Pitch Like a K-Drama CEO: Master Your Korean Elevator Pitch!
Hello! This is Maeil Hangeul (Daily Korean), here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever had a brilliant idea for a business? How would you explain it to someone in just 30 seconds… in Korean? Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of start-ups to learn how to deliver a powerful “elevator pitch” (엘리베이터 피치). This is super useful for networking events, business meetings, or even just impressing your friends with your vision!
You know, in Korea these days, the start-up scene is absolutely booming, partly thanks to the influence of hit K-dramas like Start-Up (스타트업)! Everyone dreams of being the next Seo Dal-mi or Nam Do-san. So today, let’s learn the essential phrases you need to sound just as confident and persuasive as they are. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Your Killer Pitch
Here are three essential phrases that will form the backbone of your Korean elevator pitch.
1. 저희 서비스는 ~을/를 해결합니다 (Our service solves…)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jeohui seobiseu-neun ~eul/reul haegyeolhamnida
- English Meaning: Our service solves [the problem].
- Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect opening line! It immediately tells the listener what problem your idea addresses. 저희 (jeohui) is the humble form of “our,” making it polite and professional. 해결합니다 (haegyeolhamnida) means “to solve.” You simply put the problem you are solving in the blank. It’s a direct and powerful way to state your value.
2. ~을/를 타겟으로 합니다 (We are targeting…)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: ~eul/reul taget-euro hamnida
- English Meaning: We are targeting [target audience].
- Detailed Explanation: Who is your customer? This phrase clearly defines your target market. It uses the Konglish (Korean-style English) word 타겟 (taget) for “target,” which is very common in Korean business settings. Using this phrase shows you’ve thought seriously about your business plan.
3. 저희의 차별점은 바로 ~입니다 (Our key differentiator is…)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jeohui-ui chabyeoljeom-eun baro ~imnida
- English Meaning: Our key differentiator is [key feature].
- Detailed Explanation: What makes you special? 차별점 (chabyeoljeom) means “differentiating point” or “unique feature.” The word 바로 (baro) adds emphasis, like “precisely” or “the very thing is…” This phrase makes you sound incredibly confident and highlights what sets you apart from the competition.
Example Dialogue: Pitching at a Networking Event
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation. Imagine B (an entrepreneur) meets A (an investor).
A: 안녕하세요. 어떤 일을 하세요? (Hello. What kind of work do you do?)
B: 네, 안녕하세요! 저희는 새로운 앱을 개발했습니다. 저희 서비스는 바쁜 직장인들이 건강한 식단을 유지하기 어렵다는 점을 해결합니다. (Ah, hello! We’ve developed a new app. Our service solves the problem that busy office workers find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.)
A: 흥미롭네요. 주 고객층은 누구인가요? (That’s interesting. Who is your main customer base?)
B: 저희는 20-30대 직장인들을 타겟으로 합니다. 그들은 건강에 관심은 많지만 시간이 부족하거든요. (We are targeting office workers in their 20s and 30s. They have a lot of interest in health but lack the time.)
A: 좋은 생각이네요. 그런데 비슷한 앱이 많지 않나요? (Good idea. But aren’t there many similar apps?)
B: 맞습니다. 하지만 저희의 차별점은 바로 AI를 활용한 개인 맞춤형 식단 추천 기능입니다. 사용자의 건강 데이터에 맞춰 최적의 메뉴를 제안해 줍니다. (That’s right. However, our key differentiator is the personalized meal recommendation feature using AI. It suggests the optimal menu based on the user’s health data.)
A: 와, 정말 인상적이네요! 드라마 ‘스타트업’에 나오는 아이디어 같아요! (Wow, that’s truly impressive! It sounds like an idea from the drama ‘Start-Up’!)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea’s fast-paced “빨리빨리 (ppalli-ppalli)” or “hurry, hurry” culture, making a strong first impression quickly is essential. That’s why the elevator pitch is so powerful!
The drama Start-Up wasn’t just entertainment; it reflected a real societal trend. The Korean government actively supports young entrepreneurs, and you’ll find start-up incubators and “demo days” (pitching events) all over Seoul.
Pro Tip: When you use business-specific vocabulary like 차별점 (chabyeoljeom) or talk about your 타겟 (taget), it shows you’re not just a learner; you understand the business culture. This will instantly make you sound more professional and fluent to a native Korean speaker. You’re not just speaking Korean; you’re speaking the language of Korean business!
Wrap-up & Practice Time!
Awesome work today! We’ve learned three key phrases to build a confident and effective Korean elevator pitch. Now you’re ready to share your brilliant ideas with the world!
Let’s practice what you’ve learned.
- Fill in the Blank: Your idea is an app that helps people find lost pets. How would you complete this sentence?
저희 서비스는 잃어버린 반려동물을 찾는 어려움을 ___________.
- Make a Sentence: Think of a simple business idea. Who is your target customer? Create a sentence using ~을/를 타겟으로 합니다.
We’d love to hear your ideas! Leave your own mini elevator pitch in the comments using the phrases we learned today! Keep up the great work
