20 Useful Korean Phrases for Tourists

Learn these 20 phrases to survive your next trip in Korea!

1. 안녕하세요.
   Annyeonghaseyo.
   Hello.
    
2. 저는 ______ 입니다.
   Juhneun ______ ipnida.
   My name is ______.
   Simply fill in the blank with your name.
    
3. 영어 하세요?
   Yonguh haseyo?
   Do you speak English?
    
4. 맛있어요!
   Masshissuhyo!
   It’s delicious!
    
5. 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
   Chunchunhee malsseumhae juseyo.
   Please talk slower.
    
6. 지하철역 어디있어요?
   Jihachulyuk uhdi issuhyo?
   Where is the subway station?
   
   Anytime you want to know where something is, fill in the blank with your desired noun:
   ______ 어디있어요?
   ______ uhdi issuhyo?
   Where is the _____?
   
   EXAMPLES:
   화장실 어디있어요?
   Hwajangshil uhdi issuhyo?
   Where is the restroom?
   
   버스 정류장 어디있어요?
   Bbuhsseu jungryujang uhdi issuhyo?
   Where is the bus station?
   
   병원 어디있어요?
   Byungwon uhdi issuhyo?
   Where is the hospital?
    
7. 도와주세요.
   Dowajuseyo.
   Please help me.
    
8. 경찰에 신고해 주세요.
   Gyungchalae shingohae juseyo.
   Please call the police.
    
9. 의사 필요해요.
   Uisa pilyohaeyo. 
   I need a doctor.
    
10. 여기 어디에요?
    Yuhgi uhdiyaeyo?
    Where am I?
    (For details on asking for and understanding directions, check out Korean Phrases #16.)
     
11. 지도 그려 주실 수 있어요?
    Jido geuryuh jushil soo issuhyo?
    Can you draw me a map?
     
12. 택시 불러 주세요.
    Tekshi bulluh juseyo.
    Please call a taxi for me.
     
13. 공항으로 가주세요.
    Gonghangeuro gajuseyo.
    Please take me to the airport.
    
    But what if you want to go somewhere else? You can fill in the blank with other nouns:
    _______으로 가주세요.
    _______euro gajuseyo.
    Please take me to _______.
     
14. 얼마에요?
    Ulma aeyo?
    How much is it?
    (To learn how to count Korean money, watch KWOW episode 78.)
     
15. 계산해 주세요.
    Gyesanhae juseyo.
    Check, please.
     
16. 카드 받으세요?
    Kadeu badeuseyo?
    Do you accept credit cards?
     
17. 영수증 주세요.
    Yongsujoong juseyo.
    Please give me a receipt.
    
    You can fill in the blank with other nouns:
    ______ 주세요.
    ______ juseyo.
    Please give me ______.
    
    EXAMPLES:
    물 주세요.
    Mool juseyo.
    Please give me water.
    
    반찬 더 주세요.
    Banchan duh juseyo.
    Please give me more side dishes.
    
    소주 주세요.
    Banchan juseyo.
    Please give me soju.
     
18. 네.
    Ne.
    Yes.
    (“Ne” is the formal way of saying “yes.”)
     
19. 아니요.
    Aniyo.
    No.
     
20. 감사합니다.
    Gamsahapnida.
    Thank you.

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Homo Hill: Korea's Gay District

Curious of the alleys tucked away from Itaewon's main drag, Granny Kim and her sidekick Granny Bae explore the famous Homo Hill. Celebrities, locals and foreigners alike party it up at this short yet vibrant street. The grannies dance with a group of hotties and end up at a drag show! You don't want to miss this episode:

Featured hotspots:

1. My Thai
   Phone: (02) 794-8090
   Hours: 11am-2am
   Address: 123-20 Itaewon-dong
   Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
   (in Korean: 서울 용산구 이태원동 123-20)
    
2. MYX
   Phone: (02) 792-7888
   Hours: 6pm-3am on weekdays, 6pm-5am on weekends
   Address: 47 Usadan-ro
   Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
   (in Korean: 서울 용산구 우사단로 47)
    
3. Always Homme
   Phone: (02) 798-0578
   Cover fee: None
   Hours: 7pm-2am on weekdays, 7pm-5am on weekends
   Address: On the right side of Queen. Refer to #5.
    
4. Soho
   Cover fee: None
   Address: Across from Always Homme.
    
5. Queen
   Phone: (10) 2559-4401
   Happy hour: 8-11pm
   Cover fee: None
   Address: 136 Itaewon-dong
   Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
   (in Korean: 서울 용산구 이태원동 136)
   Facebook
    
6. Trance
   Hours: Open after 11pm
   Cover fee: 10,000 won + 1 drink
   Address: On the left side of Queen. Refer to #5.
   FYI: Drag shows after 2am.
    
7. Eat Me
   Address: Located across from Queen. Refer to #5.
   FYI: Take intermission from drinking and savor chicken wings.
    
8. The Bungalow
   Phone: (02) 793-2344
   Address: 112-3 Itaewon-dong
   Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
   (in Korean: 서울 용산구 이태원동 112-3)
   Facebook

The businesses from numbers 3-7 are on Homo Hill. Because it is a short street, you won't take too long to find them. Directions to Homo Hill:

• Exit 3 at Itaewon Station (Seoul Subway Line 6).
• Walk straight for 100 meters and turn right at the first intersections onto Usandan-ro.
• Turn at second left. You'll see the gay-friendly bars and clubs are lined up next to one another.

Enjoy your night out at Itaewon! Cheers :)

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28 Photos Around Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace in front of the Bukhansan Mountain.

Changing of the Guards Ceremony held daily for visitors.

Rooftop of Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall where the king oversaw events and greeted officials.

Doorway to Taewonjeon Shrine, which accommodates the portrait of King Taejo.

Child playing camel with her mother near the palace entrance.

Full view of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall.

On the west of the Throne Hall.

A lonely shot of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall during its closing hour.

Looking towards Geunjeongmun, the third inner gate.

Pond of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with Bukhansan Mountain.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in winter.

Frozen pond in front of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion towards the end of winter.

Standing in the middle arch of Gwanghwamun where the king once walked, looking towards the first inner gate Heungnyemun.

The National Folk Museum of Korea in the distance. It houses nearly 100,000 artifacts from the traditional Korean lifestyle.

The National Folk Museum of Korea with the Hyangwonjeong Pond.

The two-story Hyangwonjeong Pavilion sits on a man-made island.

Jangandang, where King Gojong used to reside.

Walking through the Geunjeong Gate towards Heungnyemun.

The traditional and modern architecture mash-up. From the raised platform of the Throne Hall looking south, you'll see the tall buildings lined up next to Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Statue of King Sejong, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty famed for his contribution in creating the Korean language.

The very happy man acting as a royal guard. Feel free to stare at him all day. Just don't touch him.

The lion-unicorn, known as "haitai," sits in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace to protect the city from natural disasters.

The statue of the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, who never lost a naval battle in his life. In the Battle of Myeongnyang, his ships were outnumbered 13 to 133. Who won? Yi Sun-Sin.

Two women walking and talking. Not the first time seeing people carry boxes on their head.

Street food sold on a triangular island surrounded by roads. Target customers: pedestrians on the way or from Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Chestnuts: one of the healthiest winter street foods. That and sweet potatoes.

Bandaged tree with crutches. During winter trees are wrapped to prevent being frostbitten.

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