Dictionary — Entry No. 0720
힘이 들어요
himi-deureoyo · expression
힘이 들어요
himi-deureoyo
[HEE-mee-DUH-ruh-yo]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
Meaning ‘it’s tough’ or ‘I’m really struggling,’ this expression literally translates as ‘strength is being required/draining’ — from 힘 (strength, energy) + 이 들어요 (it takes / it drains). It describes ongoing emotional or physical exhaustion in a soft, understated way that is very Korean.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Korean culture values endurance, so 힘이 들어요 is a rare, honest admission of hardship that carries real emotional weight when spoken. International fans first encountered it in idol weverse posts and vlogs where members describe grueling practice or tour schedules. It became a phrase of solidarity in fan communities advocating for idol mental health and better industry conditions.
Example Sentences
요즘 정말 힘이 들어요.
Yojeum jeongmal himi deureoyo.
Things have really been tough lately. (honest emotional disclosure, not a dramatic complaint — the understatement is the point)
긴 투어 끝에 힘이 들어요, 하지만 팬들 덕분에 버텨요.
Gin tueo kkeute himi deureoyo, hajiman paendeul deokbune beottyeoyo.
After the long tour I’m exhausted, but I hold on thanks to the fans. (classic idol fan-message phrasing)
시험 준비가 너무 힘이 들어요.
Siheom junbiga neomu himi deureoyo.
Studying for the exams is really draining me. (student expressing burnout — widely relatable)
⚠️ Don’t use himi-deureoyo when…
힘이 들어요 describes ongoing difficulty, not a sudden sharp pain — don’t use it to describe something that just went wrong. Also, 힘 means ‘strength/energy,’ not ‘pain’; saying 힘이 들어요 when you mean 아파요 (apayo, it hurts) will confuse native speakers.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Hospital Playlist — Ik-jun (Jo Jung-suk) quietly says this to his friends after an emotionally devastating surgery, a scene that became iconic for its understated sincerity.
- K-Pop: BTS — Tomorrow (내일)
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.