Learn Korean Grammar '-는 편이다' with Dear Hyeri (나의 해리에게)
- Cami
- 6일 전
- 3분 분량
Dear Hyeri is a touching K-drama about love and healing. It follows Joo Eun-ho, a news announcer with a split personality brought on by past trauma. While Eun-ho navigates the challenges of her professional life, her second personality, Hyeri, lives a completely different life, working as a parking attendant and forming unexpected relationships. this blog, we’ll explore Korean grammars by breaking down some of the key grammar points used in this one particular scene from this drama:
Script:
주혜리: 제가 여기서 일하는 건 어떻게 아셨나요?
강주연: 얼굴을 알고 있어서. 제가 그쪽을 주차관리소에서 처음 봤을 때부터
주혜리: 아… 역시 내가 너무 예뻤었구나
강주연: 아니요, 앞머리로 얼굴을 가리고 일을 하고 있길래 너무 특이해서
주혜리: 근데 왜 아까부터 자꾸 저한테 그쪽 그쪽 그러시는 거예요?
강주연: 주혜리 씨가 자꾸 생각난다고요
주혜리: 저는 제 이름에 성을 붙이면 기분이 상하는 편이거든요?
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Joo Hyeri: How did you know I work here?
Kang Jooyeon: Because I know your face. Since I first saw you at the parking lot office.
Joo Hyeri: Ah... So, I really was too pretty, huh?
Kang Jooyeon: No, it was because you were covering your face with bangs while working—it was so unique
Joo Hyeri: Then why do you keep referring to me as “that person” since earlier?
Kang Jooyeon: Because I keep thinking about you, Joo Hyeri.
Joo Hyeri: When people add my last name to my first name, it makes me feel upset, you know?
Verb / Adjective + -았/었었- (Double Past Tense)
"역시 내가 너무 예뻤었구나."
"As expected, I used to be so pretty."
Grammar Explanation
The grammar -았/었었- is used to talk about something that happened in the past but doesn’t apply anymore. It’s like saying, “I used to” or “it used to be” in English.
The first -았/었- marks the past tense, and the second -었- adds the "no longer true" nuance.
Take the verb or adjective stem.
Add -았/었 (past tense ending).
Add another -었 to show the action or state has changed.
가다 → 갔었어 (used to go)
예쁘다 → 예뻤었어 (used to be pretty)
Example Sentences
그 식당에 갔었는데 지금은 닫혔어요. I went to that restaurant before, but now it’s closed.
예전에 이 노래를 많이 들었었어요. I used to listen to this song a lot before.
제가 어렸을 때 강아지를 키웠었어요. When I was young, I used to have a puppy.
Real-Life Usage Tip
While the core grammar expresses "used to" or "no longer true",native speakers often use -았/었었- more flexibly in conversations.
In daily speech, it can be used to:
Emphasize a specific past moment or feeling, even if it might still be true now
Create a nostalgic or emotional tone, looking back at the past
예문:
역시 내가 너무 예뻤었구나.→ “Wow… I really was pretty.” (Reflecting emotionally on the past)
그때는 진짜 행복했었어.→ “I was really happy back then.” (It might imply you're not now — or just reminiscing)
Verb / Adjective + -길래 (Cause/Reason)
"앞머리로 얼굴을 가리고 있길래 너무 특이해서."
"You were covering your face with bangs, so I found it so unusual."
Grammar Explanation
-길래 is used to explain why something happened. It’s like saying “because” or “since” based on what you saw, heard, or felt.
Take the verb or adjective stem.
Add -길래 to explain the reason for your action or thought.
하다 → 하길래 (because you did it)
덥다 → 덥길래 (because it was hot)
Example Sentences
Verb / Adjective + -는 편이다 (Tends to/Leans Toward/Generally Is)
"저는 제 이름에 성을 붙이면 기분이 상하는 편이거든요?"
"When people add my last name to my first name, it tends to upset me, you know?"
Grammar Explanation
-는 편이다 is used when you want to say something is “kind of” or “generally” true, but not always. It makes your statement softer or less strong.
For verbs: Add -는 편이다 after the verb stem.
For adjectives: Add 편이다 directly after the adjective.
먹다 → 먹는 편이다 (I tend to eat)
예쁘다 → 예쁜 편이다 (I’m kind of pretty)
Example Sentences
저는 매운 음식을 잘 먹는 편이에요. I tend to eat spicy food well.
그 사람은 조용한 편이에요. That person is generally quiet.
주말에는 집에 있는 편이에요. I usually stay home on weekends.
Dear Hyeri isn’t just an emotional K-drama; it’s also a great way to learn Korean grammar through its meaningful conversations. If you haven’t watched Dear Hyeri yet, I highly recommend it!
Keep practicing, keep watching, and most importantly, have fun along the way! Let me know in the comments which grammar points you’d love to explore next.
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