K-Drama Lawyer to Real Life: Get Legal Help in Korean!

Hello! This is [Daily Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Have you ever been hooked on a thrilling Korean legal drama like “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” or “Vincenzo”? Lately in Korea, these shows are incredibly popular, making even complex legal topics seem exciting! But what happens when you face a real-life situation that requires legal advice, like a visa problem or a tricky rental contract? Don’t worry! Today, we’ll learn the essential Korean phrases to confidently book a legal consultation and get the help you need.

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are the key phrases that will help you navigate your first call to a Korean law office.

1. 상담을 예약하고 싶어요 (I’d like to book a consultation.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Sangdam-eul yeyakago sipeoyo.
• English Meaning: I’d like to book a consultation.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect opening line. 상담 (sangdam) means “consultation,” 예약하다 (yeyakada) means “to book” or “to reserve,” and the grammar pattern -고 싶어요 (-go sipeoyo) means “I want to…” It’s a polite and direct way to state your purpose.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Notice the smooth flow in ‘예약하고’ [yeyakago]. The final consonant ‘ㄱ(g)’ from ‘예약’ links to the next syllable ‘하’, making it sound like one continuous word rather than “yeyak-hago.” This linking rule, called 연음 (yeoneum), is key to sounding natural!

2. 변호사님과 통화할 수 있을까요? (Can I speak with the lawyer?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Byeonhosanimgwa tonghwahal su isseulkkayo?
• English Meaning: Can I speak with the lawyer?
• Detailed Explanation: Use this if you need a quick word with the lawyer. 변호사 (byeonhosa) is “lawyer,” and -님 (-nim) is a crucial honorific suffix showing respect. 통화하다 (tonghwahada) means “to talk on the phone.” The pattern -ㄹ 수 있을까요? (-l su isseulkkayo?) is a very polite way to ask, “Is it possible to…?”
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  The double ‘ㅆ’ in ‘있을까요’ [isseulkkayo] has a tensed sound. It’s stronger and sharper than a single ‘ㅅ(s)’. Make the sound by tensing the muscles at the front of your tongue, similar to the “ss” in “hiss.”

3. 어떤 서류를 준비해야 하나요? (What documents do I need to prepare?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Eotteon seoryureul junbihaeya hanayo?
• English Meaning: What documents do I need to prepare?
• Detailed Explanation: This is a vital question to ask before your appointment. 어떤 (eotteon) means “which” or “what kind of,” 서류 (seoryu) means “documents,” and 준비하다 (junbihada) is “to prepare.” The grammar -어야/아야 하나요? (-eoya/aya hanayo?) is used to ask about obligations or requirements, meaning “Do I have to…?”
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  In fast, natural speech, the ‘ㅎ(h)’ sound in ‘해야’ [haeya] often becomes very soft or even silent. So, instead of a strong “hae-ya,” it sounds more like a smooth [aeya]. ‘준비해야’ sounds closer to [junbi-aeya].

4. 상담 비용은 얼마예요? (How much is the consultation fee?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Sangdam biyong-eun eolmayeyo?
• English Meaning: How much is the consultation fee?
• Detailed Explanation: A straightforward and important question! 비용 (biyong) means “fee” or “cost,” and 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) is the classic phrase for “How much is it?”
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Here’s that linking rule (연음) again! The final ‘ㅇ(ng)’ consonant in ‘비용’ links with the vowel ‘으’ in the particle ‘은’, so it’s pronounced smoothly as [biyong-eun], not “biyong… eun.”

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation. Here, Alex is calling a law office about a visa issue.

• A (Law Office Staff): 여보세요, 희망 법률 사무소입니다.
  • Yeoboseyo, huimang beomnyul samusoimnida.
  • (Hello, this is Hope Law Office.)
• B (Alex): 안녕하세요. 비자 문제로 상담을 예약하고 싶어요.
  • Annyeonghaseyo. Bija munjero sangdam-eul yeyakago sipeoyo.
  • (Hello. I’d like to book a consultation regarding a visa issue.)
• A (Law Office Staff): 네, 알겠습니다. 방문 전에 어떤 서류를 준비해야 하나요?
  • Ne, algesseumnida. Bangmun jeone eotteon seoryureul junbihaeya hanayo?
  • (Yes, I understand. What documents should I prepare before the visit?)
• B (Alex): 외국인 등록증과 현재 비자 관련 서류를 가져오시면 됩니다.
  • Oegugin deungnokjeung-gwa hyeonjae bija gwallyeon seoryureul gajyeoosimyeon doemnida.
  • (Please bring your Alien Registration Card and current visa-related documents.)
• A (Law Office Staff): 알겠습니다. 혹시 상담 비용은 얼마예요?
  • Algesseumnida. Hoksi sangdam biyong-eun eolmayeyo?
  • (I see. By any chance, how much is the consultation fee?)
• B (Alex): 30분 상담에 7만 원입니다.
  • Samsip bun sangdam-e chil man wonimnida.
  • (It’s 70,000 won for a 30-minute consultation.)

Culture Tip & K-Drama Insights

Become a Korean Pro with this Tip!

Just like you see in K-dramas, professionals in Korea are almost always addressed with the honorific suffix -님 (-nim). Calling a lawyer ‘변호사’ is technically correct, but it can sound blunt or even rude in person. Always use ‘변호사님’ (byeonhosa-nim) to show respect. This is the same for teachers (선생님, seonsaengnim) and doctors (의사님, uisanim). Using ‘-님’ correctly will instantly make you sound more polite and culturally aware!

Many law firms in big cities also offer services for foreigners. Don’t be afraid to ask, “혹시 영어 상담도 가능한가요?” (Hoksi yeong-eo sangdamdo ganeunghangayo? – Is an English consultation also available?).

Let’s Review & Practice!

Great job today! You’ve learned four essential phrases for handling a formal and important task in Korean. Now you’re ready to book that appointment like a pro.

Quick Quiz:

1. You want to ask how much the fee is. What do you say?
   > 상담 ______은/는 얼마예요?
2. How would you politely ask to book a consultation for a housing contract (집 계약, jip gyeyak) issue?
   > (Create a full sentence using today’s expressions!)

You’ve got this! Try answering the quiz questions in the comments below. We’d love to see you practice