Hello, dear readers!

This post introduces how the K-Lingo category on the Korea Compass (koreacompass.com) blog is structured and how you can use it effectively for learning Korean.

Blackpink-Performing-on-Stage-at-Coachella-Request-for-Realistic-Image-to-AI-creats-with-5-Female-Singers-Instead-of-4
[Image Source] AI

1. Music Video

I carefully select K-pop songs from YouTube that have been either globally or locally popular, and I adapt them into engaging language learning materials. My focus is on key vocabulary and real-life expressions, especially from songs that resonate across generations.
If you enjoy the music or are already a fan of the artist, these videos are an excellent way to study Korean through repetition and emotional connection.
Please note, however, that due to copyright protection, I am unable to provide complete lyric translations.
Also, unlike the K-Drama Bites series, this category does not include sections such as Shorts: Dialogue or Grammatical Analysis of the Dialogue.

 

2. Key Takeaways

I break down the lyrics into individual words and phrases commonly used in daily life.
In the early stages of this blog, I focused on only extracting core vocabulary.
Recently, however, the Key Takeaways section has expanded: if you study all the entries listed, you’ll be able to understand most—if not all—of the song’s lyrics.
This section is ideal for both structured learning and casual review.

 

3. Lyrics Summary

For beginner learners who may still struggle with overall comprehension even after studying the Key Takeaways, I offer a Lyrics Summary.
This is a surface-level interpretation of the song lyrics based on visible meaning.
Since I cannot fully grasp the songwriter's original intent, these summaries are not meant to be literary analyses.
If, after writing the summary, I find the content too weak or significantly off from the presumed intent of the songwriter, I sometimes choose to omit the section entirely.
Thanks for your understanding in such cases.

 

4. Additional Information

For those who want to delve deeper into the music, I compile additional information, including release date, album name, genre, label, lyricist, and composer.
It’s a quick reference section to enrich your overall understanding of the song and its production.

 

5. Introduction to Artists

If you love the song, it’s only natural to become curious about the artist.
That’s why I include brief introductions to singers or groups.
However, suppose I’ve already introduced the artist in a previous post. In that case, I avoid repeating the same information to maintain content quality and avoid being penalized by search engines like Google for duplication.
Instead, I provide a link to the earlier post where the artist was introduced.

 

K-Lingo offers a fun and practical way to study Korean through your favorite K-pop songs.
I encourage you to take full advantage of this two-for-one opportunity, enjoying the music while deepening your Korean language skills.
As always, I’m rooting for your progress.

 

June 11, 2025
Raphael S.