a cultural expression.

 

📌 Example Usage

"난 살면서 그렇게 착한 사람 처음 봤어."

"I've never seen someone that kind in my life before."

 

☀️ Meaning

"내 인생에서 우리 하리씨처럼 아름다운 사람을 처음 봐."

"In my life, I've never seen someone as beautiful as Ha-ri."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"봅니다" → "봄니다"

 

신하리: "친구들 앞이라고 좀 오바하지 좀 마요."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "친구들 앞이라고": "친구들 (friends, plural)" + "앞 (in front of)" + "-이라고 (because, since)."

- "좀": A softener meaning "a little" or "please."

- "오바하지 좀 마요": "오바하다 (to overdo, exaggerate)" + negation "-지 마요 (don't do it)."

• “오바하다”: A word borrowed from English "over," meaning to be overly excited or exaggerate.

 

📌 Example Usage

"부모님 앞이라고 너무 오바하지 마."

"Don't overdo it just because we're in front of my parents."

 

☀️ Meaning

"친구들 앞이라고 너무 과하게 행동하지 마."

"Don't overdo it just because we're in front of my friends."

 

강태무: "오바 아닌데."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "오바": A Korean pronunciation of "over," meaning "to exaggerate" or "to overdo."

- "아닌데": "아니다 (to not be)" + "-ㄴ데 (but, it's not like that)."

• "-ㄴ데" is a sentence-ending connector used to explain the previous clause or introduce a new one.

 

📌 Example Usage

"A: 너 오바 좀 그만해!"

"B: 오바 아닌데?"

"A: Stop overreacting!"

"B: I'm not overreacting!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"이건 과장된 게 아니야."

"This isn't an exaggeration."

 

강태무: "딱 처음 봤을 때부터 알았습니다."

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "딱": "Exactly, just, precisely."

- "처음 봤을 때부터": "처음 (first)" + "보다 (to see)" in past form "봤을" + "때 (time, moment)" + "부터 (from)."

• “보다” → “봤다” (past tense) + “-을” (adnominal ending modifying the noun “때”).
"알았습니다" "알다 (to know)" + past formal ending "-았습니다."

- “알다” → “알았다” (past tense) + “-습니다” (formal polite ending).

 

📌 Example Usage

"난 그 사람을 처음 봤을 때부터 좋은 사람이라고 생각했어."

"I thought that person was nice from the moment I first saw them."

 

☀️ Meaning

"처음 본 순간부터 확신했어."

"I was sure from the moment I first saw you."

 

강태무: "내 여자라는 걸."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "내 여자": "내 (my)" + "여자 (woman, girlfriend)."

• “내”: “나의” → “내” (contracted form).
- "-라는 걸": Indirect speech marker "-라는 것" (that something is) + object particle "-을" (spoken as "-걸").

• “여자라는 것을” → “여자라는 걸” (contracted form).

 

📌 Example Usage

"그때부터 네가 내 운명이라는 걸 알았어."

"I knew from that moment that you were my destiny."

 

☀️ Meaning

"네가 내 여자라는 사실을 처음부터 알았어."

"I knew from the start that you were my woman."

 

신하리: (속으로) "여자를 얼마나 만나고 다녔으면 멘트가 그냥 술술 나오네."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "여자를 얼마나 만나고 다녔으면": "여자 (woman)" + object marker "-를" + "얼마나 (how much)" + "만나다 (to date)" + "-고" (connective ending) + "다니다 (to go around, frequently do)." → “다녔다” (past tense) + "-으면" (conditional ending indicating a hypothetical or assumed situation).

• “다니다” → “다녔다” + “-으면” → “다녔으면”

- "멘트가 그냥 술술 나오네": "멘트 (line, comment)" + "-가" (subject marker) + "그냥 (just)" + "술술 (smoothly, fluently)" + "나오네 (comes out, flows easily)."

• “나오다” + "-네" (sentence-ending particle indicating an ongoing or observed action) → “나오네.”

• "-네" describes something happening or expresses surprise at an observed event.

 

📌 Example Usage

"공부를 얼마나 했으면 답이 그냥 술술 나오냐?"

"You must have studied a lot for the answers to come out so smoothly."

 

☀️ Meaning

"이런 말이 자연스럽게 나오는 걸 보니 연애 경험이 많겠네."

"He must have much dating experience for these lines to come out so naturally."

 

친구3: "남친이 엄청 사랑꾼이다. 부럽다. 하리야!"

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "남친": "남자 친구 (boyfriend)" in a shortened form.

- "엄청": "Very, extremely."

- "사랑꾼": "사랑 (love)" + "꾼 (a person who is skilled at something)" → "A romantic person."

- "부럽다": "To be envious, jealous (in a positive way)."

- “하리야”: “하리” + "-야" (a vocative particle used when calling someone).

 

📌 Example Usage

"너 남친 진짜 사랑꾼이다!"

"Your boyfriend is such a romantic!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"네 남자친구 정말 로맨틱하다. 부럽다!"

"Your boyfriend is really romantic. I'm jealous!"

 

친구4: "뭘, 민우도 만만치 않구만!"

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "뭘": Shortened form of "뭘 그래?" meaning "What are you talking about?"

• “뭘”: “무엇을” → “뭘” (contracted form).
- "민우도": "민우 (Min-woo, name)" + "도 (also)."
- "만만치 않구만": "만만하다 (to be easy, to be nothing special)" in the negated form "만만치 않다" (not easy, not bad) + "-구만" (exclamatory ending, like "I see").

 

📌 Example Usage

"A: 네 남친 진짜 잘생겼다!"

"B: 뭘, 네 남친도 만만치 않아!"

"A: Your boyfriend is so handsome!"

"B: What? Your boyfriend isn’t bad either!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"뭘 그런 말을 해? 민우도 못지않게 로맨틱하잖아!"

"What are you talking about? Min-woo is just as romantic!"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"만만치 않구만" → "만만치 안쿠만" (sound linking phenomenon).

 

강태무: "민우라면 이민우 셰프를 말하는 겁니까?"

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "민우라면": "민우 (Min-woo, name)" + topic marker "-라면" (if, assuming that).

- "이민우 셰프를": "이민우 (Lee Min-woo, full name)" + "셰프 (chef)" + object marker "-를."

- "말하는 겁니까?": "말하다 (to say, to mean)" + noun-forming ending "-는 것" (spoken as "-는 거") + formal interrogative ending "-ㅂ니까?"

• “말하는 것입니까” → “말하는 겁니까” (contracted form).

 

📌 Example Usage

"A: 그분이 김선호라면 배우 김선호를 말하는 겁니까?"

"B: 네, 맞아요!"

"A: By Kim Seon-ho, do you mean the actor Kim Seon-ho?"

"B: Yes, that's right!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"민우라고 하면 혹시 이민우 셰프를 뜻하는 겁니까?"

"By Min-woo, do you mean Chef Lee Min-woo?"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"말하는 겁니까?" → "말하는 검니까?" (sound linking phenomenon).

 

친구3: "우리 민우 아세요?"

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "우리 민우": "우리 (our, affectionate term for someone close)" + "민우 (Min-woo, name)."

- "아세요?" "알다 (to know)" + honorific ending "-세요?"

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리 선배님 아세요?"

"Do you know our senior?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"우리 민우를 알고 계세요?"

"You know Min-woo?"

 

강태무: "일 때문에 본 적 있습니다. 회사에서."

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "일 때문에": "일 (work)" + "때문에 (because of)."

- "본 적 있습니다": "보다 (to see)" + past experience marker "-(으)ㄴ 적" + formal ending "있습니다."

• “있다” → “있습니다” (polite form).

- "회사에서": "회사 (company)" + location marker "-에서."

 

📌 Example Usage

"출장 때문에 그분을 본 적 있습니다."

"I've seen him before because of a business trip."

 

☀️ Meaning

"회사에서 업무상 본 적이 있습니다."

"I've seen him before because of work at the company."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"본 적 있습니다" → "본 적 읻씀니다" (sound linking phenomenon).

 

친구4: "하리랑 같은 회사시구나. 어느 부선데요?"

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "하리랑": "하리 (Ha-ri, name)" + "랑 (with, casual form of '과/와')."

- "같은 회사시구나": "같다 (to be the same)" + "-은 (adjective form)" + "회사 (company)" + honorific suffix "-시" + casual realization "-구나."

- "어느 부선데요?": "어느 (which)" + "부서 (department)" + topic marker "-는" (spoken as "-선") + polite question ending "-데요?"

• “부선데요?”: “부서” + “-인데요” (descriptive particle) → “부서인데요” → “부선데요” (contracted form).

 

📌 Example Usage

"A: 너랑 같은 학교 다닌다면서?"

"B: 응, 맞아!"

"A: So you go to the same school?"

"B: Yeah, that's right!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"하리랑 같은 회사에서 근무하시나 보네요. 어느 부서에서 일하세요?"

"Oh, so you work at the same company as Ha-ri? Which department are you in?"

 

강태무: "사장은 어떤 부서에 속한다고 해야 할지?"

🔍 분석 (Analysis)

- "사장은": "사장 (president, CEO)" + topic marker "-은."

- "어떤 부서에": "어떤 (which, what kind of)" + "부서 (department)" + location marker "-에."

- "속한다고 해야 할지?": "속하다 (to belong to)" + indirect speech "-다고" + uncertain expression "-해야 할지."

• “속한다” + “-다고” → “속한다고.”

• “해야 하다” + “-ㄹ 지” → “해야 할 지.”

• "-ㄹ 지": A connective ending used to indicate uncertainty about the future or possibility, as in "어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠다" ("I don't know what to do").

 

📌 Example Usage

"회장은 어느 팀에 속한다고 해야 할까?"

"How should I say which team the chairman belongs to?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"사장은 어느 부서에 속한다고 해야 할까요?"

"How should I say which department the president belongs to?"

 

신하리: "어으~"

 

🔍 분석 (Analysis)
- "어으~" An exclamation used when feeling embarrassed or flustered.

 

📌 Example Usage

"A: 야, 너무 달달한 거 아니야?"

"B: 어으~ 손발 오그라들어!"

"A: Isn't that way too sweet?"

"B: Ugh, that's so cringy!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"아, 민망해!"

"Ugh, this is embarrassing!"

Business Proposal (2022)

 

🎥 Final Thoughts

Kang Tae-moo’s unstoppable determination, Shin Ha-ri’s flustered reaction, and their friends’ envious gazes—all came together perfectly. These moments, filled with romantic lines and effortlessly witty acting, brought both laughter and excitement to the viewers.

There were also plenty of useful expressions to pick up from this scene. Just like the phrase “한도가 없다” (having no limit), let’s make sure your Korean skills grow without limits through continuous practice! Expressions like “오바하다” (to overdo or exaggerate), “바래다주다” (to see someone off or escort), and “불안하다” (to feel anxious) are frequently used in romance dramas and can be quite handy in real-life conversations, too.

Most importantly, aim for natural Korean dialogue that flows “술술 나오는” (smoothly and effortlessly). I’ll be back with more fun and useful expressions in the next post. See you next time!