Korean Drama Titles: Korean vs. English

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We know that many of you enjoy watching Korean dramas. How familiar are you with the original Korean titles of those dramas? Let's compare how the titles differ in Korean and English for some of the most well-known K-dramas.
0:00 Drama Titles in Korean?
0:20 Hello!
0:43 Let's compare drama titles
1:06 Four groups of titles
1:33 Same in English and Korean
2:56 Direct Translations
4:40 Slightly Different
6:40 Very Different
15:36 How many did you watch?
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[@tanushrimehra829]

great video. one of the korean drama titles that I really found interesting was: LOVELY RUNNER translated from "선재 업고 튀어" which literally means to carry SunJae and run. loved this one.

[@rustysamblack]

i was hoping this one would have made it. 😅

[@Linhmeo93]

I also wonder why Hyun woo nim didn't mentioned 선재 업고 튀어 😅 My favorite drama😊

[@talktomeinkorean]

I learned about that drama AFTER I already filmed this video. Sorry I didn't include it haha XD

[@Linhmeo93]

@@talktomeinkorean 😅😅😅

[@graceso4603]

I also wondered about this one. Especially because the verb is 튀다 not 뛰다. Seems to me it should be "run away" not just "run" - which fits the story because the heroine keeps traveling back in time to change the hero's destiny for the better. Basically, to help him run away from his unfortunate fate.

[@stephaniewilkinson3615]

“밥 잘 사주는 예쁜 누나” is “Something In The Rain” in English. It’s like the people in charge of the translation threw up their hands and said, “Nah, way too many culturally specific nuances here” and defaulted to the most bland and generic phrase they could think of.

[@mr_shubin1]

😂

[@Stephwilk]

I mean, can you imagine? “Older Sister (to a male) (but in this case not an *actual* sister) Who Buys Me Food (because that’s part of the older person/younger person interpersonal dynamic works here)” 😂 Might not have attracted much of an audience…

[@jmh5515]

I was hoping he would do that one! I laughed when I found out the Korean title!

[@serenityq26]

@@Stephwilk just do "big sister buys me food" simple

[@ChunkestMonkey666]

It's another version of pokemon's jelly donuts. Brock was always going around with onigiri but in english version he referred to them as donuts. Japanese culture wasn't as popular 25 years ago as it is now, so they went with something kids back then were familiar with. If I saw a title "pretty older sister that buys food for me" I would be like "the hell is that title" but generic title "something In the rain" sounds romantic so propably got more attention. Same with 지금 우리 학교는, judging by this title I wouldn't even consider watching that, school drama, I was in high school 15 years ago, that's not for me. But the title "all of us are dead" sounds sinister, so I checked it out and found a really good zombie series.

[@Tomasrrb]

You should do a reverse video: english series titles awkwardly translated to Korean

[@talktomeinkorean]

That's a good idea! Haha :D

[@smitashankar3385]

Since I started learning Korean, and became comfortable reading hangeul, I’ve always made it a point to pause credits and read the titles of dramas. It’s an interesting insight into what gets lost in translation, maybe because of varying cultural nuances. The strangest translation of a title IMO was that of the drama ‘She would never know’, the original being 선배, 그 립스틱 바르지 마요! I think it’s an example of the translation sounding better than the original.

[@farawaykin]

Oh what an amazing topic for a video

[@nadjohnson]

I really love how the drama 밤에 피는 꽃 is translated to Knight Flower... the wordplay on night and knight, and they took into account the female lead is quite the heroine who's always rescuing those in need, secretly ♡

[@tobiasbiller]

While I like 사이코지만 괜찮아 as a title, I think that a direct translation wouldn't have worked that well in English as "It's okay to be not okay". Something like "psycho but it's okay" just doesn't roll that well from the tongue in my opinion. And I think it still goes well of the theme of the show overall. I've watched the drama 히어로는 아닙니다만 (literally something like "Not a hero, but...") when it aired. One of the few Dramas, which have an official German translation as "Beinahe Helden" (Almost Heroes), which I kinda like and is closer than the English, which is "The Atypical Family". The English title only gives you a part of the premise, but it's missing the central conflict in it's title.

[@ninas8210]

Oh, you're right, the German one is definitely more clear / specific than the English

[@summersnowball]

That reminds me of how well ' 알고있지만' translated to 'Nevertheless' - it preserved both the original meaning *in its grammar*, while also evoking exactly the right measure of meaning in the english. It's such a good rendition - shame the drama wasn't worth it 🤣

[@user-xq5od7uf3w]

Someone said the title of 'It's OK to not be ok' was in itself comforting, however, the korean title is 'Even though you are a psycho its ok' so criminal lol. Thanks 현우 선생님

[@user-xq5od7uf3w]

Edit. Just finished the video and you mentioned it. Its so different and I don't agree.

[@cynthiapowers8139]

I've wondered if the English phrase "It's ok not to be ok" may have been the original title which was worked back to include 괜찮아. Also the use of psycho for a person with a mental illness is no longer acceptable so that title would not work in English.

[@alisonsattler6396]

So glad to know what to watch! I've never watched Korean dramas and want to start watching them.

[@boris8787]

Would love to see a language learning book based on a K-drama using every Korean grammar form from start to finish and at the same time learning the vocabulary. Perhaps some of the K-drama characters could be from the TTMIK staff - a fun and effective way of learning the beautiful Korean language.

[@fransmith3255]

Oooh! Some of my favourite dramas (not all of them!🤣). Thank you Netflix! 🙂 And Hyunwoo, every time I see your videos I am astounded by your understanding of nuances of English meaning!! I live in South Korea, working in schools as an English teacher, and am often explaining so many nuances between English words to Korean people, who often know the basic meaning, but don't always understand those nuances (similar to my Korean, lol!! I'm continually adding to my understanding of words I already know - normal, right?). It's kind of a English/Korean word nuance exchange, which fascinates me! So I say this as someone who has lived in South Korea for 6 years now and have met and talked about English vs Korean with a LOT of Korean people in South Korea, who also speak English at various levels, many of them with stronger than average English. Your understanding of the nuances and differences between English words seems to be really extraordinary! I think I remember hearing that you've never been to an English speaking country. Is that still correct?? Because I would never have guessed that from your deep understanding of English word meanings!!

[@talktomeinkorean]

Thank you!😄

[@jkang7265]

Phenomenally useful captions mixing Hangeul and English!

[@kimberlyappelcline]

I really prefer the title 사이코지만 괜찮아 because of the fact that there are various people in the drama who are dealing with mental illness of different types, and the drama allows the viewer to see them less judgmentally. Since there is no subject in the title, it can refer to any/all of those characters, saying that all of them are okay despite being socially labeled as "psycho." (Well, except for one character who is very much not okay. lol)

[@julianachen5852]

As I started learning Korean I was also so intrigued by the translation and always checked on naver translation. Thank you for posting this video.

[@Yzura]

I think I watched more than half of the dramas. This reminds me of the Korean song titles too. The reason for the different translation and also spelling is so interesting.

[@Omar_Hassan]

This was a great video when i started watching K-dramas i thought the English names means the same as the Korean But when i Started learning korean & read the Titles i was like: wait ! This is not the Same meaning 😮 The first shock for me was when i Watched (the Good bad mother) But the korean title was( 나쁜 엄마) Bad mother 😅 Since then i try to Remember the korean titles first then english

[@jmv9491]

Goblin/Guardian: The Lonely and Great God immediately comes to mind (also Our Beloved Summer (그 해 우리는) is my favorite)

[@JoannaPineda]

This is amazing and so useful! Thank you!

[@paolapaynee]

it was so lovely to hear some interesting titles for the dramas! 선생님, 감사합니다.

[@infinitelifedivineheartmed1924]

Very nice topic. Saw 26 out of 30 dramas.

[@talktomeinkorean]

4 more to go!😁

[@anzafatima7104]

loved the video! Amazing job well done

[@martivalero4168]

Hi TTMIK team. Not so long ago you used to upload videos where you analyzed long sentences and explained each of the grammar points in them. I find that type of videos very useful and I think my fellow Korean learners do too. I would very grateful if you uploaded more videos of that kind. Thanks!

[@MI_keith]

Sometimes, it's nice to have fun and maybe glean a little something as well. 🤷‍♂️

[@cynthiapowers8139]

According to Naver, 이상 also means uncommonness; extraordinariness; singularity and ideal. I thought the choice was very clever and appropriate.

[@Miyankochan]

The original titles sometimes contain words that were probably considered "sensitive" topics in the western world. They won't use the word "psycho" in the title or "strange" as a description for someone on the autism spectrum. In the west you have to be careful as so many things are considered "offensive" or "triggering" nowadays. Translators can't risk any scandals. However, I think they mostly come up with clever alternative titles. :) As a Korean learner, this episode was very interesting, thank you.

[@sophytopley4194]

Thank you so much for such an interesting video. I’ve learned a lot.

[@shellinboots]

"서른이지만 열일곱입니다" 드라마가 내가 제일 좋아하는 것 중 하나입니다. An honorable mention is "sh**ting stars" (별똥별) because the way it is spelled in english makes it look like a bad word and it makes me giggle every time ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@farawaykin]

I was wondering what 'Hospital playlist' was called originally (but never checked) because in my language this drama as well as the drama 'Prison playbook' were both translated literally as 'wise life' this and that. So I thought that maybe we're weird and made one title similar to the other to attract more viewers because of the popularity of the first drama or something? But actually they are named similarly (and I can see the director is the same so it's like an antology/series type of thing), and it's the English translators who decided to do away with the similarities and came up with unrealted titles.

[@michaelcorbett4236]

Yeah it's the same people and in a way there may be another Wise Life series. We had Wise Prison Life, Wise Doctor's Life. But I think the title does do the intention of the title justice as the "Wise" means "How you do it/how you play it". They both feature players. I suspect a third series would be called Wise Teacher's Life or Teacher Playtime.

[@haleyy_pris]

great topic!!

[@femmefatal4785]

I was just wondering about this and TTMIK delivered! I have watched far too many of these dramas 😅 It’s okay to not be okay was a smart change imo.

[@apobangapot7]

This is best video for learning korean ❤🎉

[@KimberlyProza13]

I have seen over 150 k-dramas in the last 2.5 years, but I have only seen 10 of these! Although several of them are on my "to-watch" list. This was a fun video!

[@clarissajames7787]

왕이 된 남자 - The Crowned Clown Really enjoyed your video!

[@ChunkestMonkey666]

지금 우리 학교는 - all of us are dead. Although, i think its actually a good change.

[@zulynava4059]

Agree!

[@sobruhkey]

Not sure I agree. "지금 우리 학교는" sounds like how one would start an announcement over the PA. And since we spend the majority of the drama AT a school, I prefer it to the English title.

[@ChunkestMonkey666]

@sobruhkey yeah, It may sound like a radio announcement, but you don't hear a title but you read it. 지금 우리 학교는 sounds to me like a school drama, I was in high school 15 years ago, scrolling through netflix looking only at the title would make me propably ignore it. "All of us are dead" sounds more sinister and got my attention right away.

[@sherrillgammon3366]

Love this! I will keep it as a list of the ones I haven’t watched yet although I have seen many of them! And I absolutely love knowing the original title. Many of them I think they should have kept just as is.😊

[@siseongyuri]

love this video!!!

[@ruthsiagian7662]

This is interesting content. Many k-drama new words of title became save in my brain😮. I think I was watched 10 k-dramas(drama mention by Hyunwoo ssaem in content). I missed new k-dramas. I hope this is becoming part 2😂

[@JDPanshel]

My top 5: 1. 사랑의 불시착 2. 태양의 후예 3. 별에서 온 그대 4. 이상한 변호사 우영우 5. 빈센조

[@meezer5663]

Thank you; so very interesting! I have seen 25 of these and I have several favorites: CLOY, Hospital Playlist, and Reply 1988. It seems that when the publicity about a new drama begins, the "working title" is released which is the actual Korean title. About when filming begins, the English title is finalized. Also, several Kdrama websites, like My Drama List, use both titles. This video helped clarify how and why there are two titles in Kdrama directories.

[@deb4908]

I’ve watched many of these and currently re-watching 별에서 온 그대 for maybe the 7th time (could be 8th). Hard to believe it is now over ten years old. Proof that a great story and superb acting never get old.

[@sawolseonsaengnim2988]

Interesting topic! Love it! I think I've already watch 21/30 😂 hmm.. The first Kdrama that I have watched was Endless Love: Autumn in my heart, it also has a different translation in korean.

[@jessicah317]

This was so interesting! 정말 재미있었어요! Two of my favourite k-dramas are 모범택시 and 경이로운소문! Out of your list I think I saw only one or two I've watched (many that are on my list to watch however!) one of which was 킹덤. 킹덤 진짜 좋아요!

[@anid6661]

Very insightful video

[@tilakrijal456]

감사합니다 선생님!! 제가 좋아하는 드라마는 날 녹여주오입니다

[@yu07lya]

my favourite kdramas are 타인은 지옥이다 and 약한 영웅💟thank you for this interesting video!

[@ivanthenuke9995]

My favorite drama is My Mister and as I learned a little Korean I thought that the translation of that title was really interesting - I actually found a video someone did who explained it quite well.

[@ryusmm928]

The first K-drama I thoroughly watched and liked was 시크릿 가든 back in 2011. Two years later, I started to learn 한글. After that, I tried to check the poster of Secret Garden in Korean. I was so fascinated because it sounds like the English title.

[@schen2081]

Thanks for the video! No judging please i only caught on to Kdramas 2 years ago (and thus the language) and still playing catch up with many older shows. Recently completed 응답하라 1988 and found it really heartwarming.

[@beulaho]

Great topic! Whenever I start watching a new drama with my parents on Netflix and see the original Korean title, I say "oh, it's actually called [loose English transliteration]" 🤭 나쁜 엄마 could've easily just been called "Bad Mother" for example, but I guess they inserted the "Good" to reveal her good, but misguided, intentions toward her son.

[@marlapiedracabrera7037]

The cool part is that translators are not the ones who choose titles. This is a marketing thing. 😉

[@the_story_addict]

One of the first translated versions of dramas titles that I noticed while learning korean and loved it was "사이코지만 괜찮아 "

[@nurkamiliailyana]

I don't count but 2 of my favourite is on the list! 슬기로운 의사 생활 hospital playlist (my comfort drama) & 구르미 그린 달빛 love in the moonlight (people rarely talk about this drama so i was surprise it make it in that list 😄) love in the moonlight also translated as moonlight drawn by clouds in some platform. It's almost like a second name of this drama (for english title) I've seen some of it but i didn't count how much out of 30 😅

[@anushkapathak3360]

Do the hairs,Boys over flowers,City hunter,the legend of blue sea,Dream High,Full House,pinacio,Big mouth nd many more ❤well great vedio.

[@PiGwa]

The interesting thing is, although the last part of the original Korean titles is very different from the English titles, but the Chinese titles in Taiwan are almost the same meaning to the Korean ones! ㅋㅋㅋ재밌네! 너무 좋아!

[@KoreanlearningChannel-bc2cb]

My favorite drama is 나의 별에게2 : 우리의 못다 한 이야기. To my star 2. Real Korean drama with lots of hidden details. 😍

[@midnightcafe5120]

My favourite kdrama title is "지금 우리 학교는" which is All of Us Are Dead" in english. I like it in korean since it says "지금 우리 학교는" then it shows zombies which makes the title more interesting than "All Of Us Are Dead"

[@ralphy383]

I've watched 13 of these dramas. And the ones I've not watched I'm already familiar with the names so I'm guessing this list is basically all the popular ones. Now that I've heard the korean titles of some of them I'm more interested in watching them.

[@MI_keith]

이 30개 중에서 드라마 11개 봤는데 10개 이상 아직 보고 싶어요. 각 드라마가 다른 감정을 느끼게 해주니까 제일 좋아하는 드라마를 뽑을 수 없어요. 재미있는 영상을 보여주셔서 감사합니다!

[@Linhmeo93]

저는 14개 😊

[@kpopfan.2002]

I've seen 12 of what he mentioned in this video, but I've seen a lot of other dramas that aren't in this video.

[@redzed32c32]

The Package/ 더 패키지 - a very underrated romcom- one I can watch over and over.

[@ninas8210]

I have watched 4 out the ones mentioned in the video ( a few of the others, if not most, are on my list) one that came to mind for me is a drama that is called 힙하게 and the official English translation is Behind Your Touch. It is interesting that they chose a similar concept but a bit differently (i think partially due to the fact that it seems that when people use the word "hip" or 힙 in Korean, they are referring to butt-- in case you needed context on why the butt, it's bc the main character gets powers that she can see people's memories if she touches their but)

[@jeshandwriting]

요즘 좋아하는 드라마가 단, 하나의 사랑이란 드라마인 것 같아요. 다 아직 안 봤는데 드라마가 좋은 것 같아요^^ 그리고 이 영상이 재미있어요! 👍

[@michele7509]

Watched 17. 제일 좋아하는 드라마는 “ 신입사관 구해령” 입니다. 영어로 “Rookie Historian”😊

[@unrealizee]

"The Glory" is my fave:)

[@NadejdaC]

Thank you for the interesting video. I have watched 27 of this list, these are basically some of my favourite kdramas. With Extraordinary attorney Woo, I think the English is better because she was also genious at memorizing laws (so having extraordinary abilities). The daily dose of sunshine is not a very intuitive title, the literal translation would have been better. The same with “it’s ok to not be ok”, the literal translation is more intriguing. I look forward to more insightful content from you. ❤

[@sakshisaini7380]

When it comes to different title, the kdrama doom at your service surprises me with its name in hangul 어느 날 우리 집 현관으로 멸망이 들어왔다.

[@sasasthisu]

You should have added Lovely Runner. Maybe for the part 2?

[@alexisford3576]

"Something in the Rain" title always blew my mind. I like the Korean title better. lol.

[@DREAM-nw9ko]

Just finished watching 선재 업고 튀어 (Lovely Runner)! I think this one has an interesting translation as well ^^

[@amorupatieee]

recently they translated 졸업 to The Midnight Romance in Hagwon hahhaha

[@lisaschumaker9100]

No "Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food"? I figured that was guaranteed to be on the list!

[@talktomeinkorean]

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@jamie_lou]

I remember when I was learning hangul I was watching Cheese in the Trap at the time. I thought, "Oh, let me read what the words are in Korean!" I laughed when it was just a phonetic spelling of the english words, and then I saw how often that was done. (I also read the entire webtoon afterward, I really liked that story.)

[@randi4321]

I've seen just one of these: Itaewon Class. Nothing personal, I just find Korean dramas go on and on and on. I just can't sit still that long.

[@triantafyllialoukou1005]

Of course I have seen every one of these 😊

[@nanariri2028]

My favorite kdrama is "Lie to me", because it is soooo funny!

[@anniannianniii]

감사해요 for this video!! My favorite kdrama is 연모 it’s so good ❤❤❤

[@tynzyj]

I've been thinking about it lately. Thank you for making this video

[@arcanesiren629]

Another kdrama title with a rather clever English translation I could think of is Ruler of Your Own World, or 네 멋대로 해라, which literally means "Do as You Wish/Please". Different translations, but the context essentially is similar, if not the same.

[@pantheongaia]

lol I’ve seen only “my love from the star”. But my fav was not listed - “ legend of the blue sea’

[@uaena-iu-30]

Please make a video talking about the difference between 사용하다 / 이용하다 / 활용하다 pleaseeee 😢

[@evendir]

I'm currently watching the series with the English title of "Love All Play" (a badminton play on words), which has a totally different Korean title of "너에게 가는 속도 493km". Though interestingly Disney+ actually uses a direct translation of the Korean title and calls it "Going to You at a Speed of 493 km". 😂

[@mahafathi5155]

I've watched the 2 seasons of 비밀의 숲 and it's was translated literally in both Arabic and English, so this is the first time I'm hearing about the name "Stranger"!! And I think it would be amazing if they named 사이코지만 괜찮아 It's okay to be psycho 🤭

[@khushi-rs3js]

제가 제일 자주 본 드라마들 2개 입니다 - 빈센조와 그녀의 사생활. "사내 맞선"도 되게 좋아해요. 이 드라마를 내 여동생이랑 같이 봐요. 제 같은 경우는 "사이코지만 괜찮아"는 "안 괜찮아도 괜찮아" 보다 더 멋잔 제목이에요.

[@Mindyourbusiness82]

제가 가장 좋아하는 한국 드라마는 "내일"이에요. The title was translated literally from Korean to English since both fit so well. Can you do a video for "Lovely Runner." I'm rewatching that drama because it's so good and I am having trouble figuring out the Korean title version.

[@Basha3639]

That's great. I was sometimes wondering if the titles in English fit with the originals. English translation should be the best because people usually understand English more than Korean. The craziest thing for me is that Czech also translates those titles and that translation is sometimes very different and I don't know what show it is until they write an English name or I look up that title.

[@cheriebraden]

Awesome video. My favorite kdramas are 스물다섯 스물하나 and 으라차차 와이키키.

[@zaleluv]

Yes it should have been your a phsyco and it okay 😂😂... and so far that is one of my favorites

[@serenityq26]

counting its ok to be a psycho (which i am still watching) i have seen 6 of these.

[@stallonegremista9600]

but what is the meaning of "cha cha cha" in hometown cha cha cha?

[@ozodbekxomidbekov8320]

Hello, why does the website have such a difficult payment method? I am trying to make the payment for a monthly subscription using a Korean card, but I failed to do so And the website is also working so slow.

[@Ariber1]

사극 좋아요. 예를 들면 , . , 등 시간여행 물건 드라마도 좋아요. 나이가 많아서 그렇지 ㅋㅋㅋ

[@elissa2399]

I have seen 28. My favourite here is 환혼 (Alchemy of Souls - I hope!). A favourite that is not included here is, 아버지가 이상해 (English title, My Father is Strange; literally translated, I understand it is, My Father is Weird). A great family, ensemble drama, of over 50 episodes! S.Korea make excellent dramas, but l think Netflix are spoiling the format, in their own productions. I hope S.Korea does not copy them and stays with what they know how to do best.

[@SanSandraR]

I haven't watched all 30 of them, but like 23 or so. I lost count at some point. Can I add one more title to the list? It's Narcos Saints, Korean title 수리남. I was born in 수리남 so that caught my eyes immediately.

[@squ34ky]

14:45 is the Korean title a nod to the 2006 Park Chan-wook movie, 싸이보그지만 괜찮아 (Ssa-i-bo-geu-ji-man-gwen-chan-a) (I'm a Cyborg, but that's OK)? Or is this a snowclone that's used a lot in the language?

[@icecreamspls]

Interesting! I'd love to know the reason for the name changes. The English version is often more abstract than the Korean version. I wonder if there's a psychology in it. As an English speaker, I think the more literal titles do not entice me as much, though of course there may be hidden poetry/wordplay in the Korean version I can't see.

[@jarxdd_]

I think 'Deaths Game' korean title also has a very different meaning.

[@colourless6312]

Love All Play literal translation from its korean title is “Going to You at a Speed of 493km”

[@LightEnchantress]

In this case, does "my highest respect for your passion" actually translate as, "I think you're crazy"? 😂 All kidding aside, I LOVED this video, it is absolutely fascinating and makes me think that I should always explore what a drama name is in Korean before I watch it. Please do more videos like this, I'm sure there are lots more dramas you could talk about!

[@wageedahartley9055]

Watched 25 of them There are too many to choose a favorite, lol

[@sarahzheng2566]

참고로 한국 드라마의 중국어 이름은 모두 글자 그대로 직역한 것이에요. 예를 들어 '사랑의 불시착'의 중국어 이름은 '爱的迫降'으로 번역됐어요.