Smile Korean with Soyoung

Today’s expression: ‘의지하다’ (ui-ji-ha-da)

Have you ever leaned on someone or something for support when things got difficult?

In Korean, we use ‘의지하다’ when we rely on someone or something for support. It can be used when you emotionally rely on someone, or when you physically lean on something, like crutches.

In this episode, I’ll share a story about traveling around Tasmania in a campervan with a friend and how we relied on each other along the way. I’ll also talk about why I tend to do things on my own, and share a funny story about learning how to ski!

We’ll also learn the useful Korean word ‘꾸역꾸역,’ which describes pushing through something difficult and continuing even when it’s not easy.

Come listen to my stories and learn how Koreans naturally use ‘의지하다’ in everyday conversations!

New Smile Korean Expression episodes are released every other day. If you’re practicing your listening, try slowing the episode down to 0.8x or 0.9x speed.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Today’s expression: ‘신경 쓰이다’ (sin-gyeong sseu-i-da)

Have you ever had something that kept bothering you, even when you didn’t want to think about it?

In Korean, we use ‘신경 쓰이다’ when something stays on your mind, bothers you, or keeps catching your attention.

In this episode, I’ll share some personal stories about things that have been on my mind, from renewing my housing contract to getting distracted by people using their phones at the movie theater.

I’ll also talk about how I used to care a lot about what other people thought of me, and how I’ve learned to worry less about other people’s opinions and simply do what I like.

Along the way, we’ll look at the difference between ‘신경 쓰이다’ and ‘신경을 쓰다’, and learn how Koreans naturally use these expressions in everyday conversations.

Listen to my stories and learn natural Korean through real-life experiences!

New Smile Korean Expression episodes are released every other day.If you’re practicing your listening, try slowing it down to 0.8x or 0.9x speed. I hope you enjoy this episode!

Today’s expression: “마음에 들다” (ma-eum-e deul-da)

Have you ever found something that was exactly your style, or met someone you really liked?

In Korean, “마음에 들다” is a very common expression we use when something or someone is pleasing to us or matches what we like.

In this episode, we’ll learn how to use “마음에 들다” naturally through everyday examples and personal stories. We’ll also look at the related expression “마음을 먹다” and talk about 사회생활, an important part of everyday life in Korea.

Take your time, listen along, and learn natural Korean through stories and conversations.

If you’re still learning Korean, try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed and follow along at your own pace.

New Smile Korean Expression episodes are released every other day!

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

Today’s expression: ‘친해지다’ (chin-hae-jida)

Have you ever wondered how you became close with someone? In Korean, we use ‘친해지다’ when we gradually become closer to someone and develop a closer relationship.

In this episode, I’ll share some personal stories about making friends, getting close to people, and a special memory from a neighborhood stationery store when I was a kid.

We’ll also learn the difference between ‘친해지다’ and ‘친하다’, along with some useful Korean expressions like ‘선을 넘다’ and ‘밥 한번 먹자.’

We’ll also talk about what it means to become a regular customer, or ‘단골,’ at a place you visit often.

Listen to my stories and learn how Koreans naturally talk about relationships and getting closer to people!

New Smile Korean Expression episodes are released every other day.

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

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Today’s expression: “마음이 통하다(ma-eu-mi-tong-ha-da)”

Have you ever met someone who seemed to understand exactly what you were thinking, even without saying much?

In Korean, we use “마음이 통하다” when two people understand each other’s thoughts or feelings and feel like they’re on the same wavelength.

In this episode, I’ll share some stories about people I really connect with, including a funny story from when I worked at a movie theater.

We’ll also learn the word “일부러,” meaning “on purpose,” and take a look at how “마음” is used in many Korean expressions about relationships and feelings.

New Smile Korean Expression episodes are released every other day.


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

Smile Korean Coffee Chat #6 | What Koreans Really Mean by ‘괜찮아요’

‘괜찮아요’ is one of those Korean expressions that can mean more than you might think.

Sometimes it really means “It’s okay” or “I’m fine,” but sometimes Koreans say ‘괜찮아요’ even when they’re not actually fine.

In this episode, I’ll share some everyday examples and talk about how context, tone, and Korean culture can change the meaning of this simple expression.

Hopefully, this episode helps you understand ‘괜찮아요’ a little better — and maybe notice some of these little nuances when you talk to Korean people.

You can slow down the episode to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to listen more comfortably.

New Coffee Chats every Sunday

Today’s expression: 설레다 (seol-le-da)

Have you ever felt excited and your heart started to flutter just thinking about something? In Korean, we use “설레다” to describe that happy, excited feeling when you’re looking forward to something.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how to naturally use “설레다” in everyday Korean and learn a few related expressions like “두근거리다” and “설렘”. We’ll also talk about “설레발 치다”, a fun expression Koreans use when someone gets a little too excited and starts getting ahead of themselves.

Let’s learn “설레다” together with some everyday examples and a little bit of Korean culture!


You can also listen at 0.8x or 0.9x speed if you’d like to take it a little slower.

New episodes are uploaded every other day.

Today’s expression: 힘이 나다 (to feel encouraged / to feel motivated)

Have you ever felt better and more motivated because of someone’s kind words or a small moment that made you happy?

In Korean, we use ‘힘이 나다’ when something gives us energy, encouragement, or the motivation to keep going.

In this episode, let’s talk about some everyday moments that can give us 힘이 나는 and learn how to use this expression naturally in Korean.

This episode is a day late this week because I completely forgot to upload it on Monday. 😅 Thanks for waiting, and I hope this episode gives you a little boost, too!

Try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed if you’d like to practice Korean at a slower pace.

Today’s Coffee Chat is about 존댓말 (jon-daet-mal), Korean honorifics.

Why do Koreans speak differently depending on age and relationships? When do we use ‘존댓말’ or ‘반말’? And what does ‘말을 놓다’ mean?

Let’s talk about honorifics through some everyday examples and a little bit of Korean culture.

Don’t worry about learning everything at once. Just listen, relax, and enjoy the conversation.

If I’m speaking too fast, try 0.8x or 0.9x speed.

See you next Sunday!

Today’s expression: 서운하다

Have you ever felt a little hurt or disappointed because someone didn’t do what you expected?

‘서운하다’ is a very common Korean expression we use when we feel hurt because someone we care about didn’t show us the attention or consideration we hoped for.

In this episode, I’ll share some personal stories about times when I felt ‘서운하다’ — including a funny story about eating ‘닭갈비’ with my mom.

I’ll also explain the difference between ‘서운하다’ and ’아쉽다‘, two expressions that can sometimes feel similar but are used in different situations.

As always, you can slow the playback speed down to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to listen more comfortably.

I hope you enjoy the episode and learn some natural Korean along the way. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next one!