10 Common Korean Words You Hear in K-Dramas (With English Meaning & Usage)

Ever found yourself watching a Korean drama and wondering, "What does that word mean?" You're not alone! K-dramas are full of repeated expressions and words that are easy to pick up—and super useful for beginners. Here are 10 common Korean words and phrases you’ve probably already heard in your favorite dramas, along with their meanings and when to use them.

1. 오빠 (oppa) – Older Brother / Boyfriend

Used by females to address an older male—can be a brother, a boyfriend, or even a crush. You’ll hear this word constantly in romantic dramas!

2. 아이고 (aigo) – Oh no / Oh dear

A classic Korean expression of frustration, pain, or exhaustion. Often used by older characters.

3. 괜찮아 (gwaenchana) – It’s okay / I’m fine

Casual form of “괜찮아요”. Used when someone is okay or trying to comfort someone. You’ll hear this a lot in emotional scenes.

4. 대박 (daebak) – Awesome / Unbelievable

Slang for something amazing or shocking. “대박!” = “No way! That’s crazy!”

5. 사랑해 (saranghae) – I love you

The most important word in any romance drama! Note: it’s the informal version. The formal is “사랑합니다”.

6. 진짜? (jinjja?) – Really?

Used to show surprise or disbelief. Equivalent to “Really?” or “Are you serious?” in English.

7. 왜? (wae?) – Why?

Short, punchy, and often shouted in dramatic scenes. “왜!!!” = “WHY!!!”

8. 안돼! (andwae!) – No! / Don’t do it!

Very common in emotional or action scenes. A strong way to say “No!” or “Don’t!”

9. 미안해 (mianhae) – I’m sorry

Casual way to apologize. Often said with tears in the rain. Formal version is “미안합니다” or “죄송합니다”.

10. 뭐? (mwo?) – What?

Used when surprised, confused, or angry. You’ll hear this in almost every episode of any K-drama!

Bonus: Expression Combo in Real Scenes

Let’s break down a sentence you might hear in a K-drama:

오빠, 진짜 괜찮아? 안돼! 가지 마!
(Oppa, really… are you okay? No! Don’t go!)

This line combines 4 expressions above. Isn’t it cool how much you can already understand?

Why Learning from K-Dramas Works

Real-life context makes it easier to remember.
Repeated exposure reinforces pronunciation.
Emotional storytelling helps build word associations.

Tip: Pause your favorite drama and write down phrases you hear often. Repeat them aloud and try using them in real situations.

Next Up: Basic Korean Sentences for Everyday Use

In our next lesson, we’ll show you how to build full sentences using the words you just learned.

Stay tuned and keep learning Korean with fun content like this!