"이게 정답이야, 맞지?" Understand K-Drama 'Pyramid Game(피라미드 게임)' without subtitles!

Pyramid Game is an interesting psychological thriller about the complexities of high school life, where students are ranked by a voting system. Those who receive the lowest grade, 'F', become victims of bullying. While those in the higher grades receive certain privileges. Beyond the intense storyline, Pyramid Game is also a great source for learning Korean grammar through its relatable dialogues.

In this blog, we will discuss 3 Korean grammars you can learn from this dialogue in the Korean drama Pyramid Game:

"이 게임은 절대 너 하나 없어진다고 끝나지 않아. 지금 같은 시스템 유지하는 거 백하린 혼자가 아니야.

나머지도 결국 똑같아. 괴물도 옮아. 봤잖아. 누군가 마침표를 찍어줘야 끝날 수 있어.

이 반은 변해야 돼. 아니, 말을 바꿀게.

피라미드 게임을 없애자. 이게 정답이야. 맞지?"

"This game will never be over even if you're gone. Baek Harin isn't the only one maintaining the system. The others are the same. Being a monster is infectious. You've seen it. Somebody has to put an end to it. This class must change. No. Let me rephrase it. Let's destroy the Pyramid Game. This is the answer. Right?"

1. Verb + -아/어야 하다 (Must/Need/Have To)

"누군가 마침표를 찍어줘야 긑날 수 있어. 이 반은 변해야 돼."

"Somebody has to put an end to it. This class needs to change."

Pyramid Game (Episode 2)

Grammar Explanation

This is used to express obligation or necessity, similar to "must" or "have to" in English. It tells that something is required or needed to do.

• Verb Stem + 아야 하다: Use ~아야 하다 if the verb stem has ㅏ or ㅗ as the final vowel.

• Verb Stem + 어야 하다: Use ~어야 하다 for other vowels.

• If the verb ends in 하다, it becomes 해야 하다.

  
  

Example Sentences

1. 우리는 일찍 일어나야 해요. We must wake up early.

2. 죄송하지만, 지금 가야 해요. I’m sorry, but I have to go now.

3. 시험이 있어서 열심히 공부해야 해요. I have to study hard because of the exam.

   
   

   
   

2. Verb + -자 (Let's ___)

"이 반은 변해야 돼. 아니, 말을 바꿀게. 피라미드 게임을 없애자. "

"This class must change. No. Let me rephrase it. Let's destroy the Pyramid Game."

Pyramid Game (Episode 2)

Grammar Explanation

This is used to make a suggestion, similar to "let’s" in English. It is commonly used in informal speech among friends or close relationships.

• Verb Stem + -자: Simply attach -자 to the verb stem.

  
  

Example Sentences

1. 조금 쉬자. Let’s rest for a while.

2. 여기서 사진 찍자. Let’s take a picture here.

3. 이 문제를 함께 풀자. Let’s solve this problem together.

2. Verb + -지? or 죠? (Right?/Isn't It?)

"이게 정답이야. 맞지?"

"This is the answer. Right?"

Pyramid Game (Episode 2)

Grammar Explanation

This grammar is used to confirm information similar to "right?" or "isn't it?" in English.

• Verb Stem + -지?: Use -지 in casual speech.

• Verb Stem + -죠?: 죠 is a contraction of -지요, which is used in polite or formal speech.

Example Sentences

1. 너도 이 영화 좋아하지? You like this movie, right?

2. 우리가 내일 만나는 거지? We’re meeting tomorrow, right?

3. 오늘은 날씨가 좋죠? The weather is nice today, isn’t it?

   
   
   
   
   
   

Learning Korean grammar while watching interesting dramas like Pyramid Game makes studying less boring! Stay tuned for more grammar lessons inspired by your favorite K-dramas!

What’s your favorite scene from Pyramid Game? Share it in the comments! 💜

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