Learn Korean with K-Drama Shorts: Key Phrases from “The Witch”

Master Korean Through the Magic of K-Dramas—One Scene at a Time.

This blog post curates the most engaging K-Drama Shorts and transforms them into powerful learning tools for Korean learners. I dive deep into the language, focusing on key vocabulary, expressions, and even grammar intricacies.

However, if you're a beginner or intermediate learner, don’t worry! Start with the 🎥 Dialogue and 🎯 Key Takeaways sections—designed to help you quickly absorb essential phrases.

Stay patient, follow through, and you won’t just understand the words by the end—you’ll feel the drama the way native speakers do.

For an even richer experience, pair this with K-Lingo (K-Pop) and study Korean daily. Learning a language has never been this exciting and dynamic!

 

🎥 "The Witch": Introduction

"The Witch" (Korean: 마녀) is a South Korean drama that explores the life of Park Mi-jeong, a woman who has been labeled a "witch" due to a series of unfortunate events that occur around her. The series intricately weaves themes of mystery, romance, and societal prejudice, focusing on the complex relationships that develop as Lee Dong-jin, a data miner, attempts to uncover the truth behind the misfortunes associated with Mi-jeong. The narrative captivates viewers with its suspenseful plotlines and character developments, highlighting the emotional struggles of the protagonists.

 

🎥 "The Witch": Short Video

[Source] YouTube @장면한컷

 

🎥 "The Witch" Shorts: Meet the Characters

Lee Dong-jin (이동진) – Portrayed by Park Jin-young (박진영)

Lee Dong-jin is a central figure in the drama, recognized for his analytical mind and determination. He is driven by a desire to prove that the misfortunes surrounding Mi-jeong are not her fault. As he delves deeper into her past, he navigates the challenges of societal judgment and personal ambition, making him a compelling presence in the series.

Park Mi-jeong (박미정) – Portrayed by Roh Jeong-eui (노정의)

Park Mi-jeong is the titular "witch," a character shrouded in mystery and isolation. Throughout the series, she grapples with the stigma attached to her and the tragic events that have defined her life. Her journey reflects themes of resilience and the quest for acceptance in a world that fears the unknown.

Lee Jong-soo (이종수) – Portrayed by Jeon Kuk-hwan (전국환)

He is appearing as the chairman of Grand Hill Seoul.

 

🎥 "The Witch" Shorts: Dialogue

이종수: “나한테 부탁할 게 있다고?”

Lee Jong-soo: "You have a favor to ask me?"

이동진: “아”

Lee Dong-jin: "Ah..."

이종수: “응, 이 사람이 누군가?”

Lee Jong-soo: "Yeah, who is this person?"

이동진: “세상 일이 숫자로 딱 답 나오지 않을 거라는 회장님의 말씀, 뼈저리게 느꼈습니다.”

Lee Dong-jin: "I’ve deeply realized what you once said—things in this world don’t always have clear answers like numbers do."

이동진: “저 때문에 의도치 않게 피해를 본 분입니다.”

Lee Dong-jin: "This is someone who was unintentionally harmed because of me."

이종수: “뭐 일을 하다 보면 그럴 수도 있지.”

Lee Jong-soo: "Well, that can happen when you're working."

이종수: “근데 그럴 때마다 이렇게 구제하러 돌아다닐 건가?”

Lee Jong-soo: "But are you going to keep going around saving people every time it happens?"

이동진: “카지노에서 작은 일이라도 시켜 주시면 감사하겠습니다.”

Lee Dong-jin: "If you could give them even a small job at the casino, I’d really appreciate it."

이종수: “음 그래, 자네가 보증하는 사람이라면 내 적당한 곳에 채용을 하지.”

Lee Jong-soo: "Hmm, alright. If you vouch for them, I’ll find a suitable position."

이동진: “감사합니다.”

Lee Dong-jin: "Thank you."

이종수: “요즘 같은 세상, 자기 일 아니면 도통 관심이 없잖아. 남이야 죽든 말든.”

Lee Jong-soo: "In times like these, people don’t care unless it concerns them. Whether others live or die, it doesn’t matter to them."

이종수: “근데 자넨 다른 사람을 살리려 한단 말이야.”

Lee Jong-soo: "But you’re trying to save someone else."

이종수: “참 호기심이 가는 친구야. 하하”

Lee Jong-soo: "You’re quite an interesting one. Haha."

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. 부탁 (Request, Favor)

Someone's request or favor to another person. Often used when asking for help politely.

 

📌 Example Usage

"하나만 부탁해도 될까?"

"Can I ask you for one favor?"

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

청하다 (To Request, To Ask for a Favor) – More formal and polite way of making a request.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그에게 도움을 청했어."

"I asked him for help."

 

2. 세상 일 (The Affairs of the World, Life Matters)

It refers to all kinds of matters and affairs happening in life.

 

📌 Example Usage

"세상 일은 마음대로 안 되는 법이야."

"Life doesn’t always go as planned."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

세상사 (Life’s Affairs) – Slightly literary and poetic way of expressing “세상 일.”

 

📌 Example Usage

"세상사는 참 알 수 없네."

"Life’s affairs are truly unpredictable."

 

3. 숫자 (Number, Figure)

A numerical value, a figure used in counting or measuring.

 

📌 Example Usage

"이 숫자를 더해 봐."

"Try adding these numbers."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

수치 (Numerical Value, Data) – Used in formal or academic contexts.

 

📌 Example Usage

"정확한 수치를 입력해 주세요."

"Please enter the exact numerical value."

 

4. 답이 나오다 (To Find an Answer, To Get a Solution)

It means that an answer or solution has been derived.

 

📌 Example Usage

"이제 답이 나왔어!"

"Now we’ve got the answer!"

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

해답을 찾다 (To Find a Solution) – A more direct way of stating that a solution has been found.

 

📌 Example Usage

"드디어 해답을 찾았어!"

"I’ve finally found the solution!"

 

5. 뼈저리게 느끼다 (To Feel Deeply, To Realize Painfully)

 

📌 Example Usage

"실패를 뼈저리게 느꼈어."

"I felt the failure deeply."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

통절히 깨닫다 (To Fully Realize, To Deeply Understand) – More literary and formal.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 실수를 통절히 깨달았다."

"I deeply realized that mistake."

 

6. 의도치 않게 (Unintentionally, Without Intending To)

Means that something happened without prior intention.

 

📌 Example Usage

"의도치 않게 오해를 만들었어."

"I unintentionally caused a misunderstanding."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

본의 아니게 (Against One’s Will, Unintentionally) – More commonly used in spoken language.

 

📌 Example Usage

"본의 아니게 너를 다치게 했어."

"I hurt you unintentionally."

 

7. 피해를 보다 (To Suffer Damage, To Be Harmed)

It means to be negatively affected by something.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사건으로 많은 사람들이 피해를 봤어."

"Many people suffered because of that incident."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

손해를 입다 (To Suffer a Loss) – A more financial or materialistic context.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 투자로 손해를 입었어."

"I suffered a loss from that investment."

 

8. 구제하다 (To Rescue, To Relieve, To Save Someone from a Crisis)

Refers to saving someone from a difficult situation.

 

📌 Example Usage

"정부가 실업자들을 구제하려 하고 있어."

"The government is trying to relieve the unemployed."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

돕다 (To Help, To Aid) – A more general term for assistance.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그는 어려운 사람들을 돕는 일을 해."

"He works to help people in need."

 

9. 돌아다니다 (To Wander Around, To Roam, To Travel Around)

Refers to moving from place to place without staying in one spot for long.

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리는 하루 종일 시내를 돌아다녔다."

"We wandered around downtown all day."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

배회하다 (To Loiter, To Wander Aimlessly) – Has a more serious or melancholic tone.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그는 거리를 배회하며 고민에 빠져 있었다."

"He wandered the streets, lost in thought."

 

10. 보증하다 (To Guarantee, To Vouch for, To Ensure)

This means taking responsibility for something’s authenticity, reliability, or success.

 

📌 Example Usage

"이 제품의 품질을 보증합니다."

"We guarantee the quality of this product."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

책임지다 (To Take Responsibility for Something) – Often used in moral or legal contexts.

 

📌 Example Usage

"내가 이 결정에 대해 책임질게."

"I will take responsibility for this decision."

 

11. 채용 (Recruitment, Hiring, Employment)

Employment, recruitment, hiring of new employees.

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리 회사는 신입 사원을 채용 중이에요."

"Our company is currently hiring new employees."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

고용 (Employment, Hiring by a Company) – A more general term for employment, often used in official documents.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 회사는 많은 직원을 고용했다."

"That company hired many employees."

 

12. 요즘 같은 세상 (In Times Like These, In This Day and Age)

Used to describe the current era or societal situation.

 

📌 Example Usage

"요즘 같은 세상에 정직한 사람이 많을까?"

"Are there many honest people in times like these?"

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

요즘 시대 (These Times, The Present Era) – More neutral and commonly used in conversation.

 

📌 Example Usage

"요즘 시대에는 인터넷이 필수야."

"In this era, the internet is essential."

 

13. 도통 (Not at All, Completely Not, Entirely)

A strong negative emphasis meaning 'not at all' or 'completely not.'

Often used with negative verbs.

 

📌 Example Usage

"도통 이해가 안 돼."

"I don’t understand at all."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

전혀 (Not at All, Absolutely Not) – More formal and commonly used in writing.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람을 전혀 모릅니다."

"I don’t know that person at all."

 

14. 관심이 없다 / 관심이 있다 (To Have No Interest / To Have Interest in Something)

These phrases indicate whether someone has an interest in a topic or subject.

 

📌 Example Usage

"나는 스포츠에 관심이 없어."

"I have no interest in sports."

 

"그는 역사에 관심이 많아."

"He has a lot of interest in history."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

흥미가 없다 / 흥미가 있다 (To Have No Enthusiasm / To Have Enthusiasm) – More expressive of excitement or curiosity.

 

📌 Example Usage

"나는 요리에 흥미가 많아."

"I have a lot of enthusiasm for cooking."

 

15. 호기심이 가다 (To Become Curious, To Have One’s Curiosity Aroused)

Refers to when something piques someone's curiosity.

 

📌 Example Usage

"이 책의 내용이 흥미로워서 호기심이 갔어."

"The book's content was interesting, so I became curious."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

궁금해지다 (To Become Curious, To Wonder About Something) – A more natural way of saying that one is curious.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 사람의 정체가 궁금해졌어."

"I became curious about that person’s identity."

 

🎥 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.

 

이종수: "나한테 부탁할 게 있다고?"

"Are you saying you have something to ask me?"

 

🔍 Analysis

- "나한테": "나 (I, me)" + "한테 (to, towards)" → "나한테" (to me).

- "부탁할 게": "부탁하다 (to ask for a favor)" + future tense "-할" + noun-forming suffix "게 (thing to do)".

- "있다고?": "있다 (to exist, to have)" + indirect quotation "-다고" + question marker "?".

 

📌 Example Usage

"너 나한테 부탁할 거 있어?"

"Do you have a favor to ask me?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"너 나한테 무슨 부탁할 게 있다는 거야?"

"Are you saying you have something to ask me?"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"있다고?" → "읻따고?" (spoken smoothly with natural intonation).

 

이동진: "아"

"Oh."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "아": An interjection when feeling flustered or realizing something.

 

이종수: "응, 이 사람이 누군가?"

"Yeah, who is this person?"

 

🔍 Analysis

- "응": A positive response, equivalent to "yeah" or "okay."

- "이 사람이": "이 (this)" + "사람 (person)" + subject marker “-이”

- "누군가?": "누구 (who)" + "-인가?" (formal question marker).

• "누구인가" → "누군가" (contracted form).

 

📌 Example Usage

"응, 이 사람이 누구야?"

"Yeah, who is this person?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"응, 이 사람이 누구냐?"

"Yeah, who is this?"

 

이동진: "세상 일이 숫자로 딱 답 나오지 않을 거라는 회장님의 말씀, 뼈저리게 느꼈습니다."

"I deeply realized the chairman's words that not everything in life has a clear numerical answer."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "세상 일이": "세상 (world, life)" + "일 (things, matters)" + "-이" (topic marker).

- "숫자로 딱 답 나오지 않을 거라는": "숫자 (number)" + "로 (by means of)" + "딱 (exactly)" + "답 (answer)" + "나오다 (to come out)" + negative "-지 않다" + indirect quotation "-을 거라는" (will not be).

• "답이 나오다" → “답 나오다” (omission) → "답 나오지 않다" → "답 나오지 않을 거라는"

- "회장님의 말씀": "회장님 (chairman)" + "의 (possessive)" + "말씀 (words, statement)."

- "뼈저리게 느꼈습니다": "뼈저리다 (to feel deeply, painfully)" + "-게 (adverbial form)" + "느끼다 (to feel)" → "느꼈다" (past tense) + polite ending "-습니다."

• "뼈저리게 느끼다" → "뼈저리게 느꼈다" → "뼈저리게 느꼈습니다"

 

📌 Example Usage

"세상 일이 단순한 숫자로 해결되지 않는다는 걸 뼈저리게 느꼈어요."

"I deeply realized that life isn't something that can be solved with simple numbers."

 

☀️ Meaning

"세상의 일이 숫자로 딱 답이 나오는 게 아니라는 걸 뼈저리게 깨달았어요."

"I painfully realized that not everything has a clear numerical answer."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"뼈저리게 느꼈습니다" → "뼈저리게 느껻씀니다"

 

이동진: "저 때문에 의도치 않게 피해를 본 분입니다."

"This is someone who was unintentionally harmed because of me."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "저 때문에": "저 (I, me)" + "때문에 (because of)."

- "의도치 않게": "의도하다 (to intend)" + negative "-지 않다" + adverbial "-게" (without intending to).

• "의도하다" → negative "의도하지 않다" → contracted "의도치 않다" → adverbial "의도치 않게"

- "피해를 본": "피해 (damage, harm)" + object marker "-를" + "보다 (to suffer, experience)" + attributive "-본" (past tense).

- "분입니다": "분 (person, honorific)" + polite ending "-입니다."

 

📌 Example Usage

"저 때문에 의도치 않게 피해를 드린 분입니다."

"This is someone who was unintentionally harmed because of me."

 

☀️ Meaning

"제 잘못으로 인해 원하지 않게 피해를 입으신 분입니다."

"This is someone who suffered unintended harm because of my mistake."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"의도치 않게" → "의도치 안케" (naturally pronounced).

 

이종수: "뭐 일을 하다 보면 그럴 수도 있지."

"Well, mistakes can happen when working."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "뭐": An exclamation, equivalent to "well" or "you know."

- "일을 하다 보면": "일 (work, task)" + object marker "-을" + "하다 (to do)" + "보다 (to see, experience)" + conditional "-면" (if).

- "그럴 수도 있지": "그렇다 (to be like that)" + possibility expression "-을 수도 있다" (can happen).

 

📌 Example Usage

"뭐, 살다 보면 그런 일도 있을 수 있지."

"Well, things like that can happen in life."

 

☀️ Meaning

"뭐, 일하다 보면 실수할 수도 있는 거지."

"Well, mistakes can happen when working."

 

이종수: "근데 그럴 때마다 이렇게 구제하러 돌아다닐 건가?"

"But are you going to go around solving it every time?"

 

🔍 Analysis

- "근데": "그런데 (but, however)" in colloquial form.

- "그럴 때마다": "그렇다 (to be like that)" + nominal suffix "-ㄹ" + "때 (time)" + "-마다 (every time)."

- "이렇게": "이러하다 (to be like this)" + adverbial "-하게" → "이러하게" → "이렇게" (contracted form).

- "구제하러": "구제하다 (to save, to rescue)" + purpose suffix "-러" (in order to).

- "돌아다닐 건가?": "돌아다니다 (to wander around, go around)" + future tense "-ㄹ 것" + question suffix "-인가?".

• "돌아다니다" → "돌아다닐 것이다" → "돌아다닐 것인가" → "돌아다닐 건가" (contracted form).

 

📌 Example Usage

"근데 그럴 때마다 네가 직접 해결하러 다닐 거야?"

"But are you going to go around solving it every time?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"근데 매번 이렇게 구제하러 다닐 거야?"

"Are you going to keep running around helping people every time?"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"구제하러 돌아다닐 건가?" → "구제하러 도라다닐 건가?" (natural pronunciation).

이동진: "카지노에서 작은 일이라도 시켜 주시면 감사하겠습니다."

"I’d be grateful if you could give him even a small job at the casino."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "카지노에서": "카지노 (casino)" + location marker "-에서 (at, in)."

- "작은 일이라도": "작다 (small)" + adjective form "-은" + "일 (work, task)" + emphasis "-이라도 (at least, even if small)."

- "시켜 주시면": "시키다 (to make someone do, to assign)" + "-어 주다 (to do for someone’s benefit)" + honorific "-시면 (if you would)."

• "시키다" → "시켜 주다" → "시켜 주시다" → "시켜 주시면"

- "감사하겠습니다": "감사하다 (to be grateful)" + humble future tense "-겠습니다."

 

📌 Example Usage

"식당에서 작은 일이라도 시켜 주시면 감사하겠습니다."

"I’d be grateful if you could give me even a small job at the restaurant."

 

☀️ Meaning

"카지노에서 어떤 일이라도 맡겨 주시면 감사하겠습니다."

"I’d be grateful if you could assign him any work at the casino."

 

이종수: "음 그래, 자네가 보증하는 사람이라면 내 적당한 곳에 채용을 하지."

"Hmm, well, if it’s someone you vouch for, I’ll find an appropriate position for them."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "음": An interjection used when thinking or considering.

- "그래": "그렇다 (to be like that)" in a casual tone.

- "자네가": "자네 (you, polite but old-fashioned)" + subject marker "-가."

- "보증하는 사람이라면": "보증하다 (to guarantee)" + present participle "-는" + "사람 (person)" + conditional "-이라면 (if)."

- "내 적당한 곳에": "내 (I, my)" + "적당하다 (to be suitable)" + noun form "-한" + "곳 (place)" + location marker "-에 (to, in)."

- "채용을 하지": "채용하다 (to hire)" + object marker "-을" + affirmative ending "-하지" (casual tone).

 

📌 Example Usage

"네가 믿을 만한 사람이라면 내 가게에서 채용하지."

"If it’s someone you vouch for, I’ll hire her at my shop."

 

☀️ Meaning

"네가 신뢰하는 사람이라면 내가 적당한 곳에 채용하겠어."

"If it’s someone you trust, I’ll find an appropriate position for him."

 

이동진: "감사합니다."

"Thank you."

 

🔍 Analysis

-  “감사합니다”: “감사하다 (to be grateful)” + polite formal ending “-ㅂ니다.”

 

📌 Example Usage

“도와주셔서 감사합니다.”

“Thank you for your help.”

 

☀️ Meaning

“고맙습니다.”

“Thank you.”

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

“감사합니다” → “감사함니다”

 

이종수: “요즘 같은 세상, 자기 일 아니면 도통 관심이 없잖아. 남이야 죽든 말든.”

“In today’s world, people don’t care unless it’s about them. They don’t care whether others live or die."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "요즘 같은 세상": "요즘 (these days)" + "같다 (to be like)" + noun form "-은" + "세상 (world, society)."

- "자기 일 아니면": "자기 (one’s own)" + "일 (work, matters)" + negation "아니면 (if not)."

- "도통 관심이 없잖아": "도통 (at all, completely)" + "관심 (interest)" + subject marker "-이" + negation "-없다 (to not have)" + rhetorical "-잖아 (isn’t it?)."

- "남이야 죽든 말든": "남 (others, other people)" + topic marker "-이야" (casual emphasis) + "죽다 (to die)" + "-든 말든 (whether or not)."

 

📌 Example Usage

"요즘 같은 세상, 남 일이면 신경도 안 쓰잖아."

"In today’s world, people don’t care unless it’s about them."

 

☀️ Meaning

"요즘은 자기 일이 아니면 아예 관심도 없잖아. 남이 어떻게 되든 신경 안 쓰고."

"People don’t care unless it’s their own problem. They don’t care whether others live or die."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"도통 관심이 없잖아" → "도통 관심이 업짜나" (natural pronunciation).

 

이종수: "근데 자넨 다른 사람을 살리려 한단 말이야."

"But you’re making an effort to help others."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "근데": "그런데 (but, however)" in a casual tone.

- "자넨": "자네 (you, polite)" + topic marker "-는" → "자넨" (contracted form).

- "다른 사람을": "다른 (other)" + "사람 (person)" + object marker "-을."

- "살리려 한단 말이야": "살리다 (to save, to help)" + "-려고 하다 (intend to, try to)" + indirect quotation "-한단 말이야" (are you saying…?).

• "살리려고 한다는 말이다" → "살리려 한다는 말이다" (contracted) → "살리려 한단 말이다" (contracted) → "살리려 한단 말이야" (emphasizing one’s intent or observation).

 

📌 Example Usage

"그런데 넌 남을 위해서 도와주려고 하네?"

"But you’re trying to help others?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"그런데 넌 다른 사람을 위해서 애쓰는구나."

"But you’re making an effort to help others."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"살리려 한단 말이야" → "살리려 한단 마리야" (natural pronunciation).

 

이종수: "참 호기심이 가는 친구야. 하하"

"You’re a really interesting friend. Haha."

 

🔍 Analysis

- "참": "참 (really, truly)."

- "호기심이 가는": "호기심 (curiosity)" + subject marker "-이" + "가다 (to go, to be drawn to)" + present participle "-는."

- "친구야": "친구 (friend)" + casual suffix "-야" (friendly tone).

- "하하": Laughter sound, equivalent to "haha" in English.

 

📌 Example Usage

"너 참 흥미로운 친구야."

"You’re an exciting friend."

 

☀️ Meaning

"너 정말 궁금증이 생기는 사람이야."

"You’re someone who sparks curiosity."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"호기심이 가는 친구야" → "호기시미 가는 친구야" (natural pronunciation with liaison).

The Witch (2025)

 

🎥 "The Witch" Shorts: Wrap-up

This short video from "The Witch" offers a compelling glimpse into the moral complexities and interpersonal dynamics that drive the drama. Through the interactions between Lee Dong-jin and Lee Jong-soo, viewers are invited to reflect on loyalty, redemption, and the personal costs of societal prejudice.

In this scene, Lee Jong-soo questions Lee Dong-jin about his intentions, highlighting the unexpected consequences of his actions. Lee Dong-jin acknowledges the impact of his decisions, expressing a desire to make amends for the unintentional harm caused to others. Jong-soo's response reveals a pragmatic view of the world, where self-interest often prevails, yet he is intrigued by Dong-jin's willingness to help others.

This exchange encapsulates the series' essence, providing entertainment and thoughtful commentary on human nature within the context of misunderstanding and fear. The dialogue emphasizes the struggle between personal responsibility and societal indifference, making it a poignant moment in the narrative.