Dictionary — Entry No. 0723
만나고 싶어
mannago-sipeo · expression
만나고 싶어
mannago-sipeo
[MAHN-nah-go-SHEE-puh]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
Meaning ‘I want to meet you’ or ‘I want to see you in person,’ this phrase pairs 만나고 (the connective form of 만나다, to meet face-to-face) with 싶어 (the informal expression of desire). It stresses physical presence — not just a call or text, but actually being together.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
This phrase carries special weight in K-Pop fandom because idols often post 팬들 만나고 싶어 (I want to meet the fans) during hiatus periods, and fans screenshot and treasure these messages. It became an especially resonant expression during the pandemic years when concerts were cancelled worldwide and both idols and fans felt the absence acutely. Long-distance K-Drama relationships frequently build their entire emotional arc around this longing.
Example Sentences
오랫동안 못 봤는데, 진짜 만나고 싶어.
Oraetdongan mot bwannneunde, jinjja mannago sipeo.
We haven’t seen each other in so long — I really want to meet up. (casual, genuine longing between close friends)
팬 미팅에서 아이돌 만나고 싶어!
Paen mitingeseo aidol mannago sipeo!
I want to meet the idol at the fan meeting! (excited fan anticipation — the exclamation is accurate to how fans write this)
멀리 있어도 항상 만나고 싶어.
Meolli isseodo hangsang mannago sipeo.
Even though you’re far away, I always want to meet you. (K-Pop lyric-style romantic longing, softer register)
⚠️ Don’t use mannago-sipeo when…
만나고 싶어 is informal — say 만나고 싶어요 (mannago sipeoyo) with someone older or in a formal setting. Also, 만나다 specifically means a face-to-face meeting; if you want to see a performance or watch something, 보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo) is the right verb, not 만나고 싶어.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Goblin (도깨비) — Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) yearns across centuries to meet Ji Eun-tak again, and every longing glance in this drama embodies exactly the quiet ache of 만나고 싶어.
- K-Pop: SEVENTEEN — Don’t Wanna Cry (울고 싶지 않아)
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.