Tips for using Korean language/culture in fanfics

안녕하세요~ 저는 7년동안 한국어를 공부하고 있는 팬픽션 작가예요. 한국문화 대한 게 조금 익숙하게 되었어요. 그래서 팬픽션에 한국어 단어를 쓰고 싶다면 꿀팁 알려줄게요.
Hello~ I'm a Fanfiction writer that's been studying Korean for 7 years. I've become a bit accustomed to Korean culture. Therefore, if you want to use Korean words in fanfiction, I'll let you know some tips.

TIP 1: (name)-ah / (name)-ya

Adding -ah and -ya is common when calling someone by just their name.
This is when the person speaking and using -ah/-ya is older or close to the person they are speaking to.
It's a term of endearment.

A lot of people already use "-ah" for names but forget that "-ya" also exists for the same purpose.

Name ends in a vowel (in speaking) use "-ya"
Name ends in a consonant use "-ah"

Example:

ENDS IN A CONSONANT
Jungkook-ah
Namjoon-ah
Dahyun-ah

ENDS IN A VOWEL
Yoona-ya
Mina-ya
Yoongi-ya

TIP 2: Formal / Polite / Casual speech = algesseumnida / algesseoyo / algesso 

Have you heard these in dramas? If you watch a lot of K-Dramas, I'm sure you have.
It means "I understood."

But just FYI-- Formalities in speech and writing exist in Korea. 

algesseumnida = Formal
algesseoyo = Standard Polite
algesso = Informal/Casual

What's the difference between Formal and Standard Polite?

Formal is used when you need to be very formal. Who are you formal to? Elders, Supervisors, Managers, Seniors (at the workplace) and Customers. You don't talk like this to friends or co-workers, right? Reserve this speech when you need to talk in a very formal setting.

Standard Polite is the standard speech which all Koreans use and you can never go wrong in using. It's standard speech and polite at the same time so you will not offend someone if you speak like this. Elders, Bosses, Co-workers, and Strangers.

How about speaking to classmates?

High School setting = If you're in the same grade, you speak informally. But if there is a senior, you will speak standard polite to them. 

College setting = Sometimes your classmates are older, younger, or the same age as you (the age varies especially for guys because they return to school after their military service and classmates suddenly are younger!) Normally, you speak standard polite. Then, you ask for the age and if the person is okay with removing formalities. Usually, outgoing people will ask right away for age and formalities to be dropped. But if you're timid, you'd speak standard polite all the way. 

I think this will help any writer who write in High School settings but use standard polite to classmates. There's a disconnect so hopefully this serves as a guide :D

TIP 3: Military Service

Wikipedia has more information about this but if you need a quick tip on how to write around military service

If you pass the health examination, you'll serve 21 months at your hometown's base or whichever base the drafting administation assigns you. If you wish to serve in the Navy or Air Force, this requires longer service and intensive training before service. It can range between 23 to 26 months.

If you do not pass the health examination, you will serve longer as a public service officer. These are administrative work and more office-based tasks. 23 months of service for those with health concerns.

Because the other positions require longer service, everyone hopes they are conscripted as a regular soldier.

Usually, male students would be drafted right after high school 19~20 years old. Or, if they enter University immediately, they stop their studies to serve the military then come back and they become classmates with a younger batch of students. This is normal in Korea.


So there. Shared with you 3 TIPS! All of them are all about Korean culture and language. It depends on what you want to write. My tips may not even be applicable to your fanfic's setting. But I hope you learned something~ Thanks for reading!

Comments

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jcnafaiz
#1
(≧∇≦)b
I'm not even a writer but at least I learned something from your tips (^_^.)
SheirynFiya
#2
Woah i didnt know tht was the way to use the first tip! This was pretty awesome to read
everlandmirror
#3
This will be helpful for me thank you :}
LilMinMinniexx
#4
very helpful, thank you.
puchanli
#5
ah, this is really helpful! especially when i figured out that i made a mistake with (name)-ah / (name)-ya thing, fjsdhfsdj. anyway, thank you for sharing the tips! i'm going to remember these. korean language is an amazing language and i really appreciate the beautiful culture it has : )