Where Are You #whatsinmydrafts

Why Koreans care

“똑바로 말해” (ttokbaro malhae, “answer me clearly”) is sharper than a neutral request to speak clearly; in this casual dialogue, it demands a straight answer. “자꾸 왔다 갔다” (jakku watda gatda, “keeps going back and forth”) refers here to the confusing, shifting reply rather than simply moving between places.

In the Korean comments

One commenter answers the title as though the speaker had contacted them directly, writing, in translation: “I’m home—why? It’s not like you’re going to come see me. Stop playing with my heart and getting my hopes up.” Another supplies a flirtatious answer: “I’m in your heart.”

What the words mean

The first comment’s “마음을 들었다 놓다” (maeumeul deureotda nota, literally “lift and set down someone’s heart”) means to toy with someone’s emotions or make their feelings swing. “희망고문” (huimang gomun, literally “hope torture”) means keeping someone attached through hope that is unlikely to be fulfilled; both expressions are used here in an exaggerated, playful complaint.