Learn Korean with When the Camellia Blooms Quotes

Im Sang-chun Series (1)

 

Hello, Korean drama fans!

Korean dramas are full of memorable quotes, and few writers do it better than Im Sang-chun. Her works, known for their warmth and emotional depth, offer a great way to learn natural Korean expressions. In this post, we’ll explore touching lines from the hit drama When the Camellia Blooms, starring Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul, and learn how to use them in daily conversation.

 

출처: 넷플릭스

 

 

1. “사랑은 심폐소생술이 아니에요. 살리려고 하면 안 돼요.”

“Love is not CPR. You shouldn’t try to revive it.”

 

Scene Context

Dongbaek says this to explain that love cannot be forced back to life once it’s over.

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 사랑 (sarang) – love

• 심폐소생술 (simpe sosengsul) – CPR

• 살리다 (sallida) – to revive, to save

• 살려주세요 (sallyeojuseyo) – please save me (used in emergencies)

 

Everyday Expression Example

• 끝난 사랑을 억지로 살리려고 하지 마.

(Don’t try to revive a love that’s already over.)

 

2. “사람은 변하는 게 아니라 커가는 거예요.”

“People don’t change; they grow.”

 

Scene Context

Dongbaek says this to Yong-sik, sharing her view that growth, not change, defines people.

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 사람 (saram) – person

• 변하다 (byeonhada) – to change

• 커가다 (keogada) – to grow

• 성숙하다 (seongsukhada) – to mature

 

Everyday Expression Example

• 난 예전과 달라진 게 아니라, 조금씩 커가고 있는 중이야.

(I haven’t changed, I’m just growing little by little.)

 

출처: 넷플릭스

 

3. “혹시 알아요? 당신이 기적이 될 수도 있잖아요.”

“Who knows? You might become someone’s miracle.”

 

Scene Context

Dongbaek says this while encouraging herself, expressing hope and self-worth.

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 혹시 (hoksi) – by any chance

• 기적 (gijeok) – miracle

• 되다 (doeda) [twe.da] – to become

•가능성 (ganeungseong) – possibility

 

Everyday Expression Example

• 누군가에겐 네 존재 자체가 기적일지도 몰라.

(To someone, your very existence might be a miracle.)

 

출처: 넷플릭스

 

4. “내 인생에 ‘누구 엄마’는 없었으면 좋겠어요. 난 그냥 동백이었으면 좋겠어요.”

“I don’t want to be just ‘someone’s mom’ in my life. I want to be Dongbaek.”

 

Scene Context

Dongbaek expresses her desire to be seen as herself, not just through her role as a mother.

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 인생 (insaeng)– life

• 누구 (nugu) – someone

• 엄마 (eomma) – mom

• 그냥 (geunyang)– just

• 자아 (jaa) – self, identity

 

Everyday Expression Example

• 나도 그냥 ‘누구 엄마’가 아니라, 나 자신으로 살고 싶어.

I want to live as myself, not just as someone’s mom.

 

 

출처: 넷플릭스

 

5. “사람이 사람한테 할 수 있는 최고의 응원은, 네 편이 되어주는 거래요.”

“The best support you can give someone is simply being on their side.”

 

Scene Context

Yong-sik tells this to Dongbaek, showing that real support means loyalty, not advice.

 

Vocabulary Breakdown

• 사람 (saram) – person

• 최고 (choego) – best

• 응원 (eungwon) – support

• 편이 되다 (pyeoni doeda) – to take someone’s side

• 위로하다 (wirohada)  – to comfort

 

Everyday Expression Example

• 난 언제나 네 편이야. 말하지 않아도 알아줘.

I’m always on your side. Even if I don’t say it, just know it.

 

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Im Sang-chun’s dramas are filled with deep emotions and meaningful lessons that can be applied to our daily lives. These lines not only resonate with Korean audiences but also offer valuable insights for learning Korean expressions.

 

 

 

 

Study Tip:

Try using these quotes in your own conversations! Practice saying them out loud, and notice how similar expressions are used in daily Korean.