Dictionary — Entry No. 0684
응
eung · interjection
응
eung
[uhng]
interjectionbeginner
Meaning
응 (eung) is an extremely casual, intimate way to say ‘yes’ or ‘mm-hmm’ in Korean, comparable to ‘yeah’ or ‘uh-huh’ in English. It signals closeness between speakers and is only appropriate with close friends of the same age or younger — never with elders or in any formal context.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
응 is iconic in K-Drama phone call scenes, especially when characters speak with someone they deeply trust — Hospital Playlist’s core friendship group is built on easy 응 exchanges that feel achingly real. NewJeans uses 응 naturally in casual fan content and behind-the-scenes footage, which fans find endearing and authentic. It is the sound fans associate with the unguarded, off-camera personalities of their favorite idols.
Example Sentences
응, 알았어.
Eung, arasseo.
Yeah, got it. (Extremely casual acknowledgment between close friends — maximum informality)
응? 뭐라고?
Eung? Mworago?
Hm? What did you say? (Rising-tone 응 signals surprise or that you didn’t catch what was said)
응, 나도 가고 싶어!
Eung, nado gago sipeo!
Yeah, I want to go too! (Enthusiastic casual agreement with a close friend’s idea)
⚠️ Don’t use eung when…
Using 응 (eung) with teachers, bosses, or older relatives is considered very rude in Korean culture where speech levels are taken seriously — always use 네 (ne) in those contexts. Also, 응 said with a rising intonation becomes a question tag meaning ‘right?’ or ‘okay?’ — the same syllable serves two different roles depending entirely on tone.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Hospital Playlist — the five doctor friends use 응 almost exclusively with each other, perfectly illustrating how the word signals deep, decades-long friendship.
- K-Pop: NewJeans — Hype Boy
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.