Smile Korean with Soyoung

Welcome to the first episode of the Smile Korean Beginner Podcast!

In this episode, we’re starting with one of the first things you’ll want to learn in Korean: how to say hello.

You’ll learn the difference between 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) and 안녕 (annyeong), when to use each one, and how Koreans actually use them in everyday conversations.

Listen at your own pace, and don’t be afraid to repeat after me!

Let’s take it one step at a time and learn Korean together.

🎧 New Beginner Korean Podcast episodes every week!

Today’s expression: ‘서두르다’ (seodureuda)

Have you ever had to rush because you were running out of time?

서두르다 means to hurry or rush when you need to do something quickly. In this episode, we’ll also take a look at 다급하다, which is used when a situation feels urgent or you’re feeling pressed for time.

I’ll share a story about traveling with friends and having to hurry to catch a bus. We’ll also talk about the Korean proverb “급할수록 돌아가라”, which means that when you’re in a hurry, it’s important to stay calm and not rush too much.

I hope this episode helps you understand not only the meaning of 서두르다, but also how Koreans use it in everyday conversations.

New Smile Korean episodes every other day.

You can slow the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x if you need a little more time to follow along.

#LearnKorean #KoreanExpression #한국어 #SmileKorean #KoreanPodcast

Today’s Coffee Chat: Chuseok(추석) in Korea

Have you ever wondered how Koreans celebrate Chuseok?

In this episode, let’s talk about Chuseok, one of Korea’s biggest traditional holidays. I’ll share a little about Chuseok traditions and explain the difference between the lunar and solar calendars.

Grab a cup of coffee and join me for a cozy chat about Korean culture and everyday life in Korea!

Whether you’re learning Korean or simply curious about Korean culture, I hope you enjoy listening.

Take your time, and feel free to slow down the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to practice your Korean listening skills.

Thanks for listening to Smile Korean Coffee Chat. ☕

#SmileKorean #LearnKorean #Chuseok #KoreanCulture

Today’s expression: 손이 크다, 발이 넓다

Have you ever made way more food than you needed? Or do you know a lot of people and often run into someone you know wherever you go?

In Korean, we use the expressions ‘손이 크다’ and ‘발이 넓다’ to describe these kinds of situations.

‘손이 크다’ can describe someone who tends to make a lot of food or is generous with money. ‘발이 넓다’ means that someone knows a lot of people or has a wide social circle.

We’ll also learn the word ‘지인’ (ji-in), which means someone you know but aren’t necessarily close friends with.

As always, I hope you enjoy listening to my stories while learning natural Korean expressions and getting a little glimpse into Korean culture.

New episodes are released regularly, and you can slow the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to listen along more comfortably.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode!

Today’s expression: “익숙하다” (ik-suk-ha-da)

Have you ever done something so many times that it started to feel natural?

In Korean, we use “익숙하다” when something feels familiar because we’ve experienced it many times or spent a lot of time with it.

We’ll also learn the difference between “익숙하다” (to be familiar with) and “능숙하다” (to be skilled at), and talk about a Korean habit that I’ve noticed I still follow even when I travel abroad — taking off my shoes indoors!

And this episode is extra special because it’s our 30th episode! 🎉

Thank you so much for listening to Smile Korean and being here with me. It honestly makes me so happy that we’ve reached 30 episodes already. I’m still getting used to making these episodes and sharing Korean with you, and I hope we can keep learning together through more everyday stories, natural Korean expressions, and Korean culture!

What’s something you’ve recently gotten used to?

Let’s learn some natural Korean expressions through everyday stories and Korean culture!

You can slow the playback down to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to practice listening.

Today’s expression: “말이 통하다” (mal-i tong-ha-da)

Have you ever met someone who just gets you? Sometimes you can understand what someone means without them having to explain much.

That’s when Koreans might say “말이 통하다.”

In this episode, I’ll share some stories about people I’ve really felt connected with — including a funny experience with my friends, and a time when I somehow managed to have a great conversation with a taxi driver in Bali using a mix of English and body language.

I’ll also share a story from when I worked on training teams and had to keep explaining something until I finally got my point across.

We’ll also talk about “고집이 있다” and “고집을 부리다,” and take a look at generation gaps in Korea and how they can sometimes make it difficult for people to understand each other.

Let’s learn some natural Korean expressions through everyday stories and Korean culture!

You can slow the playback down to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to practice listening.

Today’s expression: “마음이 놓이다” (maeum-i noh-i-da)

Have you ever worried about something and finally felt better when everything worked out?

In Korean, we use “마음이 놓이다” when something we’ve been worried about turns out okay and we can finally stop worrying.

In this episode, I’ll share some of the things I tend to worry about, a scary experience I had on a flight, and why I always like to make plans before going somewhere by myself. I’ll also share a story about a friend who helped me calm down during a bumpy flight.

We’ll also learn “진정하다”, which means to calm down, and talk a little about MBTI, something you’ll hear about quite often in Korea.

Let’s learn some natural Korean expressions through everyday stories and Korean culture!

If you’re practicing your listening, try slowing the playback down to 0.8x or 0.9x.

Today’s expression: “어울리다” (eoul-li-da)

The Korean word “어울리다” can be used in lots of different situations. We use it when people get along well, when something looks good on someone, or when two things go well together.

In this episode, I’ll share some of my own stories — from finding a makeup style that suits me, to making friends in college, and meeting new people while traveling. I’ll also talk about why I think meeting new people and getting to know them can be especially interesting when you’re traveling.

We’ll also learn “낯을 가리다”, a Korean expression for someone who feels shy or awkward around people they don’t know well.

And since “어울리다” can also mean spending time and connecting with other people, we’ll talk a little about small talk in Korea and how it can be different from what you might be used to.

Let’s learn how to use “어울리다” naturally through everyday stories and Korean culture!

You can slow down the playback to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to practice listening.

Today’s expression: “배려하다” (pae-ryeo-ha-da)

In this episode, we’re talking about “배려하다,” a Korean expression we use when we think about other people and try to make them feel comfortable.

I’ll share some everyday examples of how to use “배려하다,” along with the related word “이기적이다” (to be selfish). We’ll also talk about ‘노약자 배려석’and ‘임산부 배려석’ on Korean public transportation.

And, of course, I’ll share a couple of my own stories! One of them is about a time when strangers helped me on a scary escalator while I was traveling abroad. Looking back, I’m still grateful for their kindness and consideration.

What about you? When was the last time you were considerate of someone?

Let’s learn some natural Korean expressions through everyday stories and Korean culture!

New episodes are released regularly. You can also slow down the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to practice listening.

Today’s Coffee Chat is all about one of my favorite hobbies: knitting!

I’ll show you some of the things I’ve made and share a few stories about knitting, traveling, buying yarn, and how this hobby made me enjoy winter a little more.

Let’s have a relaxed chat in natural Korean!

New Coffee Chat episodes are released every Sunday.

If you’re practicing your listening, try slowing the episode down to 0.8x or 0.9x speed.

I hope you enjoy this episode! 💛