Here’s a continuation of some of the must-know Konglish terms! Remember, Konglish might sound like English terms, but its meaning in the Korean context can be entirely different. Therefore, all Korean language learners should familiarize themselves with these words for smoother communication (and sound more like native speakers)!
1. “오바” (o-ba)
A Korean pronunciation of the English word “over”, this term means to exaggerate, to be dramatic, or to do too much. This term can be used in several situations. Imagine a person saying something unbelievable, someone who screams at the sight of an ant, or your friend who turns up to a house party in a full suit when the dress code was casual. Saying that they are “오바” would be an appropriate reaction in all three scenarios here.
2. “핫플” (haat-peul)
An abbreviation of the term “hot place”, it is a term to describe trendy neighbourhoods, cafés, restaurants, and even limited-duration pop-ups. In these “hot places,” you can always be sure to find large crowds, long queues, and tons of people waiting to join the hype.
3. 웨이팅 (waiting)
And on that note, when visiting a popular place, “waiting” is often necessary. And by “waiting”, the Koreans actually mean queuing! This continuous tense is used directly as an action verb in this case. For example, “Since we need to do “waiting”, let’s do some shopping in the area first.” Many popular establishments have a “Catch Table” system right by their door, where visitors can input their mobile number to join in the virtual queue. You will be updated in real time when the queue moves and be notified to head over when it’s close to your turn to enter.
4. 센스 (sen-seu)
This Konglish uses the English word “sense,” and gives it a uniquely Korean nuance. Not referring to one of the five senses, Koreans typically use this word to describe people who are socially astute or discerning in general. Having the tact to anticipate what another person might need and preparing it in advance? Or gifting a thoughtful present that the recipient would really like? You would be considered to have “sense”!
5. “컨셉” (concept)
This Konglish word has a broader meaning that goes beyond academic definitions. It means vibe, theme, personality, and outfit mood. It can be used to describe people, things, or even fashion styles! “What’s your concept today?” would mean “What’s your vibe today?”.
6. 텐션 (tension)
“텐션” comes from the English word “tension,” but in Korea it usually refers to someone’s mood, excitement level, or energy. When a person is described as having “high tension”, it means they are lively, hyper, or in high spirits. Conversely, having “low tension” suggests low energy or a subdued mood. This term can also be used to describe the overall vibe of a place or gathering.
7. 오픈런 (open-run)
“오픈런” (open run) refers to the practice of lining up before a store opens in order to enter as soon as doors open, usually to buy luxury or limited-edition items. This culture of open-run is getting increasingly prevalent in Korea’s consumer culture, where people queue in advance for popular restaurants and pop-ups. The most recent craze that ignited waves of open-run across cafes all across the country would be the infamous Dubai Chewy Cookie, a sweet pistachio mochi treat wrapped in chocolate marshmellow.
8. 워라밸 (wora-bael)
This is an abbreviated Konglish term for “work-life balance,” pronounced in a Korean way. It describes the balance between one’s job and personal life, and is often used in discussions about job satisfaction and company culture. The increasing usage of this term over the years also highlights the shifting social values in South Korea toward prioritizing personal well-being alongside career success.
9. 케바케 (ke-ba-ke)
As you probably noticed by now, there are many abbreviations in the Korean language that are used in daily conversations. “케바케” is the shortened form of the English term “case by case”. In this case, the meaning that something depends on the specific situation or individual circumstances remains the same across the languages. It is commonly used in casual speech to avoid making broad generalizations.
10. 랜선 (raen-seon)
“랜선” comes from the English term “LAN cable,” which refers generally to an online connection. This Konglish word is used widely in different situations. For example, “랜선친구(chin-gu)” refers to a friend known only through the internet, not in person. “랜선집들이 (jip-deuri)” describes a virtual housewarming, where someone shows their new home online through photos or live streams instead of inviting guests physically.
Learning a new language can feel daunting at the start. But it becomes far more approachable when you start discovering familiar elements within it! Here at Sejong Korean Language School, our Beginner classes are curated for students with no prior background in the language. As you progress along your Korean language learning journey, our intermediate and advanced classes offer a comprehensive syllabus that will help you connect what you learn in the textbooks and real-world Korean language features. Feel free to enquire today!
Written by: Ms Luisa Lim, March 2026