Insadong Shopping: More Than Just ‘How Much Is It?’

Hello! It’s your favorite Korean booster, [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Today, we’re taking a virtual trip to the beautiful, traditional streets of Insadong (인사동) in Seoul. Imagine you’re surrounded by gorgeous pottery, elegant fans, and unique handmade crafts. You want to buy the perfect souvenir, but how do you go beyond just pointing and paying? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

You know, lately in Korea, traditional items are making a huge comeback! It’s super trendy for young people to buy things like lucky charms (norigae) or beautifully painted fans (buchae) as thoughtful gifts or even as fashion accessories. You might even spot your favorite K-pop idol with one! So, let’s learn the key phrases you need to shop for these trendy treasures like a local.

Core Expressions for Your Shopping Spree

Here are three essential phrases that will make your shopping experience in Insadong smooth and fun!

1. 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Igeo eolmayeyo?
• English Meaning: How much is this?
• Detailed Explanation: This is the golden phrase for any shopping situation! ‘이거’ (igeo) means ‘this thing’, and ‘얼마예요?’ (eolmayeyo?) means ‘how much is it?’. It’s a polite and universal way to ask for the price, whether you’re in a bustling market or a quiet little shop.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Listen closely to ‘얼마예요’ [eolmayeyo]. Although it’s written as four separate syllables (e-ol-ma-ye-yo), native speakers say it very smoothly, almost like one flowing word. The key is to link the sounds together without pausing. Practice saying it faster and faster: eolma-yeyo, eolmayeyo!

2. 좀 깎아 주세요. (Please give me a little discount.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jom kkakka juseyo.
• English Meaning: Please give me a little discount.
• Detailed Explanation: This phrase can be your best friend in traditional markets! ‘좀’ (jom) means ‘a little’ and softens the request, making it sound more polite. ‘깎아 주세요’ (kkakka juseyo) is the core request ‘please cut the price’. While it’s perfectly acceptable in markets like Insadong or Namdaemun, you wouldn’t use this in a department store or a franchise coffee shop. A friendly smile is the secret ingredient when using this phrase!
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  The challenge here is the ‘ㄲ’ (kk) sound in ‘깎아’ [kkakka]. This is a “tensed” consonant. To make this sound, you tighten the muscles at the back of your throat and release the sound without a puff of air. It’s sharper and stronger than a regular ‘ㄱ’ (g). Think of the hard ‘c’ sound in the English word “scy”. It’s not a soft ‘gaga’ but a sharp [KKA-kka]!

3. 선물하기 좋겠어요. (This would be great for a gift.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Seonmulhagi jokkesseoyo.
• English Meaning: This would be great for a gift. / It seems good for a gift.
• Detailed Explanation: This is a fantastic phrase to use while you’re browsing. ‘선물하기’ (seonmulhagi) means ‘giving a gift’, and the grammar pattern ‘~기 좋겠어요’ (~gi jokkesseoyo) means ‘it would be good to…’. Saying this shows the shopkeeper you’re seriously considering the item for someone special. It’s a great way to start a friendly conversation and show your appreciation for the craft.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Let’s look at ‘좋겠어요’ [jokkesseoyo]. You might expect to pronounce the ‘ㅎ’ (h) sound in ‘좋’, but when ‘ㅎ’ is followed by a consonant like ‘ㄱ’ (g), it often becomes silent or merges with the next sound. So, instead of a clunky “joh-get-sseo-yo,” the ‘ㅎ’ disappears, and the pronunciation becomes a smooth and natural [jokkesseoyo]. This is a super common pronunciation rule that will make you sound much more like a native speaker!

Example Dialogue in Insadong

Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation!

• A: Shopkeeper
• B: You (The savvy shopper!)

A: 어서 오세요! 천천히 구경하세요.
(Eoseo oseyo! Cheoncheonhi gugyeonghaseyo.)
(Welcome! Please take your time and look around.)

B: 와, 이 부채 정말 예쁘네요. 이거 얼마예요?
(Wa, i buchae jeongmal yeppeuneyo. Igeo eolmayeyo?)
(Wow, this fan is so pretty. How much is this?)

A: 그건 장인이 직접 만든 거라 3만 원이에요.
(Geugeon jang-ini jikjeop mandeun geora sam man won-ieyo.)
(That one was handmade by a master artisan, so it’s 30,000 won.)

B: 아, 그렇군요. 어머니 드리려고 하는데, 선물하기 좋겠어요. 혹시… 좀 깎아 주세요?
(A, geureokunyo. Eomeoni deuriryeogo haneunde, seonmulhagi jokkesseoyo. Hoksi… jom kkakka juseyo?)
(Oh, I see. I’m thinking of giving it to my mother, it would be a great gift. By any chance… could you give me a little discount?)

A: (Smiling) 허허, 알겠습니다. 그럼 2만 5천 원에 드릴게요.
(Heoheo, algesseumnida. Geureom i man ocheon won-e deurilgeyo.)
(Haha, okay. Then I’ll give it to you for 25,000 won.)

B: 정말요? 감사합니다! 예쁘게 포장해 주세요.
(Jeongmallyo? Gamsahamnida! Yeppeuge pojanghae juseyo.)
(Really? Thank you! Please wrap it nicely.)

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

As we talked about, traditional items are the new “cool” in Korea. This isn’t just a tourist trend; it’s a domestic one, too!

Young Koreans on Instagram often post pictures of themselves wearing modern hanbok or accessorizing their tote bags with a colorful norigae (노리개), a traditional tassel accessory. When you use a phrase like “선물하기 좋겠어요” (This would be great for a gift), you’re tapping directly into this cultural mindset. You’re acknowledging that these items have real value and meaning beyond being simple souvenirs.

In fact, after a member of a famous K-pop group was seen with a modern-style norigae on their bag at the airport, that specific design sold out for months! So, when you buy a traditional craft, you’re not just getting a souvenir—you’re getting a piece of a living, evolving trend in Korea.

Let’s Practice!

You did an amazing job today! You’re now equipped with the essential phrases to not only shop but also connect with people in Insadong.

Now, let’s test your knowledge with a quick quiz:

1. You see a beautiful, hand-painted ceramic mug. How do you ask for the price?
   _______________?

2. The shopkeeper tells you the price. You think it’s a little expensive, but perfect for your best friend. What two phrases could you use next?

   • To comment on its suitability as a gift: _______________ 좋겠어요.
   • To politely ask for a better price: 좀 _______________.

Leave your answers in the comments below! And tell us, what traditional Korean souvenir would you love to buy? Try to use one of the phrases we learned today