Rating language level difficulty in K-dramas: Extraordinary Attorney Woo

What is the show about?

For the first in my series of blog posts where I analyse language difficulty popular Korean dramas, I would ilke to talk about one of my favourite dramas: Extraordinary Attorney Woo. The show is funny, heartwarming, insightful and full of interesting commentary about Korean social issues. You may enjoy it for the romance, for law and courtroom drama, or you may be interested in some less-discussed topics such as disability in Korean society, or overworked school children (that one episode about "Children Liberation Army" caused quite a stir!). The episode about a relationship between a woman with intelectual impairment and a non-disabled men was particulary interesting too, and I appreciated how the show didn't force a one-sided conclusion to such complex and nuanced situations.
To some extent, that reflects in the situation of the main character, the genious attorney Woo Young-woo who was diagnosed with autism at a young age, and spent her first years of life non verbal - only reading law books and memorising the laws. Despite her perfect marks, she was discriminated against in hiring process, and later both at work and in the courtroom. She is constantly facing adversity both in her professional and private life, but the show is not overly melodramatic and attempts to provide a realistic portrayal of some facets of autism. Even though it may not be perfect, and it surely does not represent everyone on the spectrum, most online sources agree that the show is mostly a positive represenation of an autistic character.

How did I analyse it?

Despite being legal drama, the language used in Extrordinary Attorney Woo is not incredibly difficult to follow. However, I didn't want to base this on my intuition only. Using NLP (Natural language processing) methods - my other degree is in computational linguistics - I compared transcript of all 16 episodes agains the list of most common Korean words. The idea is that dramas with high frequency of simple vocabulary and grammar should be easier to understand.
Next, I looked for specialised vocabulary (in this case: legal jargon and disability-related terms), as well as colloquialisms and slang which might be difficult to discern for beginners.
Here's a summary of what I found!

High frequency of common Korean words

In the subtitles, there were many common words. That is not a surprising find - that's precisely what frequency is - but here's a breakdown which words from the common 300 word list appear in the drama subtitles a lot.

• Pronouns: 나 (I), 너 (you), 우리 (we), 저 (I - humble)
  
• Verbs: 하다 (to do/to be), 있다 (to exist/to have/to be), 없다 (to not exist/to not have/to not be), 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), 보다 (to see/to watch/to look), 말하다 (to speak/to say/to talk), 되다 (to become/to get/to be possible), 알다 (to know/to understand), 주다 (to give), 울다 (to cry), 웃다 (to laugh), 춤추다 (to dance)
  
• Adjectives: 좋다 (good), 나쁘다 (bad), 크다 (big), 작다 (small), 높다 (high), 낮다 (low)
  
• Nouns (people and family): 아버지 (father), 어머니 (mother), 아들 (son), 딸 (daughter), 사람 (person), 친구 (friend), 가족 (family)
• Nouns (things and places): 물 (water), 음식 (food), 책 (book), 영화 (movie), 돈 (money), 집 (house), 학교 (school), 회사 (company), 도시 (city), 나라 (country)
• Nouns (abstract): 시간 (time), 일 (work/matter), 이름 (name), 사랑 (love), 생각 (thought)

Now let's have a look at some example sentences with most common verbs!

1. 하다 (hada): "to do/to be" - This fundamental verb is highly versatile in Korean and likely appears frequently throughout the subtitles. It is often used as a modifier of descriptive and action verbs, like in the examples below.
Its usage can be observed in [Episode 1] as part of idiomatic expressions like '내 아이가 특별한 거 아닐까?' ('Could it be that my child is special?'). In [Episode 2], '고래 얘기가 꼭 필요한 상황이라면?' ('What if there's a situation where talking about whales is absolutely necessary?').
"변호사? 너는… 너는 그게 중요하니? 어?" - "A lawyer? Is that... is that important to you?" 

2. 있다 (itda): "to exist/to have/to be (in a location)" - Another essential verb indicating presence or possession. Its frequent occurrence is expected in the subtitles. sometimes in its original meaning of "to exist/to have", and sometimes as an auxiliary verb and part of grammatical constructions (like -su itda, to be able to).
"아, 돈 있냐고 물어봤을 때 '네, 네' 했다고": This sentence from [Episode 12] translates to "When I asked if he had money, he said 'yes, yes'."
"만약 우영우 변호사가 의뢰인 만날 수 있고 재판 나갈 수 있는 수준이 아니라고 판단되면": This sentence from [Episode 1] means "If it is judged that lawyer Woo Young-woo is not at the level of being able to meet clients and go to court."

3. 없다 (eopda): "to not exist/to not have/to not be (in a location)" - The negative counterpart to "있다," equally crucial in forming basic sentences.
This verb can be found in [Episode 3], '절대로 죽일 마음은 없었습니다' ('I absolutely had no intention of killing').

4. 가다 (gada): "to go" - A common action verb for movement.  
"우영우 변호사가 나가세요": This sentence from [Episode 7] translates to "Lawyer Woo Young-woo, please go out." While this sentence uses 나가세요 (nagaseyo), the imperative form of 나가다 (to go out), it implies a request for Young-woo to come to a different location, possibly to meet with someone or to address a specific situation.
"3번 테이블 심부름으로 로또 사러 간다고요": Found in [Episode 11], this sentence translates to "He said he was going to buy a lottery ticket for an errand at table 3." The key phrase is "로또 사러 간다고요" (lotto sareo gandagoyo), meaning "going to buy a lottery ticket." The verb "간다고요" (gandagoyo) is a conjugation of 가다 (gada) used in indirect speech, conveying what someone said about going somewhere.

5. 오다 (oda): "to come" - The counterpart to "가다," indicating movement towards a point. Like "가다," it is likely a frequently used verb in the dialogue. 
"아빠 왔다"  - "Dad is here" or "Dad has come." [Episode 1]
"저기 오네요, 재떨이"  - "There he comes, Ashtray."  This sentence shows the derogatory way a gangster refers to a young man who performs menial tasks. While the literal translation is "ashtray," it is used here as a demeaning nickname. "오네요" (oneyo) is a polite form of 오다 (oda), indicating that the speaker sees the young man approaching. 
"태수미 변호사님 오셨습니다"  – "Lawyer Tae Sumi has arrived."  This sentence, spoken in a formal setting, uses the honorific form "오셨습니다" (osyeotseumnida) to indicate the arrival of a respected lawyer. 

6. 보다 (boda): "to see/watch/look" - A verb related to visual perception. It is also used as an ending, meaning "to try to do something".
"내가 좀 봐 줘": This sentence from [Episode 8] translates to "Please cover for me." The phrase "봐 줘" (bwa jwo) comes from 보다 (boda) and means "to look after" or "to take care of". 
"이거를 한번 보시겠어요? 자": "Would you take a look at this?" The phrase "보시겠어요" (bosigesseoyo) is the honorific form of 보다 (boda), meaning "to see" or "to look at." In this context, it is a polite request for someone to examine something. 
"자, 이거나 좀 드셔 봐": This sentence, from [Episode 2], translates to "Here, try some of this." The key phrase is "드셔 봐" (deusyeo bwa), which is a polite imperative form of 보다 (boda), used as an auxiliary verb with 드시다 (deusida) used for honorific speech. In this context, it encourages someone to try the food. 

7. 말하다 (malhada): "to speak/to say/to talk" - A crucial verb for communication. Sometimes just 말 appears on its own.
"변호인이 말하는 겁니다": This sentence from [Episode 1] translates to "The lawyer is speaking". The verb 말하다 (malhada) is used in the present progressive tense, indicating an ongoing action. 
"그땐 경찰이 앞에 있으니까 긴장이 돼서 말이 그렇게 나왔고": This sentence from [Episode 3] translates to "At that time, the police were in front of me, so I was nervous and that's how I spoke." The verb 말하다 (malhada) is used as a noun, meaning "words" or "speech." The sentence describes the reason behind someone's previous statement, implying that their words were influenced by nervousness and the presence of authority figures.

8. 되다 (doeda): "to become/ to get/ to be possible" - A versatile verb expressing change or possibility. It is likely to be frequently used in grammar structures, like expressing obligation (heya doeda). [Episode 8] contains an example, '내가 얼마를 받아야 되겠습니까?' ('How much should I receive?').
"민법 자기도 안대, 근데 안 된대": "He doesn't know civil law himself, but he says no." This sentence implies that another individual lacks knowledge of civil law. "안 된대" (an doendae) means "He says it's not possible", as this verb can be used for refusal.

9. 알다 (alda): "to know/ to understand" - A common verb for expressing knowledge or comprehension. Its frequent appearance in the subtitles is highly probable.
"그럼 뭔지 알아요?" - "Then do you know what it is?" [Episode 8] 
"와글이라는 커뮤니티 사이트를 알고 계십니까?" – "Are you aware of the community site called Wagle?" [Episode 7]
This sentence, spoken in a courtroom, shows the formal and interrogative form of 알다 (alda). The ending "-(으)십니까" (-(eu)simnikka) is used in formal settings, especially when addressing someone of higher social standing or during official proceedings.
The negative form of 알다 (alda) is 모르다 (moreuda): "to not know".  Its usage can be seen in [Episode 9], '손해가 어떻게 나뉘는지도 모르셨습니까?' ('You didn't even know how damages are divided?').

10. 주다 (juda): "to give" - A basic action verb involving the transfer of something. It is likely to occur frequently, especially in scenes with interactions and exchanges. Sometimes it can be combined with other verbs to explain an action that you do for someone.
"야, 준호야, 일단 번호를 쭉 나눠 줘": "Hey, Jun-ho, give out the numbers in order." This sentence showcases the informal imperative form of 주다 (juda), "줘" (jwo). It demonstrates a casual and direct request. 
"수임료는 얼마든지 드릴 테니까 제발 계란 편에 서 주세요, 예?": "I'll give you any amount of attorney fees, so please side with the egg."  This sentence features the verb "서다" (seoda) meaning "to stand" combined with 주다 (juda) to create "서 주다" (seo juda) meaning "to stand by (someone's) side" or "to support (someone). " It also contains the honorific form of 주다 )(드릴 테니까)

Jargon, colloquialisms and slang

There are some expression used in this drama that require both high level of vocabulary knowledge, cultural background, or Korean phonetics. It is possible to follow story without picking up on every single detail, but here are some of them. 

1. Legal jargon and specialised vocabulary - some examples

● 자폐성 장애 (Japeusong Jange): This term, appearing in [Episode 1], translates to "autistic disorder." It is a clinical term used to diagnose the main character's condition and is likely to reappear in discussions about her legal competency and workplace challenges.
● '구체적 사실을 적시하는 것이 아니고' ("not stating specific facts") and '경멸하는 태도로 사람의 명예와 감정' ("with a contemptuous attitude, [harming] a person's honor and feelings") in [Episode 1] are phrases uttered by young Woo Young-woo while quoting a legal definition. It contains legal jargon which is difficult to comprehend for beginners (and perhaps does not sound too easy for young native speakers, making this scene more effective).
● "자격 미달인지 아니면 장애인에 대한 제 편견인지 시험해 보겠습니다" ("I will test whether it is a lack of qualification or my prejudice against people with disabilities") from [Episode 1] is a statement made by a senior lawyer. This reveals legal concerns about qualifications and potential discrimination, themes likely to recur in legal arguments. This is an example of a sentence with a lot of intermediate and above vocabulary.
● "이의 기각합니다" from [Episode  6] is a formal legal statement meaning "The objection is overruled." This phrase showcases a legal procedure within the courtroom setting. You will here a lot of similar phrases throughout the courtroom scenes.

2. Some colloquialisms, slang and wordplay

● "내 자존심에 똥칠한 값이요" from [Episode 2] literally translates to "the price of smearing poop 💩on my pride". This expression is clearly not literal and is used to convey a strong sense of humiliation and demand for compensation.
● "똑바로 읽어도 거꾸로 읽어도 우영우" ("In which ever order you read it, it's the same, Woo Young-Woo") and "기러기, 토마토, 스위스 인도인, 별똥별, 우영우" are heard in almost every episode where Attorney Woo introduces herself. These are playful phrases revolving around palindromes, and an example of echolalia of the main character. The English subtitles choose different English palindromes to illustrate the idea (Kayak, deed, rotator, non and racecar).

● "오저치고", "뜨밤"  and "수제비수제비"  in [Episode 10] are revealed to be internet slang terms. Their inclusion suggests the drama's attempt to incorporate contemporary online language trends. "뜨밤" ("뜨겁다" (tteugeopda),  "hot," +"밤" (bam), "night) is slang for a passionate or romantic night, often implying a sexual encounter.
● "한 쌍의 원앙 같습니다" from [Episode 11] compares a couple to a pair of mandarin ducks, a symbol of love and fidelity in Korean culture. This is a figurative expression likely used for comedic effect in a more casual setting.
● "몸에 좋아 칵테일" from [Episode 11] is a humorous play on words. While "cocktail" might not be slang itself, the phrase's intent is to create a funny, informal interaction.
● "재떨이" (Ashtray) in [Episode 11] is used as a nickname for someone who runs errands, highlighting a potentially derogatory slang term within a workplace context.
● "국물 퍼 먹으면서도 몰랐네" from [Episode 12] is an informal expression implying obliviousness, like "couldn't even notice while slurping soup". This type of figurative language points towards colloquial speech patterns.

Final Verdict

Even though I wouldn't call Extraordinary Attorney Woo a drama for beginners in Korean language, even beginners might recognise some common nouns, verbs and grammar. Learners of all levels will get acquainted with some legal terminology because it's commonly repeated. 

What makes it slighly difficult:

• Use of Idioms and Colloquialisms: The subtitles showcase instances of idiomatic expressions and informal language, such as "고르고 골라 고르곤졸라" (picking and choosing, it's Gorgonzola)  and "내 자존심에 똥칠한 값이요" (the price for smearing my pride) . Understanding these phrases requires familiarity with Korean culture and colloquialisms, which can pose a challenge.
• Legal Jargon: As a legal drama, it features legal terminology, such as "적극적 손해" (positive damage) and "소극적 손해" (negative damage). While the drama explains some of these terms, prior knowledge of legal concepts can be beneficial
  
• Wordplay and Puns: The drama utilizes wordplay and puns, as seen in the use of "혜모바" (Hye-mo-ba) and "양모바" (Yang-mo-ba) as nicknames . Appreciating these jokes requiresa solid grasp of Korean phonetics and word formation.
  
• Speed and Clarity: The subtitles reflect the natural flow of spoken Korean, which can be fast-paced at times. The clarity of pronunciation and articulation might vary depending on the characters and situations, demanding attentive listening.
  
• Formal and Informal Speech Styles: The drama has many examples of use of both formal and informal Korean speech styles, as demonstrated in the examples of "보내시다" (bonaesida) and "줘" (jwo) for the verb 주다 (juda). Discerning the appropriate speech level based on context is crucial for understanding social dynamics.
  

The drama is fun and definitely recommended, and you might benefit from watching it with bilingual subtitles using Language Reactor. Check out our blog post about how to use it!

Drama rating: 9/10
Language difficulty rating: 6.5/10