Hello! This is Maeil Hangeul (매일한글), here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you noticed how many new K-pop songs sound like they could have been released in the 90s or 2000s? You’re not imagining things! The “Newtro” (New + Retro) trend is huge in Korea right now, and everyone is falling in love with the vibes of the past.
Today, we’re going to learn how to talk about this trend in Korean. You’ll be able to share your music taste, talk about your favorite throwback songs, and understand why your favorite idols are rocking that Y2K fashion. Let’s dive in!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are some essential phrases to help you join the conversation about retro music.
1. 그때 그 시절 (Geuttae geu sijeol)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: [Geuttae geu sijeol]
- English Meaning: “Back in those days” / “The good old days”
- Detailed Explanation: This is a very nostalgic phrase used to refer to a specific time in the past, often with a fond feeling. It literally means “That time, that era.” You can use it to set the scene when you’re about to talk about something from the past, like music, fashion, or a personal memory.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘ㄸ’ (tt) in ‘그때’ is a tensed consonant. It’s stronger and sharper than the regular ‘ㄷ’ (d/t). To make this sound, don’t release any puff of air. It’s like the ‘t’ sound in the English word “stop.”
2. 추억 돋다 (Chueok dotda)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: [Chueok dotda]
- English Meaning: “It brings back memories” / “So nostalgic!”
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Detailed Explanation: This is a common, slightly informal phrase that perfectly captures the feeling of a memory suddenly sprouting up. ‘추억’ (chueok) means ‘memory,’ and ‘돋다’ (dotda) means ‘to sprout’ or ‘to rise.’ When a song or a picture makes you feel nostalgic, you can say “추억 돋네!” (chueok dotne!).
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The final consonant ‘ㄷ’ (d) in ‘돋다’ is pronounced as a tensed ‘ㄸ’ (tt) sound. This is a pronunciation rule called 된소리되기 (doensoridwegi) or ‘tensing.’ When a consonant like ‘ㄷ’ follows a vowel, it often becomes tense. So, instead of “dot-da,” it sounds more like [돋따 / dot-tta].
3. -(으)ㄴ/는 편이다 (-(eu)n/neun pyeonida)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: [-(eu)n/neun pyeonida]
- English Meaning: “tend to…” / “to be on the side of…”
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Detailed Explanation: This grammar pattern is perfect for expressing your tendencies or preferences in a soft, non-absolute way. Instead of saying “I like old songs,” you can say “저는 옛날 노래를 좋아하는 편이에요” (Jeoneun yennal noraereul joahaneun pyeoniyeyo), which means “I tend to like old songs.” It makes you sound more natural and less direct.
- Use -은/ㄴ 편이다 with adjectives (e.g., 예쁜 편이다 – tends to be pretty).
- Use -는 편이다 with verbs (e.g., 자주 듣는 편이다 – tend to listen often).
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The pronunciation is straightforward, but remember to link the sounds. For example, ‘좋아하는 편이에요’ (joahaneun pyeoniyeyo) will flow together smoothly: [조아하는 펴니에요 / joahaneun pyeonieyo].
4. 취향 저격 (Chwihyang jeogyeok)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: [Chwihyang jeogyeok]
- English Meaning: “Totally my style!” (Literally: “Taste sniper”)
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Detailed Explanation: This is a popular modern slang term! ‘취향’ (chwihyang) means ‘taste’ or ‘preference,’ and ‘저격’ (jeogyeok) means ‘sniping.’ So, when a song, movie, or outfit is so perfect it’s like it “sniped” your heart, you can say it’s 취향 저격. You’ll hear this a lot among younger Koreans.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The final sound in 저격, ‘격’, is pronounced [gyeok]. The ‘ㄱ’ (g) at the beginning of a syllable sounds like a ‘g’, but when it’s the final consonant (받침), it’s an unreleased ‘k’ sound. So, you close your throat as if you’re about to say ‘k’ but don’t release the puff of air.
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation about a new K-pop song!
A: “Have you heard the new song by the group TWS? It has a total 2000s vibe!”
(TWS 신곡 들어봤어? 완전 2000년대 느낌이야!)
B: “I know, right? It’s completely 취향 저격! It reminds me of 그때 그 시절 when I listened to boy bands all day.”
(그러게 말이야. 완전 취향 저격이야! 하루 종일 보이 밴드 노래만 듣던 그때 그 시절이 생각나.)
A: “Exactly! 완전 추억 돋아. Honestly, I think I 오히려 옛날 노래를 더 좋아하는 편이야.”
(맞아! 완전 추억 돋아. 솔직히 나는 오히려 옛날 노래를 더 좋아하는 편인 것 같아.)
B: “Me too! This ‘Newtro’ trend is the best.”
(나도! 요즘 ‘뉴트로’ 유행 너무 좋다.)
Culture Tip: The “Newtro” (뉴트로) Wave
So, what is this Newtro (뉴트로) trend all about? It’s a combination of “New” and “Retro,” and it describes the phenomenon where younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are reinterpreting and enjoying the culture of the past.
It’s not just about K-pop groups like NewJeans or RIIZE bringing back 90s and Y2K sounds. You can see it everywhere in Korea:
* Fashion: Baggy jeans, tracksuits, and colorful accessories are back in style.
* Cafes & Restaurants: Many popular spots are decorated with vintage furniture and serve old-school desserts.
* Media: Dramas like Twenty-Five Twenty-One and movies set in the past have been incredibly successful.
This trend is powerful because it connects generations. Teenagers are discovering the music their parents loved, and it’s creating a shared cultural experience. So, next time you hear a K-pop song with a familiar, old-school beat, you can say, “아, 이거 뉴트로 스타일이네!” (Ah, this is the Newtro style!).
Let’s Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned some fantastic expressions to talk about music and trends like a native. Now, let’s test your knowledge.
1. Fill in the blank:
Listening to this old song is so nostalgic!
이 옛날 노래를 들으니까 완전 ______!
(Answer: 추억 돋아 / chueok doda)
2. Make your own sentence:
Using the -(으)ㄴ/는 편이다 grammar, tell us what kind of music you tend to listen to.
(Example: 저는 조용한 음악을 듣는 편이에요. / I tend to listen to quiet music.)
저는 _________________________ 편이에요.
Now it’s your turn! What’s a song that is totally your style (취향 저격)? Leave a comment below using the phrases you learned today! We’d love to see what you come up with.
