Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite K-Drama (케이 드라마) or trying to improve your Korean listening skills, learning essential Korean drama-related vocabulary and expressions will make your viewing experience way more enjoyable!
In this post, you’ll learn 100+ useful K-Drama words and phrases, including character types, relationship terms, genres, emotional expressions, and behind-the-scenes vocabulary.
🎭 K-Drama Character Vocabulary
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 주인공 | ju-in-gong | Main character |
| 남자 주인공 | nam-ja ju-in-gong | Male lead |
| 여자 주인공 | yeo-ja ju-in-gong | Female lead |
| 악역 | ak-yeok | Villain |
| 조연 | jo-yeon | Supporting role |
| 삼각관계 | sam-gak-gwan-gye | Love triangle |
| 첫사랑 | cheot-sa-rang | First love |
| 라이벌 | ra-i-beol | Rival |
| 연인 | yeon-in | Lover/partner |
| 친구 | chin-gu | Friend |
| 가족 | ga-jok | Family |
| 직장 동료 | jik-jang dong-ryo | Work colleague |
🎬 K-Drama Production Vocabulary
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 드라마 | deu-ra-ma | Drama |
| 에피소드 | e-pi-so-deu | Episode |
| 시즌 | si-jeun | Season |
| 장면 | jang-myeon | Scene |
| 대본 | dae-bon | Script |
| 배우 | bae-u | Actor/actress |
| 감독 | gam-dok | Director |
| 작가 | jak-ga | Writer |
| 촬영 | chwal-yeong | Filming |
| 방송 | bang-song | Broadcast |
| 예고편 | ye-go-pyeon | Trailer/preview |
📺 Popular K-Drama Genres in Korean
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 로맨스 | ro-maen-seu | Romance |
| 멜로 | mel-lo | Melodrama |
| 코미디 | ko-mi-di | Comedy |
| 범죄 | beom-jwe | Crime |
| 스릴러 | seu-ril-leo | Thriller |
| 판타지 | pan-ta-ji | Fantasy |
| 역사 / 사극 | yeok-sa / sa-geuk | Historical drama |
| 의료 드라마 | ui-ryo deu-ra-ma | Medical drama |
| 법정 드라마 | beop-jeong deu-ra-ma | Legal drama |
| 가족 드라마 | ga-jok deu-ra-ma | Family drama |
🗣️ Essential K-Drama Expressions & Quotes
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 사랑해요 | sa-rang-hae-yo | I love you |
| 보고 싶어 | bo-go si-peo | I miss you |
| 괜찮아요? | gwaen-chan-a-yo? | Are you okay? |
| 왜 그래요? | wae geu-rae-yo? | What’s wrong? |
| 믿을 수 없어 | mi-deul su eop-seo | I can’t believe it |
| 가지 마 | ga-ji ma | Don’t go |
| 도와줘요 | do-wa-jwo-yo | Help me |
| 무슨 일이야? | mu-seun il-i-ya? | What happened? |
| 내가 지켜줄게 | nae-ga ji-kyeo-jul-ge | I’ll protect you |
| 우리 헤어지자 | u-ri he-eo-ji-ja | Let’s break up |
😭 K-Drama Emotional Vocabulary
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 눈물 | nun-mul | Tears |
| 사랑 | sa-rang | Love |
| 질투 | jil-tu | Jealousy |
| 배신 | bae-shin | Betrayal |
| 고백 | go-baek | Confession |
| 이별 | i-byeol | Breakup |
| 운명 | un-myeong | Fate |
| 감정 | gam-jeong | Emotion |
| 용서 | yong-seo | Forgiveness |
| 오해 | o-hae | Misunderstanding |
🧠 K-Drama Viewer Slang & Terms
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 몰아보기 | mol-a-bo-gi | Binge-watch |
| 정주행 | jeong-ju-haeng | Watching from the beginning |
| 띵작 | tting-jak | Masterpiece drama |
| 꿀잼 | kkul-jaem | Super fun |
| 노잼 | no-jaem | Not fun |
| 여주 | yeo-ju | Female lead (slang) |
| 남주 | nam-ju | Male lead (slang) |
| 케미 | ke-mi | Chemistry (between characters) |
| 설렘 | seol-lem | Heart-fluttering moment |
| 신파 | shin-pa | Overly dramatic, soap-opera style |
📝 Practice Time!
Let’s test your K-drama vocabulary!
1️⃣ What’s the Korean word for “main character”?
2️⃣ How do you say “episode” in Korean?
3️⃣ What is the meaning of “몰아보기”?
Comment your answers below 👇
📚 Want to Learn More?
✔️ K-Pop in Korean
✔️ Plastic Surgery Vocabulary & Phrases
✔️ Car Repair Shop Vocabulary & Phrases
Do you need personalized Korean lessons from a certified Korean tutor? 🎓 Click here to book a session! 🚀
💙 Support My Work
If you found this post helpful, consider supporting me!
Your donation helps me create more Korean learning content and improve this website.
🙏 Thank you for your support!
Every donation goes directly toward improving my website and creating high-quality Korean language content. I truly appreciate your generosity!