K-Fashion in AR? Let’s Learn How to Shop in Korean!

K-Fashion in AR? Let’s Learn How to Shop in Korean!

Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Have you ever wished you could try on that cool jacket you saw on a K-drama character without leaving your house? Or see if that stylish sofa would fit in your living room before buying it? Well, you’re in luck! These days in Korea, Augmented Reality (AR) technology is making this possible. Shopping apps are using AR to let you virtually try on clothes or place furniture in your space.

Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean phrases you need to talk about this futuristic shopping experience. Let’s dive in and get you ready to shop like a tech-savvy local in Seoul!

Core Expressions for AR Shopping

Here are three key phrases that will make you sound like a pro when using AR shopping apps.

1. (가상으로) 입어보다 [(gasangeuro) ibeoboda]

• English Meaning: To try on (virtually)
• Detailed Explanation: The base verb is 입어보다 (ibeoboda), which means “to try on clothes.” By adding 가상으로 (gasangeuro), meaning “virtually,” you specify that you’re using technology like AR. You can use this for clothes, glasses, hats, and even makeup! It’s a super useful phrase for modern shopping.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Listen closely to 입어보다 [ibeoboda]. The final consonant ㅂ (b) from the syllable 입 (ip) “moves over” to the next syllable, which starts with a vowel 어 (eo). This is a very common Korean pronunciation rule called 연음 (yeoneum), or linking. So, instead of a choppy ip-eo-bo-da, it flows smoothly as [i-beo-bo-da]. It makes your Korean sound much more natural!

2. 잘 어울리다 [jal eoullida]

• English Meaning: To look good on (someone) / To match well
• Detailed Explanation: This is the ultimate compliment when shopping! You can use it to say that a piece of clothing 잘 어울려요 (jal eoullineyo), “looks good on you.” But it’s not just for fashion! You can also use it to say that a piece of furniture matches the room well, like “이 소파는 거실이랑 잘 어울려요” (This sofa matches the living room well). It’s incredibly versatile.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  The pronunciation of the consonant ㄹ (l/r) can be tricky. In 잘 [jal], it’s a clear ‘L’ sound, with your tongue touching the back of your top teeth. In 어울리다 [eoullida], the double ㄹㄹ also makes a clear ‘L’ sound. Practice saying “jal eoullida” to get the flow right.

3. 배치해 보다 [baechihae boda]

• English Meaning: To try placing (something)
• Detailed Explanation: This phrase is perfect for AR interior design! 배치하다 (baechihada) means “to arrange” or “to place.” By adding the grammar pattern ~아/어 보다 (~a/eo boda), which means “to try doing something,” you get 배치해 보다 (baechihae boda). You would use this when using an app to see how a new table or lamp would look in your room.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Pay attention to the ㅊ (ch) sound in 배치 [baechi]. This is an “aspirated” consonant, meaning you should release a strong puff of air when you say it, like the ‘ch’ in “chart.” It’s stronger than the ㅈ (j) sound in words like 자다 (jada – to sleep). Try holding a piece of paper in front of your mouth—it should flutter when you say 배치 (baechi) correctly!

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation between two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), shopping on their phones.

A: 소라야, 이 쇼핑 앱 좀 봐! AR 기능으로 옷을 입어볼 수 있어.

Sora, check out this shopping app! You can try on clothes with the AR feature.

B: 진짜? 그럼 요즘 인기 있는 드라마 주인공이 입었던 저 재킷 한번 입어봐!

Really? Then try on that jacket the main character from that popular drama was wearing!

A: 알았어. 지금 가상으로 입어보는 중이야. 어때? 나한테 잘 어울려?

Okay. I’m trying it on virtually now. What do you think? Does it look good on me?

B: 와, 완전 너한테 딱이다! 그럼 우리 거실에 놓을 소파도 한번 배치해 보자.

Wow, it’s perfect for you! Then let’s try placing a sofa for our living room, too.

A: 좋은 생각이야. 창문 옆에 배치해 봤는데… 완벽해!

Good idea. I tried placing it next to the window… and it’s perfect!

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

This AR shopping trend is a huge part of Korea’s “untact” (언택트) culture, a popular term combining “un” and “contact” to mean non-face-to-face services. Especially among the younger generation (MZ 세대), using apps like 오늘의집 (Ohouse) for furniture or Musinsa for fashion is the new standard.

They use these AR features to make confident purchases without ever stepping into a store. If you want to sound like a true Korean trendsetter, you could say something like:

• “AR로 배치해 보니까 느낌을 바로 알 수 있어서 좋네.”
  > (It’s great that I can get a feel for it right away by trying to place it with AR.)

Using these phrases shows you’re not just learning Korean; you’re also up-to-date with the latest lifestyle trends in Korea!

Wrap-up & Practice Time!

Great job today! We learned three fantastic expressions for navigating the world of AR shopping in Korea:

• (가상으로) 입어보다 – To try on (virtually)
• 잘 어울리다 – To look good on / match well
• 배치해 보다 – To try placing

Now it’s your turn to practice!

1. Fill in the blank:
   이 모자가 저한테 ______? (Does this hat ______ me?)

2. Make a sentence:
   Imagine you are using an AR app to decorate your room. Write a short sentence using 배치해 보다.

Share your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see what you’d buy or how you’d decorate using AR. Happy learning