Gangneung Trip? Ask “어때?” and Sound Like a Native!

Gangneung Trip? Ask “어때?” and Sound Like a Native!

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

Are you and your friends planning a trip? Or maybe you just want to share your opinion on a new movie or restaurant? Today, we’re going to learn how to ask for and give opinions in Korean, a super useful skill for everyday conversations!

These days in Korea, with summer approaching, everyone is talking about where to go for their vacation. A super trendy spot right now is Gangneung (강릉), a beautiful city on the east coast. Let’s learn how to chat about planning a trip there, just like a local!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are three essential expressions to help you join the conversation.

1. ~는 거 어때요? (~neun geo eottaeyo?)

• Pronunciation: [neun geo eo-ttae-yo?]
• English Meaning: How about doing ~? / What do you think about ~?
• Detailed Explanation: This is the most common and natural way to suggest something or ask for someone’s opinion on an action. You attach it to a verb stem. It’s polite (because of the 요 ending) but very friendly.
  • How to use: Take a verb like 가다 (gada – to go), remove 다, and add ~는 거 어때요? → 가는 거 어때요? (ganeun geo eottaeyo? – How about going?).

2. 좋은 생각이에요. (Jo-eun saeng-gag-i-eyo.)

• Pronunciation: [jo-eun saeng-ga-gi-e-yo]
• English Meaning: That’s a good idea.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect positive response to a suggestion! 좋은 (jo-eun) means “good,” and 생각 (saenggak) means “thought” or “idea.” You can use this in almost any situation, from casual chats with friends to more formal settings.

3. 완전 기대돼요! (Wanjeon gidae-dwaeyo!)

• Pronunciation: [wan-jeon gi-dae-dwae-yo]
• English Meaning: I’m so excited! / I’m really looking forward to it!
• Detailed Explanation: Want to express your excitement? This is the phrase for you! 기대돼요 (gidae-dwaeyo) means “I’m looking forward to it.” Adding 완전 (wanjeon), which means “totally” or “completely,” is very common, especially among younger Koreans. It adds extra emphasis and makes you sound more natural.

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation between two friends, Alex and Sujin.

A (Alex): 수진 씨, 우리 휴가 때 강릉에 가는 거 어때요?

Sujin, how about we go to Gangneung for our vacation?

B (Sujin): 와! 좋은 생각이에요! 강릉 바다도 보고, 맛있는 커피도 마셔요!

Wow! That’s a good idea! Let’s see the ocean in Gangneung and drink delicious coffee!

A (Alex): 네! 그리고 드라마 ‘도깨비’ 촬영지에도 갈 수 있어요! 완전 기대돼요!

Yes! And we can go to the filming location for the drama ‘Goblin’! I’m so excited!

B (Sujin): 저도요! 빨리 가고 싶어요!

Me too! I want to go soon!

Culture Tip: Why is Everyone in Korea Going to Gangneung?

You heard Alex and Sujin talking about Gangneung, and there’s a good reason why it’s so popular!

• The K-Drama Effect: Gangneung is home to the iconic breakwater from the mega-hit drama ‘Goblin’ (도깨비). Many Koreans and tourists visit Jumunjin Beach (주문진 해변) to recreate the famous scene. If you use the phrase 완전 기대돼요! when talking about visiting this spot, your Korean friends will know you’re a true K-drama fan!
• Coffee City: The city has a famous “Coffee Street” along Anmok Beach (안목해변) with dozens of cafes overlooking the ocean. It’s a must-visit for coffee lovers.
• Instagrammable Spots: Between the beautiful beaches, unique cafes, and famous drama locations, Gangneung is the perfect place for amazing photos. Korean Gen Z (Z세대) loves sharing their Gangneung trip on Instagram. Knowing these trends will make your conversations even more relevant!

Let’s Practice!

Time to review what we’ve learned. You can do it!

1. Fill in the blank: You want to suggest watching a movie with a friend. How would you say, “How about we watch a movie?”
   • 영화 보___ ___ ___? (yeonghwa bo___ ___ ___?)
2. Make a sentence: You just heard that your favorite K-pop group is having a comeback. How would you express your excitement? (Hint: Use the phrase for “I’m so excited!”)

Great job today! Learning these simple phrases for sharing opinions will make your Korean conversations so much more dynamic and fun.

Now it’s your turn! Leave a comment below using one of the expressions you learned today. For example, tell us something you’re excited about!