When you want to say “I like you” in Korean, which expression should you use?
In this article, we’ll break down the basics — 좋아하다 (joahada), the stronger romantic expression 사랑해 (saranghae), and some popular fan phrases you’ll often see in the K-POP community.
You’ll also find plenty of real example sentences that K-POP fans can actually use. Perfect for fan letters, social media, or just learning Korean with your favorite idols!
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Saying “Like” in Korean: 좋아하다 (joahada)
The most basic verb for “to like” in Korean is 좋아하다 (joahada).
It’s very versatile and can be used for people, idols, food, hobbies, or anything you enjoy.
나는 BTS를 좋아해요. (naneun BTS-reul joahaeyo.)
→ I like BTS.
좋아해 (joahae)
→ “I like you” (casual, between friends or same age)
좋아해요 (joahaeyo)
→ “I like you” (polite, perfect for fan letters or SNS)
소주를 좋아해요. (sojureul joahaeyo.)
→ I like soju.
- 좋아해요 works for both people and things.
- When saying “I like ___,” just add -를 / -을 after the object.
Saying “I Love You” in Korean: 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo)
When you want to express stronger feelings than just “like,” use 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) = I love you.
This is typically used between couples or family, and the nuance is closer to “I love you” in English.
- 좋아해 = I like you (lighter, can also be friendship or a crush)
- 사랑해 = I love you (deep romantic or family love)
The ending -요 makes it polite. If you drop it, the tone becomes more casual:
- 사랑해요 = polite
- 사랑해 = casual / intimate
💡 At K-POP fan events where idols and fans speak directly, it’s common to hear “사랑해요!” shouted back and forth.
- 좋아해 often appears in cute or early romance scenes.
- 사랑해 is usually saved for climactic or emotional moments.
Fan Phrases to Say “I Like You” in Korean
Besides “좋아해요” and “사랑해요,” there are many other ways fans say “I like you” in Korean. These are very common in fan culture and on social media.
○○ 최고예요! (____ choegoyeyo!)
→ “___ is the best!”
○○ 완전 좋아해요! (____ wanjeon joahaeyo!)
→ “I totally like ___!”
팬이에요! (paenieyo!)
→ “I’m a fan!”
Examples fans can actually use:
- 지민 최고!
(Jimin choego!) → Jimin is the best! - 뉴진스 완전 좋아해요!
(NewJeans wanjeon joahaeyo!) → I really like NewJeans! - 아이돌 팬이에요.
(Aidol paenieyo.) → I’m a fan of this idol.
Conclusion: Start Saying “I Like You” in Korean Today
To recap:
- “I like you” = 좋아해요 (joahaeyo)
- For romance = 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo)
- In fan culture = use variations like 좋아해요, 최고예요, or 팬이에요
Next time you want to write a fan letter, post on SNS, or just express your feelings in Korean, try using these phrases.
Being able to say “I like you” or “I love you” in Korean will make your connection to K-POP and Korean culture feel even more real!
🔎 More K-POP terms explained here → ⭐️
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