I love living as an expat in Korea. Everywhere you go, there’s something beautiful to feast your eyes on, or delicious to indulge in, or fascinating to learn about. And there are hundreds of funny signs to make you giggle as you walk around and explore the Land of Morning Calm, as Korea is also known.
I want to share some of the funniest, strangest, or even rudest Konglish signs I’ve seen during my travels in Korea, a place I’ve called home since 2015, and write about in my blog.
More info: inmykorea.com
#1 I Will Find You And I Will Put You In A Salad!
This is why you shouldn’t use a translation app for writing English signs! The word for red and enemy are similar in Korean and instead of a red cabbage, you get this.
Image source: j_kw0nn
#2 Let’s Get Naked To End Covid-19!
If you sneeze on your clothes, they could spread corona, so maybe being naked is the best way to walk around safely?
Image source: dccopypro
#3 The Table Is The Best Place For Delicious Love Making. Just For You
I think this cafe meant to say that they will make delicious love (romantic meals?) just for you, but love making is something they probably weren’t intending to offer.
Image source: jonluimarketing
#4 You Don’t Have To Be A B***h This Summer, But There’s A Festival For You If You Are
Beach and b***h are written the same in Korea and they sound the same… It’s funny to see that even Korean mega-corporations like Lotte can’t avoid Konglish mistakes.
Image source: findingminwoo
#5 This Eel Is Really Good At Lifting Weights. That’s What Happens When You Eat Here
Yes, eating eel will help you be strong in a certain area, guys.
#6 No Wonder The Birth Rate In Korea Is So Low
Image source: dccopypro
#7 Do You Need An Old People Stick?
#8 I Was Really Confused Until I Learned How To Use A Toilet Correctly
Another useful guide to using a toilet in Korea. So many wrong ways to do it!
#9 What Else Would You Do At A Hair Stylists Except Set Your Hair On Fire?
This would make me really worried about getting my hair styled here.
#10 When In Danger, Make Sure Not To Calm Down!
#11 These Hotdogs Are Addictive!
Narcotic, maniac, and holic are commonly used in Konglish signs to mean something is addictive or really desirable. He’s a check maniac/holic (he loves chicken). This hotdog is narcotic (it’s addictive).
#12 It’s Ok, I’m Fine Being Single. Honestly
#13 Don’t Touch This Guy’s Sack Or You Won’t Get His Snacks
The name of this shop is “saek” in Korean, and they want to show what they sell. Unfortunately, their translation sounds like they’re a bit possessive about a sack.
#14 The Toilet Is Painful, So You Should Probably Not Use It?
Another toilet sign with a weird Konglish translation. I’m not sure what’s painful about the toilet, but it might make you want to avoid using it.
#15 The Irony Of This English Work Book. Hellow!
The easiest English word that people learn first, but it was apparently too much for the designer of this English workbook.
Image source: inmykorea.com
#16 Story Of My Life!
#17 Embracing Konglish By Making It Into Your Logo. Delicious Hatdogs Here
This shop actually embraces Konglish. Hotdogs are pronounced hat-dog in Korean and this shop decided to put hats on its hotdogs as a joke.
#18 Only Put Your Troubles Into The Toilet, Not Toilet Paper?
In Korea, a lot of older toilets don’t have good plumbing, so you’re meant to put your toilet paper in a bin, not in the toilet. I guess your troubles were what you deposited after lunch?
Image source: dccopypro
#19 A Creamy Story That’s Only For Ladies
Seen on a ladies clothes store. For the dirty minded, this might be funny.
#20 Not Sure I’d Want To Order This In A Restaurant.
There’s little difference between b/p in Korean, but a big difference between crab and c**p!
Image source: dccopypro
#21 I’ll Be Back… To Terminate Some English Here
#22 I’m British, But I Have No Idea What This Is About
#23 Outsiders Don’t Like To Be Used, So Please Don’t Use Them
#24 Some Mountain Poetry For When You’re Out Hiking In Korea
More random punctuation! Not a very useful warning sign, it actually sounds like a poem.
#25 Don’t Use These Nunchaku Aggressively, Keep Them In A Shady Instead To Avoid Losing Quality
#26 Nothing Like A Bit Of Fun Time With Math! But Never Spare The Rod
From the same series as the ‘hellow’ English workbook, this math workbook has random phrases on it to make it look more ‘international’. It just looks odd to English speakers though.
#27 What An Aweffle Name For A Waffle Shop!
Awesome + Waffle does not = a good shop name.
Image source: inmykorea.com
#28 Probably Not A Good Start To The Honeymoon
I assume the owner of this ice cream shop thinks that this is a cute name – a bride of ice cream – but it just sounds creepy in English.
#29 No! Perhaps It’s Ok To Smoke Here?
A common problem in Korea when writing English signs is knowing when to use! punctuation. It really changes the meaning of the sign!
#30 I Was Sold At Ink, But Not Sure About The Cream Cheese Bread
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