Phase 1: Introduction
Hello! This is your Senior Editor at Daily Hangul.
So, you’ve finally reached a B2 level. You can read a Webtoon episode without constantly looking up the dictionary. Congratulations! You scroll down to the bottom, feeling proud, and decide to check the comments to see what other Korean readers think.
But then… panic sets in. 😱
“Why is everyone talking about Sweet Potatoes (고구마)?”
“What is ‘Cider’ (사이다)? Is the character thirsty?”
“Why are people ‘lying down’ (눕습니다)?”
Welcome to the real battlefield of K-Content: The Comment Section (댓글창).
To be honest, reading the webtoon is only 50% of the experience. The other 50% is reading the witty, sarcastic, and passionate reactions in the Best Comments (베스트 댓글 or ‘베댓’). Understanding these nuances is the difference between an outsider and a true ‘In-ssa’ (Insider).
Today, I’m going to teach you the specific slang used in Webtoons and Web Novels so you can not only understand the vibe but maybe even write a ‘Bedat’ yourself!
Phase 2: Deep Dive into Core Expressions
Here are the top 3 expressions you must know to survive the comment section.
1. 사이다 (Sa-i-da) vs. 고구마 (Go-gu-ma)
These two go hand-in-hand. They describe the pacing and emotional satisfaction of the plot.
- Pronunciation:
- 사이다: [Sa-i-da] (Sounds like ‘Cider’ but think Lemon-Lime soda)
- 고구마: [Go-gu-ma] (Goh-goo-mah)
- Meaning:
- 사이다: Literally “Lemon-Lime Soda” (like Sprite). Figurally, it means a refreshing, satisfying moment where justice is served, or the protagonist destroys the villain.
- 고구마: Literally “Sweet Potato.” Figurally, it describes a frustrating, slow situation where misunderstandings pile up. (Imagine eating a dry sweet potato without water—your chest feels stuffy, right?)
- Editor’s Insight:
If the main character finally slaps the bully, the comments will be flooded with emoji🥤. If the main character keeps hiding a secret for 10 episodes, expect 🍠 emojis. - Situation Check:
- Casual: Yes (Friends, Internet).
- Formal: No. Do not tell your boss his presentation was “Goguma.”
2. 떡밥 (Tteok-bap)
- Pronunciation: [Tteok-bap] (The ‘Tt’ is a strong, tensed T sound)
- Meaning:
- Literal: Rice paste bait (for fishing).
- Real Nuance: Foreshadowing / Plot Clues.
- Common Phrases:
- 떡밥을 뿌리다 (Sprinkle bait): The author drops a clue.
- 떡밥을 회수하다 (Recover bait): The clue is explained/resolved later.
- Editor’s Insight:
Korean readers love a genius author who plans everything. When a mystery from Episode 1 is solved in Episode 100, we scream “Wow, look at this tteokbap retrieval!” (떡밥 회수 대박!)
3. 하차합니다 (Ha-cha-ham-ni-da)
- Pronunciation: [Ha-cha-ham-ni-da]
- Meaning:
- Literal: I am getting off (the bus/train).
- Real Nuance: “I’m dropping this series.”
- Editor’s Insight:
This is the ultimate threat. When the story gets too “Goguma” (frustrating) or the art style changes, readers will leave this comment to show their disappointment. It’s a passive-aggressive way of telling the author, “You lost me.”
Phase 3: Textbook vs. Real Life
Let’s see how a standard learner speaks versus a Webtoon addict.
| Textbook / Standard (B2) | Real Korean Comment (Slang/Net) |
|---|---|
| 이야기 전개 속도가 너무 느리고 답답해요. (The story development is too slow and frustrating.) |
아 진짜 고구마 100개 먹은 것 같네. 🍠 (Ah, seriously feels like I ate 100 sweet potatoes.) |
| 주인공이 복수해서 속이 시원해요! (It’s refreshing because the protagonist got revenge!) |
오늘 전개 완전 사이다! 🥤 (Today’s development is total Cider!) |
| 작가가 예전에 암시했던 내용이 드디어 나왔어요. (The content the author implied before finally appeared.) |
와 작가님 떡밥 회수 미쳤다… ㄷㄷ (Wow, author-nim’s bait retrieval is insane… shivers) |
Note: ‘ㄷㄷ’ stands for 후덜덜 (hu-deol-deol), representing shivering from shock or goosebumps.
Phase 4: Cultural Context & Manners
The “Bedat” (베댓) Culture
In Korea, the Best Comment (베스트 댓글) is almost as important as the content itself. The comments with the most ‘Likes’ get pinned to the top.
- Spoiler Alert (스포 주의): Koreans are very sensitive to spoilers (스포). If you read the novel version and know what happens next in the webtoon, do NOT post it without a warning. You will get ‘Disliked’ (비추) into oblivion.
- Nunchi (눈치): If everyone is praising the art, don’t leave a comment saying it looks ugly unless you want to fight. The top comment usually sets the “mood” of the room.
- Writer Worship: It’s common to call the author “Teacher” (작가님) or even “God” (갓 + name, e.g., 갓시우) if the episode was amazing.
Phase 5: Roleplay Scenario
Setting: Two friends, Min-ji (Korean) and Alex (Foreigner), are discussing the latest episode of a popular thriller webtoon.
Min-ji: (Scrolling furiously on her phone) 와, 대박. 이번 화 봤어?
(Wow, daebak. Did you see this episode?)
Alex: 응, 방금 다 읽었어. 근데 마지막 장면 이해가 잘 안 돼.
(Yeah, I just finished it. But I don’t really understand the last scene.)
Min-ji: (Eyes widening) 야, 그게 1화에 나왔던 떡밥이잖아! 소름 돋았어.
(Hey, that was the ‘bait’ (clue) from Episode 1! I got goosebumps.)
Alex: 아, 진짜? 난 그냥 전개가 느려서 고구마라고 생각했는데.
(Ah, really? I just thought the plot was slow so it was ‘sweet potato’.)
Min-ji: 에이, 조금만 기다려 봐. 다음 주에 완전 사이다 장면 나올 거야.
(Ey, just wait a bit. Next week a total ‘Cider’ scene will come out.)
Phase 6: 10-Second Shadowing Drill
Let’s practice a sentence you can say when a Webtoon ends with a massive cliffhanger.
“Please give me the next episode! I can’t wait a week!”
다음 화 / 빨리 주세요 / 현기증 난단 / 말이에요!
[Da-eum hwa / ppal-li ju-se-yo / hyeon-gi-jeung nan-dan / ma-ri-e-yo!]
- Focus Point: Emphasize ‘현기증’ (dizziness). It’s a popular meme phrase meaning “I’m so desperate I’m dizzy.”
Phase 7: FAQ & Troubleshooting
- Q: Can I use ‘Saida’ and ‘Goguma’ in real life, not just online?
- A: Yes! You can use it with close friends. “My boss is so Goguma today.” (Remember, informal contexts only!)
- Q: What does ‘쿠키’ (Cookie) mean in comments?
- A: On Naver Webtoon, you pay with ‘Cookies’ to see episodes early. If someone says “I burned 5 cookies” (쿠키 5개 구웠다), it means they paid to read ahead because the cliffhanger was too intense.
Phase 8: Wrap-up
One-Liner Summary:
Use ‘Cider’ for satisfying moments, ‘Goguma’ for frustrating ones, and look out for ‘Tteokbap’ (clues) to enjoy Webtoons like a local.
Action Mission:
Go to a Korean Webtoon or YouTube video comments section today. Find a comment with a 🍠 (Sweet Potato) or 🥤 (Drink) emoji and try to understand why they used it!
Phase 9: Quiz
1. Which word best describes a situation where the villain gets away with a crime again?
A) 사이다 (Cider)
B) 고구마 (Goguma)
C) 떡밥 (Tteokbap)
2. The author finally explains a mystery shown in Episode 3. What is this called?
A) 떡밥 회수 (Bait retrieval)
B) 하차 (Getting off)
C) 악플 (Malicious comment)
3. True or False: You should always post spoilers in the comments to help others understand.
A) True
B) False
(Answers: 1. B, 2. A, 3. B)
