Exploring “썸, some” in “Be Melodramatic”: A K-Drama Shorts Analysis

🎥 Introduction

"썸을 탄다" is a Korean phrase that describes the uncertain, ambiguous stage between friendship and a romantic relationship. “썸” originates from the English word "something," implying an undefined yet noticeable attraction between two people. This term is used when two individuals have mutual interests but have not officially started dating.

In this stage, both parties explore their feelings, observe each other’s reactions, and approach cautiously. It is a period of emotional uncertainty and excitement, often seen in Korean romance dramas.

One of the best portrayals of this "썸" relationship can be found in the Korean melodrama "Be Melodramatic." (멜로가 체질) Although the drama wasn’t a massive hit, it contains a scene that perfectly captures this phase's delicate, awkward, yet thrilling nature. Since the scene has minimal dialogue, I have also described the atmosphere and character interactions through writing. This description is not an official script but my interpretation of the scene.

 

🎥 Short Video

[Source] @DRAMAVoyage

 

🎥 Meet the Characters

- Eun-jung (Jeon Yeo-been): A documentary director struggling with grief while navigating her personal and professional life.

- Sang-soo (Son Suk-ku): A commercial director who quietly watches over Eun-jung, understanding her pain and supporting her as she moves forward.

양식의 맨 위

 

🎥 Dialogue & Description

상수: (은정에게 술을 따라준다. 그리고 자신의 술잔도 채운다.)

Sang-soo: (Pours a drink for Eun-jung and then fills his glass.)

은정: (술을 채우는 상수의 잔에 손가락을 갖다 댄다.)

Eun-jung: (Touches Sang-soo’s glass with her finger as he fills it.)

상수: “Here’s looking at you. Kid.”

상수: “카사블랑카에 나온 대산데….”

Sang-soo: "It’s a line from Casablanca..."

상수: “와아, 우리나라에서 참 멋지게 번역됐지.”

Sang-soo: "Wow, it was translated beautifully in our language."

상수: “당신의 눈에 뭐가 보이든… 나는…”

Sang-soo: "No matter what you see in your eyes... I..."

상수: “당신의 눈동자에… 건배…”

Sang-soo: "A toast... to your eyes..."

상수: (그렇게 말하면서 은정을 향해 잔을 들고 있다.)

Sang-soo: (Raises his glass toward Eun-jung as he says this.)

은정: (잔을 맞춰줘야 하나 망설이다가 자신의 술잔을 내민다.)

Eun-jung: (Hesitates, wondering if she should clink glasses, then extends her own.)

상수: (그 잔을 지나쳐 은정의 눈에 잔을 가져다 댄다.)

Sang-soo: (Passes by her glass and brings his to her eyes.)

(소주잔과 은정의 눈이 맞닿은 채, 잠시 정적이 흐른다.)

(The soju glass and Eun-jung’s eyes meet, and a brief silence follows.)

상수: (잔을 바로 떼야 하나 망설이고 있다.)

Sang-soo: (Hesitates, unsure if he should move the glass away immediately.)

은정: (그런 상수에게 웃으면서) “떼.”

Eun-jung: (Smiles at Sang-soo and says) "Move it."

 

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. 술잔을 채우다

It refers to the act of filling a glass with alcohol. In Korea, it is considered polite to fill someone else's glass.

 

📌 Example Usage

"상사가 내 술잔을 채워 주셔서 얼른 마셨다."

"My boss filled my glass, so I downed it."

 

"술자리에서는 상대방의 술잔이 비지 않도록 채워주는 것이 예의다."

"At drinking gatherings, keeping others' glasses filled is polite."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

술을 따르다 – 술을 잔에 붓는 행위.

 

📌 Example Usage

"어른께 술을 따를 때는 두 손을 사용하는 것이 예의다."

"When pouring alcohol for elders, it is polite to use both hands."

 

2. 건배

The act of clinking glasses while shouting "건배" before drinking, or the phrase itself. In Korea, it is used for celebrations and well-wishing (luck, success).

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리의 우정을 위하여, 건배!"

"To our friendship, cheers!"

"새해를 맞아 다 같이 건배를 했다."

"We all made a toast to the new year."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

위하여! – A toast is often used in formal settings.

 

📌 Example Usage

"새로운 프로젝트의 성공을 위하여! 건배!"

"To the success of our new project! Cheers!"

Cheers! – The most common toast in English.

3. 잔을 맞추다 / 짠하다

The act of clinking glasses during a drinking occasion. "짠하다" is an informal expression for this action.

 

📌 Example Usage

"친구들과 잔을 맞추며 즐거운 시간을 보냈다."

"I had a great time clinking glasses with my friends."

 

"우리 다 함께 짠하고 한 잔 하자!"

"Let's all clink glasses and have a drink!"

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

술잔을 부딪치다 – A formal way to express the same action.

 

📌 Example Usage

"둘이 술잔을 부딪치며 화해를 했다."

"They clinked glasses and made up."

 

4. 정적이 흐르다

A situation where the conversation stops, creating a moment of silence. Often used in tense situations.

 

📌 Example Usage

"내가 실수로 이상한 말을 하자 순간 정적이 흘렀다."

"As soon as I accidentally said something weird, an awkward silence followed."

 

"그의 마지막 말이 끝나자 정적이 흘렀다."

"After his last words, silence filled the room."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

침묵이 흐르다 – Emphasizes complete silence without any sound.

 

📌 Example Usage

"회의실에는 침묵이 흘렀다."

"Silence filled the conference room."

5. 썸을 타다

A state where two people exchange ambiguous feelings and show interest, potentially leading to a romantic relationship.

 

📌 Example Usage

"나랑 그 사람, 요즘 썸 타는 것 같아."

"I think I'm in a ‘some’ relationship with that person these days."

 

"썸만 타고 끝날 줄 알았는데 결국 사귀게 됐다."

"I thought we'd only have a casual flirtation, but we ended up dating."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

밀당하다 – A dating style where one intentionally controls emotional expression to test the other person's interest.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그는 나한테 밀당을 너무 많이 해서 헷갈린다."

"He plays too many mind games with me, and it's confusing."

 

눈치게임을 하다 – A situation where both people like each other but hesitate to confess.

 

📌 Example Usage

"우린 서로 좋아하는데 눈치게임만 하고 있어."

"We like each other, but we're just playing the waiting game."

🎥 Grammatical Analysis of the Dialogue & Description

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.

상수: (은정에게 술을 따라준다. 그리고 자신의 술잔도 채운다.)

“은정에게 술을 따라준다.”

- "은정에게": "은정 (Eun-jung, name)" + "-에게" (dative particle, indicating the recipient of an action) → "To Eun-jung" (as the recipient of the drink)

- "술을": "술" (alcohol, drink) + "-을" (object marker)

- "따라준다": "따르다" (to pour, to follow) + "주다" (to do something for someone)
→ "따라주다" (to pour for someone) → "따라준다" (present tense ending)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"아버지께 술을 따라드렸다."

"I poured a drink for my father."

 

"그리고 자신의 술잔도 채운다.":

- "그리고": "And, then" (used for sequencing actions)

- "자신의": "자신 (oneself, one's own)" + possessive "-의"

- "술잔도": "술잔 (glass, cup for alcohol)" + additive particle "-도" (also)

- "채운다": "채우다 (to fill, to fill up)" → "채운다" (present tense ending)

📌 Example Usage:

"컵을 가득 채웠다."

"I filled the cup to the brim."

 

🔮 Meaning:
"He pours a drink for Eun-jung and then fills his glass as well."

 

은정: (술을 채우는 상수의 잔에 손가락을 갖다 댄다.)

“술을 채우는 상수의 잔에”

- "술을": "술 (alcohol, drink)" + object marker "-을"

- "채우는": "채우다 (to fill)" + present participle "-는" (modifying the noun "상수의 잔")

 

📌 Example Usage:

"물을 채우는 컵"

"A cup being filled with water"

 

- "상수의": "상수 (Sang-soo, name)" + possessive "-의"

- "잔에": "잔 (glass, cup)" + location particle "-에" ("on/in the glass")

 

📌 Example Usage:

"그의 잔에 와인을 따랐다."

"I poured wine into his glass."

 

"손가락을 갖다 댄다."

- 손가락" (finger) + object marker "-을"

- "갖다 대다": "갖다 (to bring, to put close to)" + "대다 (to touch, to place near)" → "갖다 대다" → "갖다 댄다" (present tense ending)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"책상 위에 손가락을 갖다 댔다."

"I placed my finger on the desk."

 

🔎 Background Explanation:

In the past, in Korea, when drinking with others, it was considered inappropriate and even flawed luck to pour alcohol into one's glass. The basic etiquette was that someone else should pour for you. If someone attempted to pour their drink, others would often intervene by touching their glass or taking the bottle to pour for them. This was a way of discouraging the "unlucky" act of self-pouring. If a glass was empty, the standard etiquette was to signal the person next to them to refill it.

Eun-jung placing her finger on Sang-soo's glass carries this cultural meaning—she is signaling that he should not pour his drink. However, this traditional drinking culture is becoming a thing of the past. Nowadays, people pour as much as they want for themselves without concern, and it is now socially acceptable.

 

🎤 Pronunciation Tips: "손가락을 갖다 댄다" → "손까라글 갇따 댄다" (linked pronunciation occurs)

 

상수: “Here’s looking at you. Kid.”

Sang-soo: "Here’s looking at you, kid."

 

상수: "카사블랑카에 나온 대산데…."

- "카사블랑카": 영화 Casablanca (1942)

- "-에 나온": "~에 나오다" (to appear in ~)

- "나오다" → "나온" (past participle form, modifying "대사")

- "대산데": "대사 (line, dialogue)" + "-인데" (background explanation or emphasis)

- "대사인데" → "대산데" (shortened form)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"이건 셰익스피어 희곡에 나온 대사인데…"

"This is a line from a Shakespeare play..."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"This is a line from Casablanca...."

 

상수: "와아, 우리나라에서 참 멋지게 번역됐지."

- "와아": exclamation (wow, admiration)

- "우리나라에서": "우리나라 (our country)" + "-에서" (location particle)

- "참": emphasis (very, truly)

- "멋지게": "멋지다 (to be wonderful, stylish)" + adverbial suffix "-게"

- "번역됐지": "번역되다 (to be translated)" + past tense suffix "-었-" + "~지" (friendly or confirming tone)

- "번역되다" → "번역되었다" (past) → "번역됐다" (shortened form) + "-지"

 

📌 Example Usage:

"이 소설, 한국에서 참 잘 번역됐지."

"This novel was really well translated in Korea."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"카사블랑카의 이 대사는 우리나라에서 정말 멋지게 번역됐지."

"This line from Casablanca was beautifully translated in our country."

 

🎤 Pronunciation Tips: "멋지게 번역됐지" → "멋찌게 번역됃찌"

 

상수: "당신의 눈에 뭐가 보이든… 나는…"

- "당신의": "당신 (you)" + Possessive case "-의" (your)

- "눈에": "눈 (eyes)" + Locative particle "-에" (in)

- "뭐가": "뭐 (what)" + Nominative case "-가"

- "뭐": A shortened form of "무엇," meaning "what." Likewise, "뭐가" is a shortened form of "무엇이."

- "보이든": "보이다 (to be seen)" + Hypothetical form "-이든" (no matter what is seen)

- "나는": "나 (I)" + Nominative case "-는" (emphasizing the subject)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"네가 무엇을 하든 나는 널 믿어."

"No matter what you do, I trust you."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"No matter what you see in your eyes... I...."

 

상수: "당신의 눈동자에… 건배…"

- "당신의 눈동자에": "당신 (you)" + Possessive case “의” + "눈동자 (pupils, eyes)" + Locative case "-에" (in, to)

- "건배": Cheers! (a common phrase used when toasting)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"우리의 미래를 위해, 건배!"

"To our future, cheers!"

 

상수: (그렇게 말하면서 은정을 향해 잔을 들고 있다.)

“그렇게 말하면서” → "While saying that"

- "그렇게 (like that, in that way)" + "말하다 (to say)" + "-면서" (while doing ~, simultaneous action)

 

"은정을 향해" → "toward Eun-jung"

- "은정 (Eun-jung, name)" + "을" (object marker)

- "향해": The conjugated form of "향하다 (to face, to be directed toward)"

 

"잔을 들고 있다." → "Holding up his glass"

- "잔 (glass, cup)" + "을" (object marker)

- "들다 (to lift, to raise)" + 현재진행형 "-고 있다" (indicating continuous action)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"그는 나를 향해 손을 흔들고 있다."

"He is waving his hand toward me."

 

🔮 Meaning:
"As he says this, he raises his glass toward Eun-jung."

 

은정: (잔을 맞춰줘야 하나 망설이다가 자신의 술잔을 내민다.)

"잔을 맞춰줘야 하나" → "Should I clink glasses with him?"

- "잔 (glass, cup)" + "을" (object marker)

- "맞추다 (to match, to clink in this context)" + "주다" → "맞추어 주다" → "맞춰주다" (shortened form)

- "맞춰줘야": "맞춰주다" + "-해야 하나" (sentence ending indicating uncertainty in a question)

 

- "망설이다가": "망설이다 (to hesitate)" + "-다가" (indicating a change of action) → "Hesitating and then…"

 

"자신의 술잔을 내민다." → "She extends her glass."

- "자신 (oneself, one’s own)" + possessive "-의"

- "술잔 (glass for alcohol)" + "을" (object marker)

- "내밀다 (to extend, to offer forward)" → "내민다" (present tense)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"잔을 맞춰야 하나 고민하다가 결국 맞췄다."

"I hesitated about clinking glasses, but I did it in the end."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"잔을 부딪쳐야 할지 고민하다가 결국 자신의 잔을 내밀었다."

"She hesitates, wondering if she should clink glasses, then offers her own glass."

 

상수: (그 잔을 지나쳐 은정의 눈에 잔을 가져다 댄다.)

"그 잔을 지나쳐" → "He moves past the glass."

- "그 (that)" + "잔 (glass, cup)" + "을" (object marker)

- "지나치다 (to pass by, to move past)" + "-어" (verb-ending)

 

"은정의 눈에 잔을 가져다 댄다." → "He brings the glass to Eun-jung's eye."

- "은정 (Eun-jung, name)" + possessive "-의"

- "눈 (eye)" + location particle "-에"

- "잔 (glass, cup)" + "을" (object marker)

- "가져다 대다 (to bring something close to, to place near)" → "가져다 댄다" (present tense)

 

📌 Example Usage:

"그는 꽃을 내 얼굴에 가져다 댔다."

"He brought the flower close to my face."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"잔을 부딪히지 않고 은정의 눈에 잔을 가져다 댔다."

"Instead of clinking glasses, he moves past it and brings his glass to Eun-jung’s eye."

 

(소주잔과 은정의 눈이 맞닿은 채, 잠시 정적이 흐른다.)

"소주잔과 은정의 눈이 맞닿은 채" → "With the soju glass and Eun-jung's eye touching..."

 

- "소주잔 (soju glass)" + "과" (and, connecting two nouns)

- "은정의 눈 (Eun-jung’s eye)" + "이" (subject marker)

- "맞닿다 (to touch each other)" + "-은 채" (a grammatical structure indicating a sustained state)

 

"잠시 정적이 흐른다." → "A brief silence follows."

- "잠시 (briefly, for a moment)"

- "정적 (silence, stillness)" + "이" (subject marker)

- "흐르다 (to flow, to pass)" + 현재형 "-는다"

 

📌 Example Usage:

"그와 나의 시선이 맞닿은 채, 우리는 아무 말도 하지 않았다."

"As our eyes met, we said nothing."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"소주잔과 은정의 눈이 맞닿은 상태로, 순간 정적이 흘렀다."

"The soju glass and Eun-jung’s eyes touch, and a brief silence follows."

 

🎤 Pronunciation Tips: "맞닿은 채" → "맏따은 채" (tense sound phenomenon)

 

상수: (잔을 바로 떼야 하나 망설이고 있다.)

"잔을 바로 떼야 하나" → "Should I remove the glass right away?"

- "잔 (glass, cup)" + "을" (object marker)

- "바로 (immediately, right away)"

- "떼다 (to remove, to take off)" + "-야 하나" (should I ~?)

 

"망설이고 있다." → "He is hesitating."

- "망설이다 (to hesitate)" + 현재진행형 "-고 있다"

📌 Example Usage:

"문을 바로 열어야 하나 망설였다."

"I hesitated about whether I should open the door right away."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"잔을 바로 떼야 할지 고민하고 있다."

"He hesitates, wondering if he should move the glass away immediately."

 

은정: (그런 상수에게 웃으면서) “떼.”

"그런 상수에게" → "To Sang-su, who is acting like that"

- "그런 (such, like that)" + "상수 (Sang-su, name)" + "-에게" (indicating the recipient of an action)

"웃으면서" → "Smiling while speaking"

- "웃다 (to smile, to laugh)" + "-면서" (while ~)

"떼." → "Move it."

"떼다 (to remove, to take away)" + imperative form

📌 Example Usage:

"손 떼."

"Take your hand off."

 

🔮 Meaning:

"잔을 치워."

"Move the glass."

양식의 맨 위

Be Melodramatic (2019)

Final Thoughts

"Be Melodramatic" captures deep emotions and subtle nuances in everyday conversations that seem lighthearted on the surface. In the scene above, Eun-jung and Sang-soo share feelings beyond simple attraction, yet their relationship remains undefined. Like many connections we experience, their emotions linger in the ambiguous realm of “썸, some”—a state of uncertainty and unspoken tension.

Rather than following the predictable path of a typical melodrama, the series presents a variety of emotions we encounter in relationships while maintaining a refreshing sense of realism. The characters authentically navigate their feelings, offering laughter and heartfelt moments. “Be Melodramatic” is not just a love story; it reflects how we perceive and approach love.

As you revisit this scene, you may recall a similar moment shared with someone. When the “썸” phase expires, and the direction of a relationship remains uncertain, you might remember contemplating your next step—just like Eun-jung and Sang-soo.

양식의 맨 위

양식의 맨 위

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양식의 맨 위

양식의 맨 위