What's lost in translation for Korean drama titles?

It is fun to talk with your friend about your favorite Korean dramas, but when you want to have the same kind of discussion in Korean, there is one extra step you need to take: find out what the original title is in Korean.

Drama titles, as well as movie and book titles, are often translated into slightly (or sometimes very different) forms when compared to the original names. Unlike in the old days when K-drama and movie titles didn't have "official" English translations, nowadays production companies consider various aspects when picking the best translation for a title.

They have to think about the marketability, simplicity and audience expectations of each drama, so they can't always simply offer the "most accurate" translation.

So although it can cause some inconvenience at first, the difference in the original titles of Korean dramas and their translated names offers an interesting opportunity for Korean learners. We made a detailed video for you.

We divided the 30 titles into 4 groups:

Literally the same
Direct translation
Slightly different
Very different

Let's find out how different or similar they are! 👇🏻

Group 1
Literally the same 😎

These dramas have exactly the same title in Korean and English.

무빙 Moving
커피 프린스 Coffee Prince
킹덤 Kingdom
미스터 션샤인 Mr. Sunshine
더 글로리 The Glory
이태원 클라쓰 Itaewon Class
SKY 캐슬 SKY Castle
경성크리처 Gyeongseong Creature
스위트홈 Sweet Home

Group 2
Direct translation 😃

These are direct translations of the orignal Korean titles.

눈물의 여왕 Queen of Tears
응답하라 1988 Reply 1988
해를 품은 달 Moon Embracing the Sun
부부의 세계 The World of the Married
도깨비 Goblin
태양의 후예 Descendants of the Sun

Group 3
Slightly different 👀

These titles are almost direct translations but with slight differences and variations.

미생 Misaeng: Incomplete Life
구르미 그린 달빛 Love in the Moonlight
- literally: Moonlight drawn by the clouds
이상한 변호사 우영우 Extraordinary Attorney Woo
- literally: Strange attorney Woo Young Woo

Group 4
Very different 😲

Tthe English translations of these Korean drama titles are quite different from the original, which makes them even more interesting for you, Korean learners.

별에서 온 그대 My Love from the Star
- literal: you who came from the star
슬기로운 의사생활 Hospital Playlist
- literal: wise doctor life
사랑의 불시착 Crashing Landing on You
- literal: crash landing of love
비밀의 숲 Stranger
- literal: the secret forest / the forest of secrets
환혼 Alchemy of Souls
- literal: exchanging souls
정신병동에도 아침이 와요 Daily Dose of Sunshine
- literal: Morning comes to the psychiatric ward, too
슈룹 Under the Queen's Umbrella
- literal: umbrella
갯마을 차차차 Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
- literal: seaside village cha-cha-cha
일타 스캔들 Crash Course in Romance
- literal: top-tier star lecturer scandal
재벌집 막내아들 Reborn Rich
- literal: conglomerate family’s youngest son
사내맞선 A Business Proposal
- literal: in-company blind date with a prospective marriage partner
사이코지만 괜찮아 It's Okay to Not Be Okay
- literal: She’s a psycho but it’s okay. / You’re a psycho but it’s okay.

What do you think? Were the differences bigger than you had thought? Or smaller? Comparing drama titles between the original Korean version and the translation one will always be a fun activity for Korean learners. If you find any interesting Korean drama title that you would like to have us explain in detail, send us a message!