What are “rice pots” and “stick coffee”?

Discovering the differences between North and South Korean language through dramas

Introducing everything from Korean beauty and travel to gourmet food,

Those unforgettable words 💕

In Japan, it ranked No. 1 on Netflix in 2020,

and the Korean drama Crash Landing on You even became a social phenomenon.

The poignant love story between Ri Jeong-hyeok,

played by Hyun Bin, and Yoon Se-ri,

It remains in the hearts of many people as a timeless masterpiece that never fades, no matter how many years pass.

The appeal of this drama lies in more than just its story.

The cultural differences between North Korea and South Korea were carefully portrayed through “language,”

drawing viewers even deeper into the world of the story.

Memorable Expressions Unique to North Korea 🗣️

The North Korean words that appear in the drama

had a somewhat nostalgic and warmly resonant quality that left a strong impression.

Unfamiliar expressions naturally conveyed the characters’ backgrounds and values,

making the realism of the story even richer.

“Furaikkaji Marau”

The North Korean expression corresponding to

the Korean phrase “거짓말하지 마라（嘘をつくな）” (“Don’t lie”).

Every time this phrase appeared, its distinctive wording caught me by surprise.

“Rice Pot (Pakkama)”

A term referring to a rice cooker.

In South Korea, it is called 「전기밥솥（electric rice cooker）」, whereas

in North Korea, the more traditional expression 「飯釜」 is used.

In fact, it can also refer to cooking utensils in general.

「Stick Coffee」

Instant coffee.

Named after its stick-shaped appearance,

it is a very easy-to-understand and somewhat cute expression.

「Running Business」

A term referring to unofficial peddling or private transactions.

It was an intriguing expression that offered a glimpse into North Korea’s social structure.

「Balbari Car」

A term referring to a taxi.

Originally a slang term for military vehicles and large vehicles,

its distinctive sound makes it unforgettable once you hear it.

「Danmuk（단묵）」

Jelly.

In South Korea, the loanword 「젤리」 is commonly used, but

in North Korea, the traditional expression 「Danmuk」 is used.

Distinctive Sentence Endings That Stay with You ✨

In 『Crash Landing on You』, the sentence endings used by the North Korean characters were particularly memorable.

“〜습네다 (seumneda)”

“〜다요 (dayo)”

Unlike standard Korean,

these sentence endings have a unique charm that blends politeness with simplicity.

With just the way they spoke,

you could sense the characters’ personalities and the environments in which they had lived−

this kind of direction helped support the drama’s realism.

Famous Lines That Make Your Heart Flutter 💓

The line Ri Jeong-hyeok

said when he saw Yoon Se-ri’s finger heart.

“Comrade, do you have several hearts?”

Not knowing about the finger heart culture,

he said this line as a genuine question.

Even now, whenever I remember it, my heart skips a beat.

While symbolizing the cultural divide between North Korea and South Korea,

it also conveys Ri Jeong-hyeok’s sincerity and clumsy kindness,

It was an unforgettable iconic scene.

Discovering Cultural Differences Through Language 🌏

What Crash Landing on You taught us was

the joy of discovering culture through language.

Even though they are on the same Korean Peninsula,

North Korea and South Korea, which have been divided for many years,

have significant differences in their linguistic expressions.

By encountering North Korean language through the drama,

viewers may have been able to feel

the history and cultural backgrounds of both countries more closely.

North Korean language, where many traditional expressions remain,

and South Korean language, which actively incorporates loanwords and new expressions.

Those differences gave the story greater depth.

An Appeal That Never Fades Over the Years 🌟

Crash Landing on You

is not only wonderful in terms of its story,

but the cultural meanings woven into each and every line

make the work even deeper and more captivating.

The fact that we sometimes suddenly remember words like “rice pot” and “stick coffee,”

or find iconic lines resurfacing in our hearts,

speaks to the immense power of language.

Summary｜A World of Drama Woven by Words 📺

The North Korean words that appeared in 『Crash Landing on You』

enriched the world of the drama

and played an important role in drawing viewers into the story.

The unique expressions and sentence endings,

as well as the famous line, “Do comrades have several hearts?”

These will continue to be passed down as timeless words

symbolizing a pure love story that transcends cultural differences.

『Crash Landing on You』taught us the joy of learning about culture through language.

It’s a masterpiece that makes you want to think back on it from time to time, no matter how many years pass✨

We bring you reliable information about Korea from 『Yeppuriko』

so that you can enjoy Korea more closely and with peace of mind.