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Smile Korean with Soyoung

Soyoung

Real Korean😄 Real stories.

Want to learn Korean the way people actually speak? In each episode, I’ll introduce one everyday Korean expression, explain how Koreans really use it, and share a true story from my own life. It’s a simple, fun way to learn natural Korean while getting to know Korean culture and everyday life.

Whether you’re studying Korean, planning a trip to Korea, or just curious about life in Korea, you’re always welcome here.

* New episodes every other day.

Learn Korean. Explore Korea. Smile Together.

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52 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 14 min
Korean

Episodes 52

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S1 · E54
Monday · 11 min
Smile Korean Expression #40 | Get Sick of Something | 질리다
Today’s expression: ‘질리다’ (jillida) — to get tired of something or get fed up with someone. In this episode, we’ll learn how to use ‘질리다’ in everyday conversations, explore the difference between ‘질리다’ and ‘지겹다’, and talk about Korean school lunches! Have you ever gotten sick of eating the same food over and over again? Let’s learn how to express that feeling naturally in Korean! New episodes every Monday and Friday. Try listening at 0.8x or 0.9x speed if you’d like to take it slow.
S1 · E53
Sunday · 14 min
Smile Korean Coffee Chat #10 | What was school lunch like in Korea?
In this episode of Smile Korean Coffee Chat, we’re talking about Korean school lunch culture! We’ll take a look at the history of school lunches in Korea and how they’ve changed over time. You’ll also learn some interesting things about Korean school life along the way. If you’re curious about Korean culture and want to practice listening to Korean, grab a cup of coffee and join me for a little chat! •You can slow down the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like to listen at a more comfortable pace. •What was school lunch like in your country? I’d love to hear about your experience! •New episodes every Sunday. Thanks for listening to Smile Korean Coffee Chat!
S1 · E52
October 23 · 11 min
Smile Korean Expression #39 | Feel Embarrassed | 민망하다
Today’s expression: “민망하다” (minmanghada) — to feel awkward or embarrassed in a situation where you don’t know what to say or do. In this episode, I’ll share a few embarrassing moments from my own life and explain how to use “민망하다” in everyday conversations. We’ll also look at how it’s different from “부끄럽다” and talk about how Koreans sometimes react to compliments. You can slow down the playback to 0.8x or 0.9x if you’d like more time to practice listening. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Thanks for listening, and see you in the next episode!
S1 · E51
October 21 · 9 min
Smile Korean Beginner Korean Podcast #4 | Making Requests in Korean | 주세요, 맞아요, 아니에요
In this episode, we'll learn how to ask for things and answer simple questions in Korean! We'll practice useful expressions like “주세요” (juseyo), “맞아요” (majayo), and “아니에요” (anieyo), with simple examples you can use in everyday situations, like ordering a drink at a café. Listen along and practice speaking Korean with me. You can also slow down the playback to 0.8x or 0.9x if you'd like a little more time to follow along. New episodes every Wednesday. Thanks for listening, and see you next time!
S1 · E50
October 19 · 12 min
Smile Korean Expression #38 | What a Relief! | 속이 시원하다
Today’s expression: ‘속이 시원하다’ (sogi siwonhada) — to feel relieved when something that’s been bothering you is finally resolved. In this episode, I’ll share stories about finishing exams, catching up with a close friend, and finally cleaning my messy home. We’ll also learn the opposite expression, ‘답답하다’ (dapdap-hada), and the everyday phrase ‘수다 떨다’ (suda tteolda), which means to chat with friends. Listen at your own pace, and slow down the playback to 0.8x or 0.9x if you need a little more time. New episodes every Monday and Friday! Thanks for listening, and see you in the next episode.
S1 · E49
October 16 · 11 min
Smile Korean Expression #37 | Comfortable & Convenient | 편하다
Today’s expression: ‘편하다’ (pyeon-ha-da) — to feel comfortable or to be convenient. In this episode, we’ll learn how to use ‘편하다’ in everyday conversations through personal stories about friends, favorite sneakers, and finding places to meet up. We’ll also explore Korean floor-sitting culture and learn the opposite expression, ‘불편하다’ (bul-pyeon-ha-da), meaning uncomfortable or inconvenient. Listen at your own pace, and slow down the playback to 0.8x or 0.9x if you need a little more time. Thanks for listening, and see you in the next episode!
S1 · E48
October 14 · 14 min
Smile Korean Beginner Korean #3 | Saying Sorry & It’s Okay
Today’s expressions: 죄송합니다, 미안해요, 미안해, 미안, 괜찮아요 — I’m Sorry / It’s Okay In this episode of Smile Korean Beginner Korean, learn how to apologize in Korean and respond naturally in everyday situations. You’ll also learn two ways to use 괜찮아요: to reassure someone after an apology and to politely decline an offer. Listen at your own pace and adjust the playback speed to make learning Korean easier. New episodes every Wednesday!
S1 · E47
October 12 · 13 min
Smile Korean Expression #36 | To Run Into Someone | 마주치다
Today’s expression: ‘마주치다’ (ma-ju-chi-da) - To run into someone Have you ever unexpectedly run into someone you know? In this episode, we’ll learn how to use ‘마주치다’ in everyday conversations. Through personal stories and simple examples, you’ll learn how to talk about running into someone, making eye contact, and facing unexpected situations. We’ll also explore how people in Korea might react when they unexpectedly meet someone, depending on their relationship. Listen along and learn natural Korean expressions through everyday stories and Korean culture! New episodes are released regularly. You can slow down the playback speed to 0.8x or 0.9x to practice listening at your own pace.
S1 · E46
October 9 · 13 min
Smile Korean Expression #35 | 정이 많다 | To Be Affectionate
Today’s expression: 정이 많다 (jeongi manta) Have you ever become attached to someone or something simply because you’ve spent a lot of time with them? In Korean, we use 정이 많다 to describe someone who has a lot of affection for people or things and easily becomes emotionally attached. In this episode, I’ll explain what ‘정’ means and share some personal stories about people, things, Korean markets, and restaurants where you can experience this feeling of ‘정’. We’ll also learn 정이 떨어지다, an expression used when you lose affection for someone because of something they said or did. Listen along and learn natural Korean through everyday stories and Korean culture. You can slow down the playback to 0.8x or 0.9x if you need more time to follow along. New Smile Korean Expression episodes every other day!
S1 · E45
October 7 · 8 min
Smile Korean Beginner Korean #2 | Yes, No & Thank You
Let’s learn three simple Korean expressions you can use every day! 1. 네 — Yes 2. 아니요 — No 3. 감사합니다 — Thank you This time, we’ll practice them slowly in Korean, so listen and repeat along with me! New Beginner Korean episodes every Wednesday. #SmileKorean #BeginnerKorean #LearnKorean #KoreanPodcast #KoreanForBeginners
S1 · E43
October 5 · 11 min
Smile Korean Expression #34 | 눈에 띄다 | To Stand Out
Today’s expression: ‘눈에 띄다’ (nune ttuida) Have you ever noticed someone or something that stood out from everyone else? In Korean, we often use ‘눈에 띄다’ when someone or something is especially noticeable or catches our attention. In this episode, we’ll learn how to use ‘눈에 띄다’ naturally in everyday Korean and look at some situations where you might hear or use this expression. Take your time, listen along, and enjoy learning Korean through everyday expressions and stories. If the Korean feels a little fast, try slowing the playback down to 0.8x or 0.9x. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode!
S1 · E42
October 4 · 15 min
Smile Korean Coffee Chat #9 | Korean Food & Dining Culture
Today’s topic is 한식 — Korean food! In this episode, I’m talking about some of my favorite Korean foods, like 김밥, 비빔밥, 불고기, 갈비, and 떡볶이. I also talk about some things that make Korean dining culture unique, like 반찬, sharing food, 앞접시, and 한정식. I recently went to a 한정식 restaurant for my dad’s birthday, so I also share what I ate there and some dishes I tried for the first time. If you’re learning Korean and interested in Korean food and culture, grab a coffee and join me for today’s Coffee Chat! You can slow down the playback to 0.8x or 0.9x if you want to listen along more comfortably. New episodes every Sunday! Every Sunday, I’ll share either a Coffee Chat or a Vlog, so I hope you’ll join me each week.
S1 · E41
October 2 · 12 min
Smile Korean Expression #33 | 어색하다 | To Feel Awkward
Today’s expression: ‘어색하다’ (eo-saek-ha-da) Have you ever been in a situation where you suddenly didn’t know what to say or do? Maybe you met someone for the first time, ran into an old friend after a long time, or found yourself sitting in complete silence with someone. In Korean, we use ‘어색하다’ a lot to describe these kinds of moments. In this episode, I’ll show you how Koreans naturally use 어색하다 in everyday conversations and share some simple examples to help you understand the feeling behind the word. We’ll also talk about a few similar expressions, like 민망하다 and 서먹하다, and when you might use each one. As always, you can listen at your own pace. If it feels a little fast, try slowing the playback down to 0.8x or 0.9x. Thanks for listening, and let’s learn some natural Korean together!
S1 · E41
September 30 · 9 min
Smile Korean Beginner Korean #1 | Hello in Korean: 안녕하세요 & 안녕
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!
S1 · E39
September 28 · 12 min
Smile Korean Expression #32 | 서두르다 | To Hurry / To Rush
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
S1 · E39
September 27 · 14 min
Smile Korean Coffee Chat #8 | Chuseok in Korea
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
September 25 · 13 min
Smile Korean Expression #31 | 손이 크다, 발이 넓다 | To Be Generous & To Know Many People
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!
S1 · E37
September 23 · 15 min
Smile Korean Expression #30 | 익숙하다 | To Be Familiar With
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.
S1 · E36
September 21 · 13 min
Smile Korean Expression #29 | 말이 통하다 | To Understand Each Other
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.
S1 · E35
September 18 · 14 min
Smile Korean Expression #28 | 마음이 놓이다 | To Feel Relieved
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.

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