If you’re a K-drama fan, you’ve probably noticed that the English titles of your favorite dramas often feel… different from their original Korean versions. Sometimes poetic, sometimes literal, and occasionally, completely unrelated! Today, we’re diving into the world of K-drama translations — and showing how understanding Korean gives you a whole new layer of meaning and cultural context.
Let’s go beyond the subtitles.
1. When Life Gives You Tangerines
폭싹 속았수다
Pok-ssak Sok-at-su-da | पोक्साक सोकात्सुदा
💬 Literal meaning: “I was completely fooled.”
🗣️ Jeju dialect! This phrase from the Jeju Island dialect is actually a way of saying “Thank you for your hard work.” It sets the tone for a story that’s warm, raw, and rooted in local culture.
2. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
사이코지만 괜찮아
Sa-i-ko-ji-man Gwaen-chanh-a | सायकोजीमान ग्वेन्चान्हा
💬 Literal meaning: “Psycho, but it’s okay.”
This bold title reflects the mental health themes in the show and celebrates emotional vulnerability.
3. Alchemy of Souls
환혼
Hwanhon | ह्वानहोन
💬 Literal meaning: “Return/Revival of the Soul.”
A mystical title for a fantastical series about soul shifting and destiny.
4. Lovely Runner
선재 업고 튀어
Seon-jae Eop-go Twi-eo | सॉन-जे ऑप्-गो थ्विऑ
💬 Literal meaning: “Run Away with Sun-jae on Piggyback.”
Cute, chaotic, and exactly the kind of rom-com title you didn’t know you needed.
5. Crash Landing on You
사랑의 불시착
Sarang-ui Bul-si-chak | सा-रंग-ए बुल्-शी-चाक्
💬 Literal meaning: “Love’s Emergency Landing.”
Yes, it’s about love — and a literal crash landing. But also a story about unexpected love in unexpected places.
6. Business Proposal
사내맞선
Sa-nae Mat-seon | सा-न-ए मत्-सॉन
💬 Literal meaning: “In-House Blind Date.”
The drama lives up to its name — mixing office dynamics with matchmaking madness.
7. Love Next Door
엄마친구아들
Eom-ma Chin-gu A-deul | ओम्माचिंगूआदुल
💬 Literal meaning: “Mom’s Friend’s Son.”
A very Korean phrase that instantly triggers flashbacks of comparisons and expectations.
8. Something in the Rain
밥 잘 사주는 예쁜 누나
Bap Jal Sa-juneun Yeppeun Nuna | भाप झाळ साजूनं येप्पन नूना
💬 Literal meaning: “Pretty Sister Who Buys Me Food.”
A title as tender and comforting as the show itself.
9. Doom at Your Service
어느 날 우리 집 현관으로 멸망이 들어왔다
Eo-neu Nal U-ri Jip Hyeon-gwa-neu-ro Myeol-mang-i Deu-reo-wat-ta
ऑन नाळ उरी झिब योनघ्वानरो म्यॉळमांगी वात्दा
💬 Literal meaning: “One day, Doom came into our house through the front door.”
Now that’s a title that tells you everything and nothing at once.
10. Extraordinary You
어쩌다 발견한 하루
Eoj-jeo-da Bal-gyeon-han Ha-ru | ऑचॉदा भाळघ्यॉनहान हारू
💬 Literal meaning: “A Day Discovered by Chance.”
A whimsical take on fate, awareness, and rewriting your own story.
Why Does This Matter?
When you learn Korean, you unlock so much more than just understanding dialogue. You get to experience the depth, nuance, and humor that translation can never fully capture. If these titles intrigued you, imagine what the whole script can do!
📚 Curious to learn Korean and dive deeper into the world of K-dramas?
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