한국 드라마
han'guk deurama
The English phrase "k-drama" is translated into Korean as 한국 드라마 (han'guk deurama). Wiktionary also lists 한드 (handeu).
Meaning: Korean TV drama (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 한국 드라마 | han'guk deurama | |
| 한드 | handeu | [ha̠ndɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to Korean television dramas.
What does it mean word for word?
한국 드라마 is composed of 한국 (han'guk), meaning 'Korea' and 드라마 (deurama), which is a loanword from the English word 'drama'.
Which one should you use?
You may also see 케이드라마, which is an informal transliteration of the English term 'K-Drama'. In much more casual conversation, the abbreviation 한드 is used. This follows a pattern seen in other media. For example, just as 한드 abbreviates Korean dramas, 중드 is the common abbreviation for Chinese dramas.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
한드 is an informal abbreviation used colloquially, and 케이드라마 is an informal transliteration.
How do you pronounce it?
han'guk deurama
Did you know?
- While 'drama' in English often implies a serious or theatrical play, 드라마 (deu-ra-ma) in Korea refers to any scripted TV series, including romantic comedies and thrillers.
- Koreans use the loanword 드라마 (deu-ra-ma) for TV shows, but for traditional theater or stage plays, they typically use the different term 연극 (yeon-geuk).
- The phrase 한국 드라마 (han-guk deu-ra-ma) uses a word for 'Korea' that is a shortened version of the official name 대한민국 (dae-han min-guk), which means 'The Great Han People's Nation'.
Examples in context
- 내일 뭐 할까?What should we do tomorrow?
- 어, 케이드라마 한편 보는 건 어때?Oh, how about watching a K-Drama episode?
- 이번 주말에 뭐할래?What do you want to do this weekend?
- 한국 드라마 마라톤을 하자!Let's have a Korean drama marathon!
- 저는 한국 드라마를 좋아해요.jeoneun hanguk deuramareul joahaeyo.I like Korean dramas.
- 최근에 재미있는 한국 드라마를 봤어요.choegeune jaemiinneun hanguk deuramareul bwasseoyo.I watched an interesting Korean drama recently.
- 이 한국 드라마는 정말 슬퍼요.i hanguk deuramaneun jeongmal seulpeoyo.This Korean drama is really sad.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo주말에 뭐 했어요?jumare mwo haesseoyo?What did you do over the weekend?
- 지은 Ji-eun집에서 한국 드라마를 봤어요.jibeseo hanguk deuramareul bwasseoyo.I watched a Korean drama at home.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo어떤 한국 드라마를 봤어요?eotteon hanguk deuramareul bwasseoyo?Which Korean drama did you watch?
- 지은 Ji-eun로맨틱 코미디 드라마예요.romanteik komidi deurama-eyo.It is a romantic comedy drama.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “k-drama” translations and entries 한드, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 드라마, 한국, CC BY-SA 4.0.
