Learning Korean through K-drama & K-pop 

POPULAR CULTURE AS A POWERFUL TOOL: 

Let’s discuss “ How popular culture can be a powerful tool for language learning?” 

• As popular culture in language learning plays a very important role in the development of a person’s personality. Not only in personality but by learning more than one language it can develop a person’s cognitive skills. 
• Popular culture has influenced language evolution through the process of cultural transmission and adoption of new linguistic forms and expressions. 
• It’s important to provide the necessary context and understanding of how to think, interact and behave in the society according to norms of the particular community. 
• It enhances the learner’s ability to engage into intercultural communication, adjusting their language use to different cultural contexts.

BEGINNER FRIENDLY K-DRAMAS: 

Here are some beginner friendly K-dramas for learners to start. 

• CRASH LANDING ON YOU: 

This epic cross-border love story, featuring unforgettable chemistry and enough heartwarming moments to make you swoon, even lead to you a real life wedding. 

This K-drama is rich in emotions & perspectives to help you understand the nature of language. It will help you to switch from one emotional point of view to another.

• WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JOO

Kim Bok-Joo, a weightlifter, gets attracted to a fitness doctor and is even ready to lose weight for him. However her childhood friend, a talented swimmer, inspires her to achieve her dreams. 

This drama is definitely recommended as a stress reliever & fun to watch. Enjoyable from start to finish this series features extremely likable actors and characters and laugh out loud funny dialogue. 

• GOBLIN 

Kim Shin, an immortal goblin, goes to find a human bride to remove an invisible sword from his chest and end his life. One day, school student Ji Eun-Tak confesses to him that she is the chosen one.

This K-drama holds a unique & engaging plot. It offers a unique storyline that blends elements of fantasy, romance,drama and the supernatural. 

MY SUGGESTION: 

• Try to watch K-dramas with Korean subtitles instead of English subtitles. 
• Removing English subtitles helps you to learn from context. 
• This will help you to understand a good amount of Korean conversations. 
• It will be doable with pausing to look things up. 

 K-POP SONGS: 

First of all I wanted to discuss something. It’s really important to understand that whenever you are listening to the music in another language 

• The language should be easy 
• The song should be slow, the more song will be slow the more it becomes easy for you to understand 

And most of the K-pop songs are fast with loud music. So you have to choose wisely with the intention of language learning. 

So I will suggest you to go for some “Korean Drama OSTs”. They I feel like are the best resources to understand the Korean language when it comes to learning with cultural perspectives. 

BEGINNER FRIENDLY K-DRAMA OSTs 

Here are some of my favorite suggestions. Must check them. 

• Just watching you 

• Forever Love 

• Just One Day 

• Only U 

• Running 

• Once Again 

These are some of my favorites. The language is easy. And you will enjoy listening to them. Also here is another suggestion which includes a list of “Korean OSTs”. You can listen to the songs separately or in a list. It’s up to you. 

TIPS: 

These are three most important things which you need to remember while watching K-drama or listening to the K-music. 

• Watching with Subtitles

Watching with Korean subtitles will help you to understand the whole concept of conversation. You have to work using the formula of “Pause & Repeat”. 

Note unfamiliar words into your diary to repeat again. 

• Repeating Phrases 

This activity is not only helpful while watching K-drama but you can apply while listening to the music also. 

Repeat whatever you listening or watching. 

• Singing Along 

I suggested you all the slow songs because slow songs are easy to repeat while singing along. Words are clear & you don’t need to match the speed. You will not feel hurry. So the process is easy & smooth. 

I hope you find this blog useful. If you have any questions related to Korean language learning feel free to contact us. 

Regards, 

TASKEEN PEERZADA