Finding Yourself,

A Teen Growth Romance Web Drama

True Ending

True Ending is a web drama about teenage growth and love. Since it first aired in 2019, it's remained a popular watch, with many still revisiting it today.

This drama goes beyond just romance; it captures the realistic struggles and conflicts that teens face as they learn more about themselves and grow. Through the different situations the main characters experience, True Ending takes viewers on a journey of self-discovery that resonates with many.

If you pair this with the web drama A-TEEN, which we introduced in September, you’ll not only learn Korean expressions but also gain a deeper understanding of the life and culture of Korean teenagers. Watching these characters find their own ways to grow can also inspire us to reflect on our own journeys.

🖐 And remember, the small letters in [ ] below are how you actually pronounce the words!

🎬 True Ending (찐엔딩)

This web drama is perfect for teens, but it hits even harder when you watch it again as an adult.

The main character, Lee-jin, starts off as someone with little presence among her friends. Through small changes, she gains popularity and finds herself among the so-called 'cool' crowd. However, in the process, she becomes distanced from the friends who truly cared about her, leading to regret and loneliness.

True Ending makes us reflect on our teenage years—the choices, mistakes, and regrets that have shaped who we are today.

Through Lee-jin’s story, we learn about the true meaning of friendship and relationships, and we come to appreciate the importance of growth and self-reflection. Watching this drama can inspire us to look back at our past, think about the innocent choices and regrets of that time, and find some comfort in those memories.

In a way, this drama is a source of comfort for the adults we’ve become, who carry the pains of growing up.

🎬 Where Can I Watch this Drama?

[Click Here]

📑신상[sin-sang]

A Shortened Form of New Product, 신상품[sin-sang-pum]

🎬 True Ending – EP 8 [Click here!]

📌 4:34~4:47

👩‍ Female: 우리 뉴발 신상 구경하러 갈래?

👩‍ Female: Wanna check out the [sin-sang] from New Balance?

Wanna check out the new line from New Balance?

🔎 New Balance is often shortened to 뉴발 [nyu-bal] in casual Korean conversation.

[sin-sang] is a word you won’t find in English dictionaries. It’s a shortened form of 신상품[sin-sang-pum]. However, in most cases, Koreans simply say [sin-sang] instead of the full [sin-sang-pum]. For instance, when chatting with friends or shopping, it’s common to hear phrases like, “Did any new [sin-sang] arrive?”

Even in department stores or fashion shops, employees often use it when describing new arrivals, saying things like, “This is the new [sin-sang] that just came out.” It’s such a normal part of everyday language.

You’ll also hear it a lot in Korean dramas, movies, and variety shows. Knowing this word can help you enjoy Korean media more and make you sound more in tune with current trends during conversations. So, definitely add this word to your vocabulary.

📑 다이어트[da-i-eo-teu]

A Konglish Term for Losing Weight

🎬 True Ending – EP 2 [Click here!]

📌 3:13 ~3:15

👱‍♀️ Female: 다이어트하거든.

👱‍♀️ Female: I’m trying to [da-i-eo-teu].

I'm trying to lose weight.

Konglish words like [da-i-eo-teu] are important for Korean learners to know.

🔎 Konglish is a combination of Korean and English, and Koreans use it to refer to English expressions adapted into Korean.

Hangeul can represent the sounds of many languages, making it easy to adapt foreign words into Korean. This leads to many English words with Koreanized pronunciations or meanings. However, sometimes the meaning shifts during this process, and diet is one such example.

In Korean, saying [da-i-eo-teu] translates directly to “I’m on a diet" , but it typically means taking action to lose weight or achieve a slimmer figure. Unlike the broader English meaning of diet, which refers to general eating habits or lifestyle changes for health, the Korean [da-i-eo-teu] emphasizes weight loss.

This Konglish term appears frequently in Korean movies, dramas, and everyday conversations, so understanding and using it can really boost your Korean skills.

Now, it’s time to wrap up our journey with True Ending. This drama goes beyond a simple teen growth story, delivering a profound message that encourages us to reflect on the value of true friends and ourselves. It captures the anxiety, growth, regrets, and reflections of our teenage years, ultimately showing the path to discovering one's true self. We hope you’ll find your own ‘true ending' through this story.

Also, the two words we introduced today are essential everyday terms that Koreans use all the time. Without knowing them, you may miss important parts of conversations. So remember these words and take your Korean to the next level.