Smile Korean with Soyoung

☕ Today’s Coffee Chat: My Compass Feels Broken

Have you ever felt like your compass wasn’t working?

In today’s Coffee Chat, I share why I started creating Korean learning content, how I found this path, and why I still feel like I’m searching for my own direction.

We also talk about getting older, the pressure of having everything figured out, and learning to enjoy the journey—even when your compass feels a little broken.

This episode is a relaxed conversation in natural, everyday Korean. If you’re still a beginner, don’t worry if you can’t understand everything. Listening consistently is one of the best ways to improve your Korean. If you need to, try slowing the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x and listen at your own pace.

New Coffee Chat episodes every Sunday!

• Want to watch with Korean & English subtitles?

You can watch the full video on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/channel/UCsH7aKYx_zm9TmXVn1Im9Vw?si=5dmmtr-9Y_yLEn0O

Thank you so much for listening.

See you in the next Coffee Chat! 😊

Today’s expression: 아쉽다

Have you ever wished a special moment could last just a little longer?

In this episode, you’ll learn the Korean expression 아쉽다, a word Koreans use when something good comes to an end or when they wish things had turned out a little differently.

Through my personal stories, we’ll talk about saying goodbye to friends, cheering for my favorite baseball team, and why I always bring plenty of ice when my family goes camping in the summer. You’ll also learn the difference between 아쉽다 and 안타깝다, two expressions that are easy to confuse.

We’ll also explore Korea’s unique baseball cheering culture and learn how this expression is naturally used in everyday conversations.

New episodes are released every other day. If the Korean feels a little fast, try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed. Keep listening, and you’ll become more comfortable with natural Korean! 😄

Today’s expression: 정신없다

Have you ever had a day where everything seemed to happen at once? Maybe you had too many things to do, or something unexpected happened and you didn’t know what to do first.

In this episode, we’ll learn the Korean expression 정신없다, one of the most common expressions Koreans use when life feels busy, chaotic, or overwhelming.

I’ll share a few personal stories—from balancing university projects with part-time jobs, to being in a car accident, and even watching the FIFA World Cup Final while traveling in Croatia. Through these stories, you’ll hear how 정신없다 is naturally used in everyday conversations.

We’ll also learn the related word 혼란스럽다 and talk a little about Korea’s part-time job culture.

New episodes are released every other day, so be sure to follow the podcast! If my Korean feels a little fast, don’t worry! You can slow the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x and learn at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

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

Today’s expression: 눈치를 보다 👀

Have you ever worried about what other people might think of you?

In today’s episode, we’ll learn the Korean expression ‘눈치를 보다’, a phrase Koreans use all the time when they feel self-conscious or pay close attention to other people’s reactions.

I’ll share some common examples, including starting a new job, surprise birthday parties, leaving work on time, and speaking up without worrying about others. I also talk about a funny marathon story, doing things alone like 혼밥 and 혼영, and why I sometimes feel awkward when people around me start arguing.

We’ll also learn the word ‘대중교통’ (public transportation) and explore why ‘눈치’ is such an important part of Korean culture.

New episodes are released every other day! 🎙️

If my Korean is still a little fast, try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed. It will help you catch more words and improve your listening naturally.

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

Have you ever worried about what other people might think of you?

In today’s episode, we’ll learn the Korean expression ‘눈치를 보다’, a phrase Koreans use all the time when they feel self-conscious or pay close attention to other people’s reactions.

I’ll share some common examples, including starting a new job, surprise birthday parties, leaving work on time, and speaking up without worrying about others. I also talk about a funny marathon story, doing things alone like 혼밥 and 혼영, and why I sometimes feel awkward when people around me start arguing.

We’ll also learn the word ‘대중교통’ (public transportation) and explore why ‘눈치’ is such an important part of Korean culture.

New episodes are released every other day!

If my Korean is still a little fast, try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed. It will help you catch more words and improve your listening naturally.

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

☕ Today’s Coffee Chat

Why did you start learning Korean?

In this first Coffee Chat, I share my own experience of learning foreign languages, what inspired me to start this podcast, and what I hope to create through Smile Korean.

We also chat about traveling in Korea, my recent trip to Gangwon Province with my family, and why I believe listening is one of the most important parts of learning a language.

Unlike my regular expression lessons, these Coffee Chats are a chance to hear more natural, everyday Korean in a relaxed conversation while getting to know me a little better.

Both Korean and English subtitles are included, so you can follow along at your own pace. If the Korean feels a little fast, try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed.

I’ll be back with a new Coffee Chat every Sunday. Thanks for listening, and see you next time!

Today’s expression: 부담스럽다

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a responsibility or uncomfortable because someone expected something from you? In Korean, we often use the expression 부담스럽다 in situations like these.

In this episode, I’ll explain what 부담스럽다 means, when Koreans naturally use it, and why it’s such a common expression in everyday conversations. I’ll also share three personal stories: my recent interest in backpacking (and why it can feel a little overwhelming to start a new hobby), a friendship that became stressful because of constant messaging, and the time I was placed in an advanced private tutoring class that was far beyond my level. Along the way, we’ll also talk about Korean messaging culture and the different situations where Koreans say 부담스럽다.

New episodes are released every other day! If I speak a little too fast, don’t forget that you can slow the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x.

Thank you for listening to Smile Korean.

Learn Korean. Explore Korea. Smile Together. 😊

Today’s expression: 귀찮다

In this episode, you’ll learn the Korean expression 귀찮다, one of the most common words Koreans use in everyday life.

We use “귀찮다” when we know we should do something, but we just don’t feel like starting it. Whether it’s exercising, washing the dishes, doing laundry, or getting ready for work, you’ll hear this expression everywhere in Korea!

I’ll share some of my own stories about running, cleaning, and traveling, and we’ll also talk about an interesting part of Korean culture—recycling and separating trash. It can feel a little troublesome at first, but it quickly becomes a natural habit for many people living in Korea.

You’ll also learn the useful expression 미루다 (to put something off / procrastinate), which is often used together with 귀찮다.

🎙️ New episodes are released every other day. If the Korean feels a little fast, try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything the first time. Just keep listening, and Korean will start to feel more natural!

Learn Korean, Explore Korea, Smile together 😄

Today’s expression: 깜짝 놀라다

In this episode, we’ll learn what “깜짝 놀라다” means, when Koreans use it, and how it’s different from simply saying “놀라다.”

I’ll also share a few funny stories from my own life—from traveling around Europe with a friend who was startled by everything, to a surprising moment during a private tutoring lesson, and the time I had to help a customer with a pet parrot even though I’m afraid of birds!

You’ll also learn about Korea’s college entrance exam (Suneung) and why airplanes stop taking off and landing during part of the test.

New episodes every other day. If I speak too fast, feel free to slow the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x. If you’d like to practice listening, you can also speed it up!

Learn Korean. Explore Korea. Smile Together. 😊

Today's expression: 정이 들다

In this episode, we'll learn what "정이 들다" means, when Koreans use it, and why this expression is so special in Korean culture.

You'll also hear a few stories from my own life about friends, work, and even a 15-year-old umbrella.

New episodes every other day. If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to follow and join me for the next episode!

Learn Korean. Explore Korea. Smile Together. 😊