Ace Your Korean Interview Like a K-Drama Star!

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

Ever been in a situation where you’re so nervous you can’t understand what someone just said? Now, imagine that happening in a Korean job interview! Gasp! It’s a scary thought, but it happens to everyone.

Lately, in Korea, K-dramas about young people navigating the tough job market, like the fictional hit “Seoul Startup Story,” are super popular. We’ve all seen that scene where the main character freezes up in front of the interviewers. The good news is, you can be prepared! Today, we’ll learn how to politely ask an interviewer to repeat a question. This will make you look confident and thoughtful, not unprepared. Let’s get you that dream job!

Key Expressions for Your Big Day

Here are three polite and professional phrases that will save you in a pinch.

• 한국어 표현: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
  • 발음 [로마자]: Joesong-hajiman, dasi hanbeon malsseum-hae jusigesseoyo?
  • 영어 뜻: I’m sorry, but could you please say that again?
  • 상세 설명: This is the gold standard! It’s extremely polite and perfect for any formal setting. 죄송하지만 (Joesong-hajiman) means “I’m sorry, but…” and 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (dasi hanbeon malsseum-hae jusigesseoyo?) is a very respectful way to ask someone to “please say it one more time.” Use this when you didn’t hear the question clearly.
• 한국어 표현: 제가 잘 이해하지 못했는데, 다시 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
  • 발음 [로마자]: Jega jal ihaehaji motaenneunde, dasi seolmyeong-hae jusil su innayo?
  • 영어 뜻: I didn’t understand that well, could you please explain it again?
  • 상세 설명: This phrase is fantastic when you heard the words, but the meaning is unclear. It shows you were listening carefully but need clarification. 제가 잘 이해하지 못했는데 (Jega jal ihaehaji motaenneunde) means “I couldn’t understand it well, and…”. It makes you sound very thoughtful and diligent.
• 한국어 표현: 질문의 뜻을 다시 한번 확인해도 괜찮을까요?
  • 발음 [로마자]: Jilmun-ui tteus-eul dasi hanbeon hwagin-haedo gwaenchanayo?
  • 영어 뜻: Would it be okay if I confirm the meaning of the question one more time?
  • 상세 설명: This is a pro-level move! It shows confidence and a desire to give the best possible answer. 질문의 뜻 (Jilmun-ui tteut) means “the meaning of the question,” and 확인해도 괜찮을까요? (hwagin-haedo gwaenchanayo?) means “is it okay if I check/confirm?”. This can really impress an interviewer!

Example Dialogue: At the “Seoul Startup Story” Interview

Let’s see how this works in a real conversation. Imagine you (지원자 – Applicant) are interviewing for your dream job at a cool tech company.

A: 면접관 (Interviewer): 우리 회사에 지원한 특별한 동기가 있다면 무엇인가요?
(What is your specific motivation for applying to our company?)

B: 지원자 (Applicant): (Looks a little nervous) …죄송합니다. 조금 긴장해서…
(I’m sorry. I’m a little nervous…)

A: 면접관 (Interviewer): 괜찮습니다. 천천히 하세요.
(It’s okay. Take your time.)

B: 지원자 (Applicant): 네, 감사합니다. 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
(Yes, thank you. I’m sorry, but could you please say that again?)

A: 면접관 (Interviewer): 네. 왜 우리 회사에 지원했는지 그 이유가 궁금합니다.
(Of course. I’m curious about the reason you applied to our company.)

B: 지원자 (Applicant): 아, 네! 제가 귀사에 지원한 이유는 혁신적인 모바일 앱 서비스 때문입니다…
(Ah, yes! The reason I applied to your company is because of its innovative mobile app service…)

See? Simple, polite, and effective!

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

In K-dramas about office life, like the classic “Misaeng” (미생) or the trendy “Start-Up” (스타트업), the interview scenes are always intense. But a key lesson from them is that in Korean work culture, attitude is everything.

Showing that you are polite, respectful, and trying your best is often more important than being perfect. Asking for a question to be repeated isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of a careful communicator. It tells the interviewer, “I respect your question, and I want to give it a proper answer.” This is a huge green flag for a potential employer!

Pro Tip: When you use these phrases, remember to make eye contact and nod slightly. Your sincere body language, combined with these polite expressions, will leave an amazing impression.

Let’s Wrap It Up & Practice!

Amazing work today! You’ve learned three powerful phrases to handle a tricky moment in a Korean job interview. Remember:
* Didn’t hear it? Use 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
* Didn’t understand the meaning? Use 다시 설명해 주실 수 있나요?

Now, it’s your turn to practice!

Quick Quiz: Fill in the blank. The interviewer asks a complicated question. You want to confirm the meaning before you answer.

나 (Me): 음… 질문의 ______을 다시 한번 확인해도 괜찮을까요?
(Um… Would it be okay if I confirm the ______ of the question one more time?)

Leave your answer and try making your own sentence in the comments below! You’ve got this. 파이팅 (Fighting)!