Yes, at intermediate level, and it may be one of the warmest ways to practise. Answer Me 1988 runs on everyday family talk around the dinner table, so you hear how Korean households actually argue, feed and tease each other.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Format
- Drama
- Year
- 2015
- Episodes
- 20
- Length
- about 95 min each
- From
- tvN
Why it works for learners
A small alley of neighbouring families means the same people meet at home, in the street and over food again and again. Domestic Korean recurs naturally: asking if you have eaten, scolding children, sharing side dishes, borrowing something next door. Family and neighbour address terms are everywhere, giving you plenty of practice with who calls whom what. The 20 episodes give you time to get used to each voice, which greatly helps your ear as the series goes on.
What makes it hard
Episodes last around 95 minutes, which is a lot for one sitting. The 1980s setting brings older slang and references to events, songs and products you won't recognise. Parents and teens talk over each other, and big family scenes get noisy.
How to use it
Split each episode across two or three evenings and focus on mealtime scenes. Write down one phrase parents use with children and one phrase neighbours use with each other. Rewatch a favourite kitchen scene and shadow the shorter lines.
More for Korean learners: our Korean guides.
Keep it where you'll see it
Save Answer Me 1988 and log every episode or chapter toward your Korean hours. Free for one language.
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