Do Koreans Actually Say 'I Love You'? Fact-Checking Romance Tropes Vs. Modern Dating
By Alexander Ross
Before any serious phrase crosses a partner's lips, modern Korean courtship runs through an ambiguous probationary period known as sseom (썸), derived from the English word "something." During this period, two people text constantly, grab meals, and check compatibility without formal labels.
During the sseom phase, leaping directly to saranghae is considered a serious social blunder. Instead, daters rely on joahaeyo (좋아해요), meaning "I like you." The verb joahada handles the emotional heavy lifting of early attraction. It indicates interest, invites reciprocation, and allows both parties to test romantic waters without triggering the long-term domestic commitments implied by love.
A confession using joahaeyo operates as an invitation to define the relationship. If both partners agree, the dynamic shifts immediately out of the ambiguous zone and into an official pairing, initiating a structured calendar of anniversaries.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
