"The Tale of Lady Ok" Shorts #1: Iconic Lines & Key Expressions to Speak Korean Like a Native

🎥 "The Tale of Lady Ok": Introduction

Historical dramas in Korean television always offer a unique charm. With their elaborate costumes, refined speech, and the joys and sorrows of characters living in that era, they leave a deep impression on viewers.

“옥씨부인” (The Tale of Lady Ok) is one such drama. The protagonist, Lady Ok, is a noblewoman of servant origins—intelligent yet warm-hearted. Her words carry deep affection and humor even in her exchanges with her servants.

The characters surrounding her—Makshim, Ggeut-dong, and Cha Mi-ryeong—each add their own personality to the story, enriching the drama while depicting the Joseon era's delicate social structures and relationships.

Today's featured scene captures a heartwarming moment between Lady Ok and her servants. After receiving some spending money from Lady Ok, Makshim goes out for a drink and returns with a small gift, leading to a lively and playful exchange.

Through this lighthearted conversation, viewers can experience unique Korean expressions and the warmth of Korean culture. This short scene is designed to help Korean language learners naturally absorb the distinct linguistic style of historical dramas.

 

🎥 "The Tale of Lady Ok": Short Video

[Source] YouTube, @1minute_drama

 

🎥 "The Tale of Lady Ok" Shorts: Meet the Characters

- 옥씨부인 (Okssi Buin, played by Lim Ji-yeon)

The intelligent yet warm-hearted protagonist who treats her servants like family, sharing a deep bond with them.

- 막심 (Maksim, played by Kim Jae-hwa)

A cheerful and good-natured servant with a warm heart, always thoughtful enough to prepare small gifts for his mistress.

- 끝동 (Kkeut-dong, played by Hong Jin-ki)

A lovable character who often appears drunk, bringing a lively and lighthearted energy to the scene.

- 차미령 (Cha Mi-ryeong, played by Yeonwoo)

A supporting character in Lady Ok’s life adds humor and tension to the drama.

 

🎥 "The Tale of Lady Ok" Shorts: Dialogue

막심: “마님, 고마워유.”

Maksim: "Madam, thank you."

옥씨부인: “맛있는 거 사먹고 재밌게 놀다 와, 막심아.”

Lady Ok: "Go eat something delicious and have fun, Maksim."

막심: “댕겨올겨유”

Maksim: "I'll be back."

옥씨부인: “어서와, 재밌었어?”

Lady Ok: "Welcome back! Did you have fun?"

옥씨부인: “아이고, 아이고, 아이고, 아이고”

Lady Ok: "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear."

끝동: “끝동이 등장!”

Kkeut-dong: "Kkeut-dong has arrived!"

끝동: “아휴 마님들, 우덜 기다리신 거여유?”

Kkeut-dong: "Phew, madams, were you waiting for us?"

옥씨부인: “아이고, 우리 끝동이 취했네.”

Lady Ok: "Oh my, our Kkeut-dong is drunk."

끝동: “아휴, 이짝이 더 취한 겨.”

Kkeut-dong: "Phew, this one is even more drunk."

끝동: “도끼 아재를 을매나 찾던지 아주 그냥 우리 도끼, 우리 도끼.”

Kkeut-dong: "He was looking for Dokki Uncle so much, just going on and on about 'our Dokki, our Dokki.'"

막심: “아유, 시끄러워, 쯧.”

Maksim: "Ugh, so noisy. Tsk."

막심: “자, 이건 우리 마님들 선물이에유.”

Maksim: "Here, this is a gift for our madams."

옥씨부인: “아~”

Lady Ok: "Oh~"

막심: “두 분이 자매처럼 나란히 한 개씩들 혀유.”

Maksim: "You two take one each, like sisters."

막심: “자, 요건 우리 큰 마님, 맨날 우리 백이하고 붙어 다녔는디.”

Maksim: "Now, this is for our eldest madam, who was always with Baek."

막심: “두 분이 나란히 계신 걸 보니께 어찌나 마음이 놓이는지.”

Maksim: "Seeing you two together like this puts my mind at ease."

옥씨부인: “아, 막심아 놀고먹고 오라고 준 돈을 이거 사느라 다 쓴 거야?"

Lady Ok: "Oh, Maksim, did you spend all the money I gave you for fun on this?"

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. 마님 (Madam, Noblewoman)

This is a historical term for the wife of a nobleman or a respected lady. In modern contexts, it can be used humorously or playfully to address a woman in a dignified or exaggerated manner.

 

📌 Example Usage

"마님, 어디로 모실까요?"

"Madam, where shall I escort you?"

 

"우리 집 마님은 쇼핑을 너무 좋아해."

"My lady at home loves shopping too much."

 

🎨 Expressions

아가씨 (Young Lady, Miss)

This term traditionally refers to an unmarried young woman. It can be used respectfully, but sometimes it feels outdated or overly formal in modern contexts. It is also used to address female employees in service industries.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 아가씨는 정말 예의가 바르다."

"That young lady is very polite."

 

"아가씨, 여기 주문 좀 받을 수 있을까요?"

"Miss, could you take my order here?"

 

2. 취하다 / 취했다 (Get Drunk / Be Drunk)

This verb means to get drunk or intoxicated. It can also mean to be deeply absorbed in something.

 

📌 Example Usage

"어제 술을 너무 많이 마셔서 취했다."

"I drank too much yesterday and got drunk."

 

"음악에 취해서 시간 가는 줄 몰랐다."

"I was so lost in the music that I lost track of time."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

알딸딸하다 (Feel Tipsy) – A casual way to say that someone is slightly drunk.

 

📌 Example Usage

"맥주 한 잔 마셨더니 알딸딸하네."

"I feel a bit tipsy after drinking a beer."

 

3. ~을 찾다 (Look For / Search For)

This phrase means to seek or search for something.

 

📌 Example Usage

"내 지갑을 찾고 있는데 못 찾겠어."

"I'm looking for my wallet but can't find it."

 

"행복을 찾기 위해 여행을 떠났다."

"I went on a journey to find happiness."

 

🎨 Expressions

구하다 (Seek, Get, Obtain) – Used when searching for something more actively or purposefully.

 

📌 Example Usage

"직장을 구하고 있어."

"I'm looking for a job."

 

4. 시끄럽다 / 시끄러워 (Noisy, Loud)

This adjective describes a loud or disruptive environment.

 

📌 Example Usage

"카페가 너무 시끄러워서 집중이 안 돼."

"The café is too noisy, so I can't focus."

 

"제발 시끄럽게 하지 마!"

"Please don't be so loud!"

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

떠들다 (Make Noise, Chatter) – Used when people talk loudly.

 

📌 Example Usage

"수업 시간에 떠들지 마."

"Don't talk loudly during class."

 

5. 자매 / 형제 / 남매 (Sisters / Brothers / Siblings of Both Genders)

These terms describe family relationships among siblings.

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리 자매는 아주 친해."

"My sister and I are very close."

 

"형제끼리 사이좋게 지내야지."

"Brothers should get along well."

 

"우리 남매는 성격이 완전 반대야."

"My sibling and I have completely different personalities."

 

🎨 Expressions

형제자매 (Brothers and Sisters Together) – Used to refer to siblings collectively.

 

📌 Example Usage

"형제자매가 다 모였다."

"All the siblings have gathered together."

 

6. 붙어 다니다 (Stick Together, Always Be Together)

This means to go around with someone closely or always be together.

 

📌 Example Usage

"그 둘은 맨날 붙어 다녀."

"Those two are always together."

 

"어릴 때부터 단짝 친구랑 붙어 다녔다."

"Since childhood, I have always stuck with my best friend."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

늘 함께하다 (Always Be Together) – A more formal expression.

 

📌 Example Usage

"가족과 늘 함께하고 싶다."

"I want to always be with my family."

 

7. 나란히 계시다 (Be Side by Side, Stand Together)

This polite phrase refers to people standing or sitting side by side.

 

📌 Example Usage

"두 분이 나란히 계시는 모습이 보기 좋아요."

"You two standing side by side look nice together."

 

"할아버지와 할머니는 사진 속에서 나란히 계신다."

"My grandfather and grandmother are side by side in the photo."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

함께 계시다 (Be Together, Stay Together Respectfully) – Used in respectful speech.

 

📌 Example Usage

"부모님이 함께 계셔서 든든하다."

"I feel reassured because my parents are together."

 

8. 마음이 놓이다 (Feel Relieved)

This means to feel reassured or relaxed after being worried about something.

 

📌 Example Usage

"시험이 끝나니 마음이 놓인다."

"I feel relieved now that the exam is over."

 

"자네가 무사히 도착했다니 마음이 놓이네."

"I'm relieved to hear that you arrived safely."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

안심하다 (Feel at Ease, Be Relieved) – A more formal term.

 

📌 Example Usage

"무사히 끝나서 안심했어."

"I was relieved that it ended safely."

 

9. 놀고먹다 (Do Nothing and Live Comfortably)

This phrase describes someone living an easy life without working. It can be used humorously or negatively.

 

📌 Example Usage

"이번 주말엔 그냥 놀고먹을 거야!"

"I'm just going to relax and do nothing this weekend!"

 

"계속 놀고먹을 순 없으니 취직해야지."

"I can't just keep doing nothing; I need to get a job."

 

🌀 Similar Expressions

빈둥거리다 (Laze Around, Be Idle) – Used when someone is doing nothing productive.

 

📌 Example Usage

"방학 내내 빈둥거리고만 싶다."

"I just want to laze around all vacation."

🎥 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.

 

막심: "마님, 고마워유."

- "마님": "마님 (madam, lady of the house)" → a term used in historical dramas to address a noble lady.

- "고마워유": "고맙다 (to be thankful)" + non-standard dialect "-어유" (Chungcheong dialect, a respectful yet warm expression).

 

📌 Example Usage

"선생님, 고마워유."

"Teacher, thank you."

 

☀️ Meaning

"마님, 감사합니다."

"Madam, thank you."

 

옥씨부인: "맛있는 거 사먹고 재밌게 놀다 와, 막심아."

- "맛있는 거": "맛있다 (to be delicious)" + adjective form "-는" + "거 (것, thing)" → "something delicious."

- "사먹고": "사다 (to buy)" + "먹다 (to eat)" → "사먹다 (to buy and eat)" + connective "-고" (and).

- "재밌게": "재미있다 (to be fun)" + adverbial "-게."

- "놀다 와": "놀다 (to play, to have fun)" + "오다 (to come back)" → "놀다 와 (go have fun and return)."

• “놀다 오다” + “-아” → “놀다 와.”

• “-아”: sentence-ending particle for commands or suggestions.

- "막심아": "막심 (Maksim, name)" + familiar vocative suffix "-아."

 

📌 Example Usage

"맛있는 거 사먹고 신나게 놀다 와."

"Buy something delicious and have a blast."

 

☀️ Meaning

"맛있는 걸 사먹고 재밌게 보내고 와, 막심아."

"Buy yourself something tasty and have fun, Maksim."

 

막심: "댕겨올겨유."

- "댕겨올겨유": A Chungcheong dialect variation of "다녀오다 (to go and come back)."

• "댕기다 (to go and return)" + "오다 (to come)" → "댕겨오다."

• "-겨유": A dialectal sentence ending in Chungcheong, giving a warm and friendly nuance.

 

📌 Example Usage

"시장에 댕겨올겨유."

"I'll go to the market and be back."

 

☀️ Meaning

"다녀올게요."

"I'll be back soon."

 

옥씨부인: "어서와, 재밌었어?"

- "어서 와": "어서 (quickly, promptly)" + "오다 (to come)" → "어서 오다" (welcome greeting)

• “어서 오다” + “-아” → “어서 와”

• “-아”: sentence-ending particle used for imperative or invitational sentences

- "재밌었어?": "재미있다 (to be fun)" + past tense "-었" + question form "-어?" (casual tone)

• “재미있다” → “재미있었다” → “재밌었다” (contraction) → “재밌었어”

 

📌 Example Usage

"어서와, 여행 재밌었어?"

"Welcome back, was your trip fun?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"잘 다녀왔어? 즐거웠어?"

"Did you have a good time?"

 

옥씨부인: "아이고, 아이고, 아이고, 아이고"

- "아이고": exclamation used to express surprise, embarrassment, worry, sighs, or regret

 

📌 Example Usage

"아이고, 이게 무슨 일이래?"

"Oh dear, what happened?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"아이고, 어쩌면 좋아."

"Oh my, what should I do?"

 

끝동: "끝동이 등장!"

- "끝동이": "끝동 (Kkeut-dong, name)" + subject marker "-이"

- "등장": noun form of "등장하다 (to appear, to make an entrance)"

 

📌 Example Usage

"주인공이 등장!"

"The protagonist has arrived!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"끝동이 나타났어!"

"Kkeut-dong has appeared!"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"끝동이 등장" → "끝똥이 등장" (tense consonant pronunciation occurs)

 

끝동: "아휴 마님들, 우덜 기다리신 거여유?"

- "아휴": An exclamation expressing exhaustion or frustration.

- "마님들": "마님 (noblewoman, lady)" + plural marker "-들."

- "우덜": A dialectal variation of "우리 (we, us)."

- "기다리신 거여유?": "기다리다 (to wait)" + honorific suffix "-시-" + past tense "-ㄴ" + noun form "-거" + dialectal interrogative ending "-여유?" (Standard Korean: "기다리신 거예요?").

• “기다리다” → “기다리시다” → “기다리신 거” → “기다리신 거여유”

• “기다리다” → “기다리시다” → “기다리신 거” → “기다리신 거예요”

 

📌 Example Usage

"마님들, 우리 기다리셨나요?"

"Madams, were you waiting for us?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"마님들, 우리를 기다리고 계셨던 거예요?"

"Madams, were you waiting for us?"

 

옥씨부인: "아이고, 우리 끝동이 취했네."

- "아이고": An exclamation expressing surprise, concern, or pity.

- "우리 끝동이": "우리 (our, my dear)" + "끝동이 (Kkeut-dong, affectionate nickname)."

- "취했네": "취하다 (to be drunk)" + past tense "-었" + exclamatory ending "-네."

• “취하다” → “취했다” → “취했네”

 

📌 Example Usage

"아이고, 너 많이 취했네."

"Oh dear, you're really drunk."

 

☀️ Meaning

"끝동이가 술에 취했구나."

"Our Kkeut-dong is drunk."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"취했네" → "취핸네" (pronunciation shift due to liaison).

 

끝동: "아휴, 이짝이 더 취한 겨."

- "아휴": An exclamation expressing fatigue or annoyance.

- "이짝이": A dialectal variation of "이쪽이 (this side, this person)."

- "더 취한 겨": "더 (more)" + "취하다 (to be drunk)" + adjective form "-ㄴ" + dialectal sentence-ending "-겨" (Standard Korean: "더 취한 거야").

 

📌 Example Usage

"이쪽이 더 취했네."

"This one is more drunk."

 

☀️ Meaning

"여기가 더 취했네."

"This side is more drunk."

 

끝동: "도끼 아재를 을매나 찾던지 아주 그냥 우리 도끼, 우리 도끼."

- "도끼 아재": "도끼 (Dokki)" + "아재 (uncle, older man, casual title)."

- "을매나 찾던지": "얼마나 (how much)" in dialect "을매나" + "찾다 (to look for)" + recollective "-던지" (standard form: "얼마나 찾든지").

- "아주 그냥": Emphasizing expression, similar to "really."

- "우리 도끼, 우리 도끼": "우리 (my dear, affectionate form)" + "도끼 (Dokki, referring to someone metaphorically)."

 

📌 Example Usage

"얼마나 찾았던지 아주 그냥 내 친구, 내 친구!"

"I was looking for him so much, just my dear friend, my dear friend!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"도끼 아재를 얼마나 찾았는지 몰라요, 정말 우리 도끼야."

"I was looking for Uncle Dokki so much, my dear Dokki."

 

막심: "아유, 시끄러워, 쯧."

- "아유": An exclamation expressing fatigue, annoyance, or irritation.

- "시끄러워": "시끄럽다 (to be noisy)" + informal ending "-어."

- "쯧": Tsk sound, expressing discontent.

 

📌 Example Usage

"아유, 조용히 좀 해!"

"Ugh, be quiet!"

 

☀️ Meaning

"시끄러워서 짜증 나네."

"So noisy, it's annoying."

 

막심: "자, 이건 우리 마님들 선물이에유."

- "자": An exclamation used to draw attention.

- "이건": "이것 (this thing)" + topic marker "-은."

• “이것은” → “이건” (contraction).

- "우리 마님들": "우리 (our, polite form)" + "마님들 (madams, noblewomen, plural)."

- "선물이에유": "선물 (gift, present)" + dialect ending "-이에유" (standard form: "선물이에요").

 

📌 Example Usage

"자, 이건 너한테 주는 선물이야."

"Here, this is a gift for you."

 

☀️ Meaning

"마님들께 드리는 선물입니다."

"This is a gift for our madams."

 

옥씨부인: "아~"

- "아~": Interjections that express admiration or surprise.

 

📌 Example Usage

"A: 선물 가져왔어요!"

"B: 아~ 정말요?"

"A: I brought a gift!"

"B: Ah~ really?"

 

막심: "두 분이 자매처럼 나란히 한 개씩들 혀유."

- "두 분이": "두 (two)" + "분 (honorific form of 'people')" + subject marker "-이."

- "자매처럼": "자매 (sisters)" + comparison particle "-처럼 (like, as if)."

- "나란히": "나란히 (side by side, next to each other)."

- "한 개씩들": "한 개 (one item, one piece)" + distributive particle "-씩 (each, one per person)" + colloquial emphasis "들 (plural or emphasis in dialect)."

- "혀유": "하다 (to do, dialectal imperative form '혀유')."

• “하다” → “해요” (Standard Korean) → “허유” (Dialect)

 

📌 Example Usage

"우리 같이 자매처럼 나란히 앉자."

"Let’s sit together like sisters."

 

☀️ Meaning

"두 분이 자매처럼 사이좋게 나란히 하나씩 가져가세요."

"You two should each take one, like sisters, side by side."

 

막심: "자, 요건 우리 큰 마님, 맨날 우리 백이하고 붙어 다녔는디."

- "자": "자 (here, take this, attention-calling word)."

- "요건": "이거 (this)" + topic marker "-는" → "요건 (colloquial form of 'this one is')."

- "우리 큰 마님": "우리 (our)" + "큰 마님 (a respectful title for the head lady of the house)."

- "맨날": "맨날 (always, every day, informal form of '매일')."

- "우리 백이하고": "우리 (our)" + "백이 (Baek-i, a person's name)" + associative particle "-하고 (with)."

- "붙어 다녔는디": "붙다 (to stick, to be always together)" + progressive "-어 다니다 (to go around doing something)" + past "-었" + dialectal "-는디 (background information, reminiscing tone)."

• “붙다” → “붙어 다니다” → “붙어 다녔다” → “붙어 다녔는데” → “붙어 다녔는디” (dialect)

 

🐾 Baek-i is the only daughter of Makshim, who passed away first. She was unjustly killed by a nobleman.

 

📌 Example Usage

"너 맨날 동생이랑 붙어 다녔잖아."

"You were always sticking with your little brother."

 

☀️ Meaning

"이건 우리 큰 마님 거예요. 예전엔 늘 우리 백이랑 붙어 다니셨잖아요."

"This is for our big lady. You used to always be with Baek-i."

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"붙어 다녔는디" → "부터 다년는디" (sound shift).

 

막심: "두 분이 나란히 계신 걸 보니께 어찌나 마음이 놓이는지."

- "두 분이": "두 (two)" + "분 (honorific form of 'people')" + subject marker "-이."

- "나란히": "나란히 (side by side, next to each other)."

- "계신 걸": "계시다 (honorific form of 'to be, to exist')" + noun form "-ㄴ 것" (spoken as '걸').

- "보니께": "보다 (to see)" + connective "-니까 (because, since)" → dialect form "보니께."

• “보니까” → “보니께”

- "어찌나": "어찌나 (so much, how much, emphasizing degree)."

- "마음이 놓이는지": "마음 (mind, heart)" + subject marker “이” + "놓이다 (to be relieved, to feel at ease)" + indirect ending "-는지 (expressing realization, trailing thought)."

 

📌 Example Usage

"너희 둘이 사이좋게 있는 걸 보니 마음이 놓인다."

"Seeing you two getting along puts my mind at ease."

 

☀️ Meaning

"두 분이 함께 나란히 계시는 걸 보니까 정말 마음이 놓이네요."

"Seeing you two together side by side really puts my mind at ease."

 

옥씨부인: "아, 막심아 놀고먹고 오라고 준 돈을 이거 사느라 다 쓴 거야?"

- "아": "아 (ah, expressing realization or slight frustration)."

- "막심아": "막심 (Maksim, name)" + friendly vocative suffix "-아 (used for calling someone informally)."

- "놀고먹고": "놀다 (to play, to have fun)" + "먹다 (to eat)" → "놀고먹다 (to enjoy leisure, to loaf around, colloquial expression)."

- "오라고": "오다 (to come)" + imperative "-라고 (direct quote or command)."

- "준 돈을": "주다 (to give)" + past "-ㄴ" (modifying form) + "돈 (money)" + object marker "-을."

- "이거 사느라": "이거 (this thing)" + "사다 (to buy)" + "-느라 (because of, as a result of, implying an unintended consequence)."

- "다 쓴 거야?": "다 (all, completely)" + "쓰다 (to spend, to use)" + past "-ㄴ" (modifying form) + "것" (spoken as '거') + casual question "-야?"

• “다 쓴 것이야?” → “다 쓴 거야” (abbreviation)

 

📌 Example Usage

"네가 놀러 가라고 준 돈을 다 장난감 사느라 썼어?"

"Did you spend all the money I gave you for a toy trip?"

 

☀️ Meaning

"막심, 내가 쉬라고 준 돈을 이거 사느라 전부 써버린 거야?"

"Maksim, did you spend all the money I gave you for leisure on this?"

 

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"놀고먹고" → "놀고먹꼬" (tense consonant pronunciation occurs).

The Tale of Lady Ok (2024)

🎥 "The Tale of Lady Ok" Shorts: Wrap-up

Did this scene help you naturally pick up the speech patterns of the past and the essence of Korean sentiment?

Expressions like “취했다” (got drunk), “놀고먹다” (to idle around), and “붙어 다니다” (to stick together) are not only common in historical dramas but also remain widely used in modern Korean. If you want to speak Korean more naturally, try incorporating these phrases into your conversations!

"The Tale of Lady Ok" beautifully captures the warmth between people, the hidden emotions behind laughter, and the elegance of Korean language and culture.

Do you have a favorite line from the drama? Share it in the comments!

In the next short clip analysis, we’ll introduce more fascinating Korean expressions and grammar, so stay tuned!