Learn Korean with K-Drama Lines - When Life Gives You Tangerins

Hey, Korean learners!

 

Have you heard of 폭싹 속았수다 (When Life Gives You Tangerines)? This moving Jeju Island drama tells the story of a resilient haenyeo (female sea diver) mother and her daughter, capturing life’s bittersweet moments. The title, which translates to "수고 많으셨습니다" (you have worked hard/thank you for your hard work) in standard Korean” comes from the Jeju dialect and hints at the deep emotins woven throuout the narrative - a story that has resonated with audiences  from Seoul to New York.

 

Today, we’ll explore Episode 1’s most touching dialogues, helping you learn Korean through the unique and poetic Jeju dialect.

 

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출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’”

 

Scene 1: Mom’s Diving and Aesoon’s Complaints

 

Korean Dialogue

 

[Aesoon]

“이럴라면 전복을 낳지 나는 왜 낳았대?”

(“If things were going to be like this, why didn’t you just give birth to an abalone instead of me?”)

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 이럴라면 (ireollamyeon): If things are going to be like this (Standard Korean: 이렇게 하려면)

• 전복 (jeonbok): Abalone

• 낳다 (natda): To give birth

 

Aesoon, upset that her hardworking mother is still diving when others have finished, expresses her frustration in a uniquely Jeju way.

 

출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’”

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Scene 2: A Mother’s Tears for Her Daughter’s Poem

 

Korean Dialogue

 

[Gwangrye]

“나 맨날 맨날 백환 줘 / 나 물질 좀 안 나가게 / 나도 죙일 내 새끼만 쳐다보고 살아 보게”

(“Give me 100 hwan every day so I don’t have to dive anymore. I just want to spend my days looking at my child.”)

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 맨날 (maennal): Every day (Standard Korean: 매일)

• 백환 (baekhwan): 100 hwan (old Korean currency)

• 물질 (muljil): Diving (for seafood)

• 새끼 (saekki): Child (informal, affectionate term)

 

Gwangrye, moved by her daughter’s poem, wishes for a life where she doesn’t have to dive but can simply cherish her child.

 

출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’”

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Scene 3: A Mother’s Tough Love

 

Korean Dialogue

 

[Gwangrye]

“애순아 엄마가 가난하지, 니가 가난한 거 아니야. 쫄아붙지 마! 너는 푸지게 살아.”

(“Aesoon, it’s your mother who is poor, not you. Don’t shrink back—live boldly!”)

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 쫄아붙다 (jjora butda): To be intimidated (Jeju dialect; Standard Korean: 움츠러들다)

• 푸지게 (puchige): Boldly, richly (Jeju dialect)

 

Gwangrye encourages her daughter not to let poverty define her spirit, showing her deep motherly love.

 

출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’”

출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’”

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Scene 4: A Final Gift—Abalone and Love

 

Korean Dialogue

 

[Gwangrye]

“애순아, 엄마 죽거들랑 이 집 나가. 작은 아부지한테 가서 ‘나 죽었소’ 해. 여기 있다 염씨들 식모 되지 말고. 꼭 약속해.”

(“Aesoon, when I pass away, leave this house immediately. Go to your uncle and tell him, ‘My mother has died.’ Don’t stay here and become a servant for the Yeom family. Promise me.”)

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 죽거들랑 (jukgeodeullang): If I die (Jeju dialect; Standard Korean: 죽으면)

• 식모 (sikmo): Servant (female)

 

In this heartbreaking moment, Gwangrye ensures her daughter has a chance at a better life.

 

출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’

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Scene 5: Life’s Harsh Truths

 

Korean Dialogue

 

[Gwangrye]

“애순아, 어차피 사람은 다 결국 고아로 살아. 부모 먼저 죽어도 자식은 살아져.”

(“Aesoon, in the end, everyone lives as an orphan. Even if parents die first, children continue to live.”)

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 고아 (goa): Orphan

• 살아지다 (sarajida): To continue to live, to survive

 

This raw, philosophical reflection from a mother to her daughter highlights the resilience of life.

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출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’

출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’

Scene 6: A Mother’s Final Lesson

 

Korean Dialogue

 

[Gwangrye]

“두고 봐라, 요 꽃물 빠질 즈음 되면 산 사람은 또 잊고 살아져.”

(“Just watch—by the time this flower dye fades, the living will forget and continue on.”)

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 꽃물 (kkotmul): Flower dye (often used to stain fingernails)

• 빠지다 (ppajida): To fade

• 잊다 (itda): To forget

 

In this poetic line, Gwangrye reminds us of the inevitability of moving on, even after loss.

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Wrapping Up: Learn Korean with Jeju Dialect

 

From Aesoon’s fiery spirit to Gwangrye’s wisdom, 폭싹 속았수다 is a treasure trove of deep emotions and rich Jeju dialect. By practicing these lines, you’ll not only improve your Korean skills but also gain insight into Jeju culture and the struggles of haenyeo women.

 

What was your favorite line from this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep learning together!

 

 

출처: 넷플릭스 ‘폭싹 속았수다’