Dive into the poetic depths of the Korean language with Episode 53 of the Essential Korean Podcast, where Kay샘 unravels the complexities of 'ㅆ을까'—a grammatical form that captures the poignant musings of past choices and the bittersweet tang of what might have been.In this episode, we dissect a poignant scene from a movie, parsing the emotion behind 'ㅆ을까'. Then, we groove to the beat of Psy's song '어땠을까', unpacking the layers of retrospective longing woven into its lyrics. With grammar and practical language lessons, we’ll explore how this unique expression shapes narratives and conveys deep emotions in storytelling. Join the discussion post-episode on our website essentialkorean.com under "EK Podcast Episode 53." Share your insights, engage with our vibrant community, and become a part of our collaborative learning experience.Don’t just listen—immerse yourself in the language, reflect on the unspoken words of the past, and connect with us. Your journey through the heart of Korean expression starts here! #EssentialKorean #LearnKorean #KoreanGrammar #KoreanCinemaLove #KPopLanguage #KoreanPodcast #LanguageLearners #ㅆ을까Journey #박정현 #Psy싸이---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Transcript and Key Lesson Points- - -In this episode, we explore unique Korean verbs that are associated with the preparation of traditional dishes such as kimchi 김치, jjigae 찌개, namul 나물, and more. This episode introduces the verbs in a fun and interactive way, using vivid imagery and repetition for a memorable learning experience. You'll not only learn how to converse about making these iconic dishes but also gain deeper insights into the culture surrounding them. Additionally, stay tuned till the end for an exciting update about our website. Let's get started!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Transcript & Key Lesson Points - - - In this episode, we'll cover one of the question words, which is long overdue because we had an episode, Episode 3, on basic questions such as 뭐예요 (what is it), 언제예요 (when is it), 어디예요 (where is it), 누구예요 (who is it), and 얼마예요 (how much is it). Yet, it's not until today’s episode, Episode 51, that we introduce the crucial question word for numbers, 몇!We'll delve into this important question word and learn how to use it by 1) discussing some key concepts and 2) practicing them with situational examples, set in a nice Korean barbecue restaurant! By the end of this episode, you'll be able to comprehend and use this question word 몇 with various classifiers and level up your Korean. You'll also hear a few cultural things to note regarding different types of meat. So, without further ado, let's get started!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!---In today’s episode, we’ll discuss 1) the difference between the Korean "you" and the English "you" and 2) how to address people you're talking to in Korean. This is the topic many of you have requested, and I am very happy that I finally got to it and am sharing it with you.  Are you ready to tackle this topic? Let’s dive right in - it’ll be fun and culturally enlightening!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!---In today’s episode, we’ll start with a short review of the previous episode, where we learned to express the first person’s wants with one additional usage of the form. After that, we’ll get to a new lesson on how to tell what other people want to do in Korean and compare it with the way in which what ‘I’ or ‘we’ want is expressed in Korean. As today’s episode is the first episode of the new year, we’ll use a situational example very fitting for that– one of our life events that mark and signifies a new beginning: a wedding! With that, to the lesson we go! 

Lesson Recap & Transcript * If you liked the content of our podcast, please visit our website, essentialkorean.com, to check out the newly launched Essential Korean Podcast Course and our thoughtfully presented courses, along with other resources! - - - In this episode, we will learn the pattern most frequently used in daily conversation to express what 'I' or 'we' wants in Korean.   

Lesson Recap & Transcript* If you liked the content of our podcast, please visit our website, essentialkorean.com, to check out the newly launched Essential Korean Podcast Course and our thoughtfully presented courses, along with other resources! - - - In this episode, we will discuss speech styles and speech levels (again :), this tiime with a question from a student, based on a situation from the drama, 힘쎈 여자 도봉순 Strong Girl Bong-Soon.Examining the speech styles and levels in different situations will help us experience the dynamics and emotions at play and help us get an intuitive feel of Korea's language and culture. Sounds interesting? -  Let's get started! 

Lesson Recap & Transcript * If you liked the content of our podcast, please visit our website, essentialkorean.com, to check out the newly launched Essential Korean Podcast Course and our thoughtfully presented courses, along with other resources!-----In today's episode, we'll take a break from grammar-focused lessons for a more real-life situation-based lesson! We will learn: 1)  a few very useful expressions you will hear in a cafe or eatery as a customer and2) a few ways you can order drinks or food without worrying too much about grammar. You will learn with situational examples and, today, practice with mini role-plays :) By the end of this episode, you should feel quite confident when entering a cafe or eatery if or when you visit Korea. With that in mind, let’s dive right into the lesson!  

Lesson Recap & Transcript* If you liked the content of our podcast, please visit our website, essentialkorean.com, to check out the newly launched Essential Korean Podcast Course and our thoughtfully presented courses, along with other resources! ------------This episode is the last in our three-part series on Korean future tense. We’ll expand upon what we have learned in the previous episodes by combining a few sentences with verbs in the future tense form into one sentence using the -고 conjunctive. Let’s finish up our journey with future tense on a high note!To do that, we'll do something fun with a hypothetical question. Answers to this question call for future tense verbs, and we’ll use the informal-polite future tense form. Stay tuned until the end to create your own answers and also to find out what  Kay 샘's answer is :) 

Lesson Recap and Transcript - - - - - - - (We were supposed to have Part 3 on the topic of Korean future tense covered in this episode, but I’ve decided to give ourselves a little break with some music today, sprinkled with a few lesson points along the way! )In this episode, you'll learn the polite style (존댓말) future tense form and the direct style (반말) future tense form in Korean with two songs.You can find the translation of the songs in the transcript, which is accessible for entry and premium plan EK members. We also have our podcast course out for the first nine episodes of this podcast with practice, exercises, and videos, so feel free to check that out on our website as well! - - - - - Featured songs > 다 잘 될 거예요 (2018) by 윤딴딴 슈퍼스타 (Superstar) by the cast of Hospital Playlist in English ('슬기로운 의사생활' by its original Korean title, meaning Wise doctors’ life )

Lesson Recap & Transcript- - - Today’s episode will continue our journey with the future tense, and is divided into three parts:1) discussion on the difference between the future tense form and the present tense form when action verbs are used to describe future events; 2) different meanings of the future tense form for descriptive verbs; and 3) see how these two key lesson points are at work in conversation with a few situational examples, and a couple of personal anecdotes :) Let’s get right into it so you see what these mean!

Lesson Recap & Transcript In today’s episode, we have another exciting grammar point to cover: the future tense form in Korean. We’ll learn how to conjugate verbs in the future tense, as well as how to conjugate a few irregular verbs. So, if you have been following our podcast episodes in order, you’ll have all three tenses– present, past, and future– under your belt, and, by the end of this episode, you will be able to talk about events or states of being in all three tenses in Korean. How exciting is that! We should get right to the lesson. 

 Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, we’ll do two things: First, we’ll be revisiting sentences from previous episode to learn how to pronounce the 고 conjunctive in casual, colloquial language and practice speaking. Second, you'll be introduced to an approach to creating complex Korean sentences that will provide an excellent framework for you to build off of. You'll also learn to say a sentence, presented as a tribute to the popular K-drama, Extraordinary Attorney Woo  :) Let’s get started! ~ 

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn today’s episode, we will combine all the key lesson points you’ve learned from Episodes 37 and 38 on the 고 conjunctive and Episode 39 on past tense.  By the end of the lesson, you'll have learned to tell multiple past events and states with the 고 conjunctive. And you will also be introduced to a new song for the past tense theme :)As always, this episode is packed with useful grammar points and a lot of practice with situational examples - let's get started with the lesson! - - - Featured song:https://youtu.be/E1qX6vE4G6UMusic by : 우효 OohyoTitle:  꿀차 Honey Tea

Lessons Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, we will be learning about how to form the past tense in Korean, step-by-step.We'll learn the general past tense form first, and then we’ll go through a number of situational examples, in the hopes that you’ll be able to make your own past tense sentences by the end of the episode :) So, let’s get right into it!

Lesson Note & TranscriptThis episode consists of two parts: A mini-lesson on the very Korean word "아깝다"Further lesson on the verb conjunctive 고, using the song 일상으로의 초대 (Invitation To My Routine) by Shin HaeChul 신해철For the song, you'll first hear a cover version by 한승윤 & 서영주 duo in Sing Again  (무명가수전, 2020), and then the original singer,  Shin HaeChul  신해철, one of most regarded musicians in Korea. * * * * * * *Featured Song :  일상으로의 초대 Invitation To My Routinehttps://tinyurl.com/vehu6wfyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B0on2eDEN4 (한승윤 & 서영주)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTkLBhd-hQ8 (신해철) 

 Please check out our membership page, essentialkorean.com/membership. Become a premier member and enjoy the classes and all EK resources, including full transcripts of our episodes! Lesson Recap & Transcript In this episode, we will learn our very first verb conjunctive, the 고 conjunctive! When we add the verbal conjunctive -고 to a verb stem (VS), the conjugated verb carries the meaning of the verb in the present tense and the meaning of ‘and’. As always, we'll learn this conjunctive and practice speaking with situational examples.  In Korean, different meanings can be marked and expressed right in the verbs with different verbal conjunctives and we’ll learn them one at a time, starting with the -고 conjunctive today. As you start using different verb conjuncitves, your Korean will leap from a novice level and start to flow better. Are you ready to take the leap? I know you are; let’s get right to it :)** The sentences used in the situational examples in the lesson **1. My husband speaks Korean to me. And I speak English to my husband.남편은 나한테 한국말 해요. 그리고 나는 나는 남편한테 영어 해요. → 남편은 나한테 한국말 하고 나는 남편한테 영어 해요.2. I watch dramas. And I listen to the EK Podcast.저는 드라마 봐요. 그리고 EK 팟캐스트 들어요. → 저는 드라마 보고 EK 팟캐스트 들어요.3. I listen to the EK Podcast. And I practice with study buddies. 저는 EK 팟캐스트 들어요. 그리고 스터디버디하고 연습해요. → 저는 EK 팟캐스트 듣고 스터디버디하고 연습해요.  4. I practice with study buddies. And I write emails to my Korean friends. And I also text with the friends. 저는 스터디버디하고 연습해요. 그리고 한국 친구들한테 이메일 써요. 그리고 친구들하고 문자도 해요. → 저는 스터디버디하고 연습하고 한국 친구들한테 이메일 쓰고 친구들하고 문자도 해요

Lesson Recap & TranscriptThis episode is an extension of the previous episode, Episode 35, which centered on the Korean present tense and its meanings. To reinforce the key points covered in the last episode, we'll do a few more examples,  this time with more context. Along the way, you'll also learn how to make 김치찌개 Kimchi stew in an easy and simple way! 

Lesson Recap & Transcript This episode will first introduce a few expressions exchanged with someone you haven't seen for a while. Then, for the most part, it'll discuss the Korean present tense form & its meanings in the four areas: 1) The Korean present tense form can express an action presently in progress. 2) The present tense form can express an action that will be realized in the near future. 3) The present tense form can express an action that occurs regularly.4) The present tense form can also express an action one tells others to carry out or invites others to do. As always, we'll go over new concepts and grammar step by step and practice speaking together. Let's get started! 

Lesson Recap & TranscriptWe’ll continue with the particle 에, and, as the last part of this 3-part series, look at how it can be used to signal when an action or activity takes place. As always, this episode is far more than just learning the usage of 에. While listening to the episode, you'll be asked to repeat and say different sentences and mean what you say :) Follow along, challenge yourself, and practice together with Kay 샘 to be on the way to becoming a confident speaker of Korean :)Let's get started! 

Lesson Recap & TranscriptWe’ll continue with the particle 에, and, as the second part of this 3-part series, look at how it can be used to signal a destination. The usage we’ll learn in this episode is that the particle 에 can follow a destination and be paired with the verbs 가다 to go and 오다 to come and any other 가다 and 오다 compound verbs like 들어가다 to go in, 들어오다 to come in, 올라가다 to go up, 올라오다 to come up, 돌아가다 to go back, 돌아오다 to come back. This episode however is about far more than just the second usage of the particle 에. Along the way, you'll learn the new year's greeting,  a few kinship terms, and several particle combos to mean 'also to (place),' 'only to (place),' and 'to (place) at least.' Let's get started :) 

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you’ll be introduced to the multi-use particle 에.  It has three primary functions: 1) existence, where 에 follows a place to indicate whether an object is present or absent; 2) temporal, where 에 follows a time expression, and 3) destination; where 에 indicates a place to which one is going or coming. These functions will be discussed in a 3-part series and, in this episode, Teacher Kay will explain the first usage.  Let's get started!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this  episode, Teacher Kay will share her thoughts on  the single most asked question she's received  over the past year, which is "How do I study Korean?" This is an excellent question to consider for beginners and advanced learners alike, as newer learners should consider ways to effectively and consistently study Korean, and more experienced students should look for ways to improve their existing routine. You may gain a fresh perspective on the ways you study Korean and even the way you view the language. So head over to this episode and listen in! 

You'll find that the structure of this episode, Ep. 30.5, is a bit different from what you are used to (that is if you're a regular listener of our podcast :)  It was recorded in the car, so the audio quality is not going to be amazing to say the least, but hopefully you’ll find something useful and educational. The main points we wanted to get across through today’s episode were idiosyncrasies of the Korean language by examining the semantics and pragmatics of K-pop lyrics.You’ll hear two songs in the background. The first song is “그때 그 아인 Someday The Boy” from the K-drama, Itawon Class, aired in 2020; and the second song is “소리 Sound" from Mr. Sunshine, aired in 2018. (As of now, yes, both of these ARE available on Netflix! )Ok, with those pointers in mind, please enjoy this episode! 

Lesson Recap & Transcript - - -  In this episode, you'll learn how to utilize the particle 만,  the 'exclusive particle,' while reviewing some of the other particles we've learned so far. *Featured Song >Title: 말이야  I'm saying  (2013)Artist: Yi Hong Gee 이홍기https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omH47UeVMu8

Lesson Recap & Transcript- - - In this episode,  we will learn about when NOT to use the Korean object particle 을/를 with situational examples. This is going to be a short and sweet episode, but with indispensable grammar rules :) 

Lesson Recap & Transcript - - - In this episode,  we will learn how to use the Korean object particle 을/를 and compare it with other particles we've learned. And,  we will hear a part of the song 잊을게 I'll Forget You by Yoon Do Hyun, and see how the 을/를  particle is used in action!*Featured Song >Title: 잊을게 I'll Forget You  (2003)Artist: YB & Yoon Do Hyunhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNxxRBobFE

Lesson Recap & Transcript - - - In this episode,  we will learn how to use the particle 이/가 and how the particle 이/가 is used differently from the particle 은/는.  And,  we will hear a part of the song by Roy Kim titled 봄봄봄 Spring, Spring, Spring, and see how the 이/가  particle is used in action :)*Featured Song >Title: 봄봄봄 Spring, Spring, Spring  (2013)Artist: 로이킴 Roy Kimhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3-BDy55tq4

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode,  we will learn two things:how to say the seven days of the week in Korean how to ask someone what they think of somethingAnd, of course, we have a song to share. It’s titled 금요일에 만나요 Let’s meet on Friday by IU 아이유. Sounds good?  Let’s get started!*Featured Song >Title: 금요일에 만나요 Let's meet on Friday Paradise  (2013)Artist: 아이유 IUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiVmQZwJhsAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDfqXR_5yyQ  ( 2:05-3:07 )

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn today’s episode, we'll learn : the Korean number words from 20 to 90 in increments of 10;a new noun connector, the 와/과 set And, of course, I have a song I want to share with you. It’s a song by Psy,  titled 낙원, which means Paradise. We have a lesson packed with exciting material, so let’s get right to it! *Featured Song >Title: 낙원 Paradise  (2002)Artist: 싸이  Psyhttps://youtu.be/qXzxKRc5PeM (the third section in the episode, the concert)https://youtu.be/Bx9Do3HJRNk (the first and the second sections in the episode)

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, we will do two things: Learn how to count from 6 through 10 in Korean and what you can expect about learning native Korean numbers from 1 through 99.Learn about the additive particle 도 which means 'too' or 'also' and practice using it in different situations. Happy learning, everyone!*Featured Song >Title: 오늘도 어제처럼 Today too, like yesterday  (2020)Artist: 효정, 오마이걸  Hyo Jung, Oh My Girl https://youtu.be/06Eo97Clw5A

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, we will do two things: Learn how to count from 1 through 5 in Korean  (with a song :) Practice using the numbers in a conversation (You should be able to understand ALL the sentences in the conversation because they’re based on lessons from previous episodes.)You can consider it a comprehensive review of the content we’ve gone over thus far.  If you have a hard time following the conversation, know that you can always go back to previous episodes for review. When it comes to learning a new language in particular, review is always, always good! Happy learning, everyone! *Featured Song >Title: 숫자 Numbers (2019)Artist: 이적 Lee Juckhttps://youtu.be/EpZNy0zjv9Q

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, we will learn how the contraction of the particle 은/는 works in colloquial speech and practice speaking contracted phrases in sentences. We will also practice using the sentence connectors 그리고 and 그런데.  The contraction of the 은/는 particle is indeed prevalent in colloquial speech, and not discussing the topic would only cause greater confusion. However, do not concern yourself with the contraction for speaking as a beginning student. Rather, your focus should be on when and where to appropriately place the 은/는 particle, so you can become more familiar with the sentence structure of the Korean language and in turn continue to build a sound foundation for advancing to the intermediate level. This is the last episode to focus on the  은/는 particle in a three-part series (Episodes 20, 21, and 22). We spend this much time on the particle because of its importance in the Korean language, so stay with me :) Happy learning! *Featured Song >Title: 강남스타일 (2012)Artist: 싸이 Psyhttps://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0

Lesson Recap & Transcript In this episode, we will learn two things: How to connect nouns with 하고 and sentences with 그리고How to utilize the connector within sentences with the 은/는 particle (Remember? - we were introduced to 은/는 in the previous episode  ;) By the end of this episode, you'll be able to create sentences a little longer than we’ve had so far. Exciting, isn't it? But more importantly, this episode will help you build a sound basis to start building sentences in Korean and help you gain clearer insights into how the 은/는 particle is used in communication. Please listen to this episode again to review, and don’t forget to engage in active learning by repeating after Teacher Kay while thinking about the meaning. Happy learning, everyone!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you’ll be introduced to the Korean particle system. There are two primary types of Korean particles:One type of particle simply marks the function of the word they follow, indicating if the word is the subject, object, or topic of the sentence. The 이/가, 을/를, and 은/는 particles that you may have heard of belong to this category of particles.The other type of particles adds an extra meaning to the word it follows. Some particles that belong to this category include 에, 에서, 부터, 까지, which mean ‘in,’ ‘on,’ ‘at,’ ‘from,’ ‘to,’ and ‘by.’ We will tackle particles one at a time. In this episode, we will zero in on one particle set in-depth, and that is the 은/는 particle. Learning the usage of different particles is a major step forward, so think of this as a milestone episode! Don't forget to repeat after Teacher Kay and hear yourself saying the sentences and understanding them. You'll be surprised at how far you've come!*Featured Song > Title: 우리는 (1983)Artist: 송창식 Song, Chang-sikhttps://youtu.be/YzcLM1f3_qU

Lesson Recap &  TranscriptIn this episode, we’ll learn how to negate verb forms, or more simply, how to express what someone doesn’t do. We’ve learned previously how to say what actions we do, like “I eat” or “I cook.” Negating these statements entails learning how to say “I don’t eat” or “I don’t cook.” After listening to this episode, you’ll be able to provide more elaborate answers to the questions that ask if you do certain actions or what you do in Korean!We'll review the action verbs learned in previous episodes and learn 6 new very useful Korean verbs: go, learn, teach, read, meet, and like. We'll then practice these verbs in a variety of situations.For go :  가요. For learn :  배워요.For teach :  가르쳐요.For read :  읽어요.For meet :  만나요. For like :  좋아해요.Don't forget to repeat after Teacher Kay and hear yourself saying the sentences and understanding the conversations. You'll be surprised at how far you've come!

Lesson Recap & Transcript In this episode, continuing from the last episode, you will learn 8 more Korean pronouns and practice using them in sentences with 10 more action verbs we use daily. The practice section will center on a 'house tour' :) Here is the list of the 10 new action verbs in the dictionary form that we will learn today: 보다  to watch or to see일어나다   to get up 듣다  to listen or to hear자다  to sleep 씻다   to wash요리하다  to cook  밥 먹다  to have a meal 마시다   to drink 통화 중이다  to be in the middle of a call  이메일 쓰다  to write an email With the 13 verbs from the last episode and 10 from this episode, you can now express what you do throughout the day IN KOREAN! *Don't forget to repeat after Teacher Kay when prompted and hear yourself speaking Korean :)*Featured Song >Title: 하루일과 Those Days  (year)Artist: 자이언티 Zion T.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t27bFuEbvjw  (music video)

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn 4 Korean pronouns for ‘I’ and ‘we’; and practice using them in sentences with 13 action verbs we use daily. The verbs introduced in this episode are 하다-verbs, which consists of a noun with the verb 하다, which means 'to do.' Let’s quickly run through the list of verbs in the episode, starting with actions you would find in your morning routine. to brush your teeth: 양치+하다to wash your face: 세수+하다to take a shower: 샤워+하다 to have a meal: 식사+하다 to study: 공부+하다  to work: 일+하다 to call: 전화+하다 to talk on the phone: 통화+하다 to do a video call: 화상통화 +하다 to text: 문자+하다 to keep in touch: 연락+하다 to drive: 운전+하다 to work out, to exercise: 운동+하다It won’t be that exciting to talk about what you do daily in your own language, but it WILL be exciting and fun to talk about what you do daily in KOREAN, so let’s get to work!  *Don't forget to repeat after Teacher Kay when prompted and hear yourself speaking Korean :)

Lesson Recap & TranscriptThis episode will start with a review using K-dramas and a K-pop song to illustrate some of the key points discussed in the last episode about "Speech Styles." Then we'll get to today's main topic on "Speech Levels" of the Korean language. Consider this lesson as an introduction as I will provide an outline of speech levels’ important aspects and put aside a lesson on how they are actually used in the language later. (We need to build a little more vocabulary and grammar base :-) In terms of speaking practice, please repeat after Teacher Kay 케이쌤 in the part where she introduces verbs describing a daily routine, in both neutral and honorific forms. If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you! *Featured Song >Title: 반말송  [Bahn-mahl-sohng] For First-time Lovers (2011)Artist: 정용화 Jung Yong Hwa (CNBLUE)https://youtu.be/TFd0af4x7z8

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn about "Speech Styles" of the Korean language, specifically the polite style and the casual style used in colloquial speech. If you have heard people using the terms, 존댓말 [ john-deht-mahl ] and 반말 [ bahn-mahl ], they're talking about the Korean speech styles. It's not an easy concept to grasp for beginners whose native language doesn't have a similar linguistic aspect. However, the more you get to know them, the more interesting you'll find it to be -- You will gain insights into Korean culture and unique ways of people relating to one another.In the next episode, you'll be introduced to another topic, "Speech Levels," which students confuse with speech levels. We'll demystify them, so stay tuned!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will be introduced to a few basic and important terms that set the foundation for learning Korean grammar. We'll take a closer look at these terms one at a time: Korean Verbs in Dictionary FormVerb Stem (VS)Verb Continuative Stem (VCS) We’ll look at 7 verbs, 5 of which have been introduced in the previous lessons and 2 of which are new. Although only 2 are new, today’s lesson will let you see all of the 7 verbs in a new light, as you will see how all the phrases come to have the “yo-ending."Mastering these will make learning advanced Korean grammar significantly easier, as the different forms and extensions of Korean words are derived from the few core forms we will cover today, so pay attention closely. Are you ready? Tune in and follow along - repeat after Teacher Kay, answer the questions, and find yourself SPEAKING Korean!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, we feature two verbs, 있다 and 없다. The verb 있다 means 'to be present'  or 'to have'; and the verb 없다 means 'to be absent' and 'to no have.' We also introduce 5 new nouns, which are not English-borrowed loanwords. By the end of this episode, you will be able to say what something exists and doesn't exist as well as what someone has and does not have - all in Korean!  The show consists of two parts: Lesson with speaking practiceMini Quiz for ReviewTune in and follow along - repeat after Teacher Kay, answer the questions, and find yourself SPEAKING Korean!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn 3 aspects of the basic sentence structure of Korean with two featured sentences: "나 한국말 공부해요" :  I study Korean"나 김치 먹어요" : I eat kimchi.This episode consists of a lesson with speaking practice and 2) application practice.Tune in and follow along - repeat after Teacher Kay 케이쌤, answer the questions, and find yourself SPEAKING Korean!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, we will review the expressions introduced from Episode 1 through Episode 10. We'll do this situationally, in conversations, so that you can see how these expressions are utilized in real-life situations.  You will be asked to imagine that you're being relocated to Korea and are on a flight to Korean today! There are six conversations. Each will be presented with a summary of the situation and will be played twice. Refresh your memory and think back to the previous episodes: How to greet people in Korean when meeting for the first timeHow to bid farewell in KoreanHow to identify things in KoreanHow to apologize and to respond to an apology in KoreanHow to express gratitude in KoreanAnd more! If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn 12 variations of two Korean verbs 알다 'to understand' or 'to know' and 모르다 'to not understand' or 'to not know.' Many Korean students ask about the usage of different forms of the verbs 알다 and 모르다. This episode will try to demystify some important aspects of them.By the end of this episode, you'll have learned when to use and how to say: Two ways to say “I got it” or “I understand it now (with the newly received information)”: "알겠습니다" "알겠어요" Three ways to say “I don't get it” or “I don't understand it (even with the newly received information)”: "모르겠습니다" "모르겠어요" "모르겠는데요"andTwo ways to say “I know” or “I understand”: "압니다" "알아요" Three ways to say “I don't know”: "모릅니다" "몰라요" "모르는데요" and a couple of ways to ASK others about their understanding and knowing ---ALL IN KOREAN!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn 8 new Korean to use in real-life situations. By the end of this episode, you'll have learned when to use and how to say: the daily expression which corresponds to “I’m home” or “I’m back” in English:"다녀왔습니다" what something or someone is NOT:"아니에요"the phrase that means “if that’s the case” and acts as a transitional phrase:"그럼 ~"the phrases that express surprise and help link separate parts of the conversation smoothly:"그래요?"; "정말요?"; "진짜요?")congratulations:"축하드립니다" & "축하합니다"-ALL IN KOREAN!The show consists of two parts: Lesson with speaking practiceMini Quiz for ReviewTune in and follow along - repeat after Teacher Kay, answer the questions, and find yourself SPEAKING Korean!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn nine very useful Korean expressions to use in real-life situations you're likely to encounter in Korea. A couple of expressions are newly introduced, and the other previously learned expressions are re-introduced with different uses. By the end of this episode, you'll have learned the expressions to handle the two following situations, IN KOREAN: Situation 1 > Having an unannounced visit by an unknown person to your place  Situation 2 > Handling a phone call  The show consists of two parts: Lesson with speaking practiceMini Quiz for ReviewTune in and follow along - repeat after Teacher Kay, answer the questions, and find yourself SPEAKING Korean!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn four new essential expressions used to get someone's attention in Korean and how to say what you want in the simplest form possible, along with useful tips for travel and cultural notes!  By the end of this episode, you'll be able to say the essential Korean phrases in various situations like the ones below: Getting servers' attention at a restaurant  여기요Approaching passersby to ask for directions 저기요  Making your way out from subway 실례합니다 Getting people's attention when passing them by at a crowded place 잠시만요 Ordering food and drinks at a restaurant  (noun)+요- ALL IN KOREAN!The show consists of three parts: LessonMini Quiz for ReviewSuggested practiceTune in and follow along - repeat after Teacher Kay, answer the questions, and find yourself SPEAKING Korean!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn five new essential greetings and farewells used in daily life situations. We'll continue with the situation in Episode 1 where an exchange student from America starts his new adventure in Korea from the time he arrives at the Incheon Int'l Airport! You'll imagine various situations that call for the various expressions and practice them together. By the end of this episode, you'll be able to use the unique, essential Korean greetings and farewells in the following situations:meeting someone you haven't' seen for a while 안녕하셨어요welcoming someone 어서 오세요!bidding farewell to someone moving away from the current location 안녕히 가세요bidding farewell to someone who remains 안녕히 계세요bidding farewell to someone at work 수고하세요- ALL IN KOREAN!The show consists of three parts: LessonMini Quiz for ReviewSuggested practiceTune in and follow along - repeat after Teacher Kay, answer the questions, and find yourself SPEAKING Korean!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn how to say thank you and a few ways to respond to an expression of gratitude in Korean. Moreover, you will also gain some insights into subtle differences among the phrases. By the end of this episode, you'll learn:Two expressions of gratitude in Korean;Four different Korean phrases that functionally correspond to "You're welcome" in English.The show consists of three parts: LessonMini Quiz for ReviewSuggested practiceTune in and follow along.Or repeat after Teach KAY, answer the questions, and find yourself speaking KOREAN!If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you'll learn a few ways to apologize and how to respond to an apology in Korean. The show consists of three parts: LessonMini Quiz for ReviewSuggested practiceTune in and follow along. Or repeat after the phrases, answer the questions, and find yourself speaking KOREAN! If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn how to ask essential questions in Korean with example situations.  By the end of this episode, you'll be able to ask:Who is it? What is it?Where is it?When is it? and How much is it?- ALL IN KOREAN!The show consists of three parts: LessonMini Quiz for ReviewSuggested practiceTune in and follow along. Or repeat after her, answer the questions, and find yourself speaking KOREAN! If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Lesson Recap & TranscriptIn this episode, you will learn how to say what something or someone is in Korean. Kay will introduce the two forms of the verb 이다, 'the verb of identification,' and give you many examples for when to use each. The show consists of three parts: LessonMini Quiz for ReviewSuggested practiceTune in and follow along. Or repeat after her, answer the questions, and find yourself speaking KOREAN! If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes, email us at contact@essentialkorean.com. We love to hear from you!---Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!

Welcome to the Essential Korean Podcast, where I help break down the nuances of the Korean language to help you become a more aware and confident speaker of Korean. We’ve created the Essential Korean membership to help provide a complete set of tools to elevate your Korean to the next level. Check that out on our website, along with my weekly newsletter, at essentialkorean.com!---Lesson Recap & Transcript In this episode, you will learn a few useful phrases to use right after your flight to Korea lands at the Incheon Int'l Airport! You'll be asked to imagine being an exchange student who has just arrived in Korea, going through customs and meeting the host family at the airport :)Kay will teach you a few ways to greet people when meeting them for the first time, to say thank you, and to answer yes/no questions - all with example situations.  By the end of this episode, you'll be able to say:Hello / HiNice to meet youThank youYesNoI can't speak KoreanI can't speak Korean well - ALL IN KOREAN!Tune in and follow along- repeat after her, answer the questions, and find yourself speaking KOREAN! If you like the content of this podcast, please check out the EK Podcast Course where you can reinforce the key points and practice them in module. To chat and connect with other listeners of this podcast, join our community on Discord !