Learn Korean Grammar Through Drama: Queen of Tears

Have you heard about Queen of Tears? This 2024 Korean drama has captured hearts worldwide, blending romance, heartbreak, and hope. It tells the emotional story of a chaebol heiress and her farmer’s son husband navigating the challenges of love, illness, and rediscovery.

With heartfelt lines and relatable everyday expressions, Queen of Tears is also a fantastic way to learn Korean grammar. In this blog, we’ll learn Korean grammar with K-drama: Queen of Tears. Let’s dive in!

1. Noun + (이)면 / Verb + (으)면 (Conditional "If" or "When")

"그런게 다 처음이면 그게 그냥 첫사랑이야."

"If you did those for the first time, then that's your first love."

Scene when Hae-in (Kim Ji-won) sees Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) waiting for a bus at a bus stop. She continues to secretly watch him on the bus from a distance while reflecting on all the good times the two shared in the past. (Episode 6)

Grammar Explanation

This grammar pattern is used to express a condition, similar to "if" (or "when") in English.

• Noun + (이)면: Use 이면 after nouns ending in a consonant and 면 after nouns ending in a vowel.

• Verb + (으)면: Use 으면 after verbs ending in a consonant and 면 after verbs ending in a vowel.

  
  

Example Sentences

1. 날씨가 좋으면 공원에 갈 거예요. If the weather is nice, I’ll go to the park.

2. 학생이면 할인받을 수 있어요. If you’re a student, you can get a discount.

3. 시간이 있으면 도와줄게요. If I have time, I’ll help you.

   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Verb + 지마 (Don’t Do Something)

"나한테 이러지 마."

"Don’t do this to me."

Scene when Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) finds Hae-in (Kim Ji-won) at the church, and she tearfully asks him not to make her want to live. (Episode 14)

Grammar Explanation

+지마 is used to tell someone not to do something. It’s the informal, casual way of saying "don’t" in Korean.

• Attach ~지마 to the verb stem.

• For a polite or formal tone, use -지 마세요 instead.

Example Sentences

1. 걱정하지마, 다 괜찮을 거야. Don’t worry; everything will be fine.

2. 울지마 내가 네 곁에 있어. Don’t cry. I’m by your side.

3. 여기에 쓰레기 버리지 마세요. Don't throw garbage here.

   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Noun + -에 (At/In/On – Time or Place Marker)

"이거 옛날에 당신이 나 준 거 기억나?"

"Do you remember when you gave it to me?"

Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) realizes that Hae-in (Kim Ji-won) lost her memory while traveling to Germany. (Episode 7)

Grammar Explanation

-에 is a location or time marker in Korean.

• Use -에 after a noun to indicate where something is or when something happens.

• It’s often paired with action verbs for location or used to specify time.

  
  

Example Sentences

1. 아침 7시에 일어나요. I wake up at 7 in the morning.

2. 비 오는 날에 우산 없이 나가지마. Don’t go out without an umbrella on a rainy day.

3. 저는 학교에 있어요. I’m at school.

Learning Korean grammar with K-drama like Queen of Tears makes studying fun and meaningful! The lines and expressions help you improve while enjoying the story.

What’s your favorite quote or scene from Queen of Tears? Share it in the comments! 💜