Grammar — Entry No. 1205
어떤 사람
eotteon-saram · noun
어떤 사람
eotteon-saram
[UH-dduh-sun SAH-rahm]
nounbeginner
Meaning
‘Eotteon’ means ‘what kind’ and ‘saram’ means ‘person,’ creating ‘what kind of person.’ This phrase is used to describe or question someone’s character. Culturally significant in K-Pop lyrics exploring identity and in K-Dramas examining relationship dynamics and personal growth.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
NewJeans explores identity and self-definition in tracks like ‘Attention,’ asking ‘what kind of person am I?’ EXO’s ‘Love Me Right’ examines romantic character compatibility. In K-Dramas like ‘Goblin,’ characters constantly question ‘what kind of person’ their love interest really is, driving narrative tension.
Example Sentences
넌 어떤 사람이니?
neon eotteon saram-i-ni?
What kind of person are you? (seeking to understand character)
너는 어떤 사람을 좋아해?
neoneun eotteon saram-eul joa-hae?
What kind of person do you like? (about romantic preferences)
그는 정말 어떤 사람일까?
geuneun jeongmal eotteon saram-il-kka?
I wonder what kind of person he really is. (mysterious, speculative)
⚠️ Don’t use eotteon-saram when…
1) ‘어떤 사람’ can sound judgmental if used with a negative tone — always pair with neutral or positive context. 2) Don’t confuse with ‘어느 사람’ (which person, among a group) — ‘어떤’ is about character, not selection.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Goblin — Min-ho repeatedly questions ‘그녀는 어떤 사람인가?’ driving the central mystery of the female lead’s true nature.
- K-Pop: NewJeans — ‘Attention’ — explores the question ‘What kind of person do you want me to be?’ in themes of identity.
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.