Travel Phrases — Entry No. 0993
원
won · noun
원
won
[WON]
nounbeginner
Meaning
The Won (₩) is the official currency of South Korea, with the Korean symbol ₩. One Won is subdivided into smaller units (jeon), though jeon coins are rarely used in modern transactions. Exchange rates fluctuate against major currencies like USD and EUR.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
K-Drama consistently shows Korean characters using Won in everyday transactions, making it visually familiar to international viewers. BTS and BLACKPINK’s record-breaking earnings are often reported in Won, with fans converting to their local currencies. International K-pop fans constantly calculate concert ticket and merchandise prices in Won to budget for Korean tour stops.
Example Sentences
이 카페 라떼가 4,500원이에요.
i kape latte-ga 4,500won-iieyo.
This café’s latte is 4,500 Won. (typical café price)
100만 원을 저축했어.
baekman won-eul jeochuksaesseo.
I saved 1 million Won. (savings goal discussion)
달러를 원으로 바꿔야 해.
dalleoreul woneuro bakkwosya hae.
I need to exchange dollars to Won.
⚠️ Don’t use won when…
1) Large numbers in Korean use different counting: 만 (10,000), so ‘baekman’ = 1 million; confusing this leads to massive math errors. 2) Many Korean prices are in thousands (천; thorn)—’3,000원’ is actually a reasonable price, not a math error.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun — Characters frequently discuss monetary transactions in Won.
- K-Pop: TWICE — Members reference Won amounts in variety show games and earnings discussions.
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.