First, Try Reading It Yourself!
Reading a foreign language can be tricky enough, but handwritten letters? That’s a whole different challenge.
Today, let’s try reading a handwritten message signed by Kang Haneul, which appears in the final episode (Episode 10) of the Korean drama Tastefully Yours (당신의 맛).
Can you figure out what it says?!
Before scrolling down, give it a try on your own:)
If you’re interested in the unique features of Kang Haneul’s handwriting, check out this article, too:)
Can You Read Kang Haneul’s Handwriting? | A Closer Look at His Korean Handwriting
Let’s Check the Answer!
음식에도 사람에도 하루에도 ‘진심’을 담아내기를…
– 한범우❤
Were you able to read it?
Here’s what it means:
“May we put our hearts into the food we make, the people we meet, and every day we live…”
It’s a wish expressed through Han Beomwoo (한범우), played by Kang Haneul.
The message reflects a way of living: putting genuine care and sincerity into cooking, relationships, and everyday life.
Let’s Take a Closer Look at His Handwriting!
① Look at that adorable “내”!
Take a close look at the 내 in 담아내기를.
Isn’t the way Kang Haneul writes it adorable?
It’s a distinctive little twist in his handwriting!
② There Are Different Ways to Write “ㄹ”
Notice the different shapes of ㄹ.
In these examples, we can see roughly two styles:
- A simple, flowing shape that looks a bit like the number 2
- A more elaborate, cursive shape resembling 己, a Chinese character written in a flowing calligraphic style
It’s interesting how the same Hangul consonant can take on such different appearances in handwriting!
Mini Korean Grammar Lesson: 〜기를
Verb/adjective stem + 기를
The ending -기를 comes from the nominalizing suffix -기, which turns a verb or adjective into a noun-like form, followed by the object particle -를.
At the end of a sentence, it can express a wish, hope, or prayer, much like “May…” or “I hope…” in English.
For example:
- 행복하기를… — May you be happy…
- 좋은 하루가 되기를… — May it be a good day…
- 진심을 담아내기를… — May we express our sincerity…
In Beomwoo’s message, 담아내기를 expresses this kind of heartfelt wish.
Let’s look a little closer at the verb.
담다 means “to put something in” or “to fill something with,” and it can also describe putting feelings or meaning into something.
Adding -아/어 내다 creates 담아내다, which can mean bringing something out or expressing it in a tangible way.
So, while 진심을 담다 means “to put sincerity into something,” 진심을 담아내다 places a little more emphasis on successfully expressing that sincerity.
It’s a subtle difference, but a lovely one in this context.
Clementine’s Note 🍊
So, who actually wrote this message?
Was it Haneul, or was it Beomwoo?
Obviously, it’s Kang Haneul writing in character as Han Beomwoo.
But that’s exactly what makes it so interesting.
When I read it as a message from Beomwoo, I can’t help seeing Haneul behind the words.
Maybe that’s what makes a handwritten message so special.
Back when Haneul starred in Insider (인사이더), he wrote a letter addressed “To Kim Yohan, from Kang Haneul.”
That was clearly a message from Haneul, written by Haneul, in Haneul’s own words.
This time, though, it’s a little different.
And yet, the message itself is just SO HANEUL.
Even the signature at the end:
한범우❤
The fact that he added a little heart after Beomwoo’s name is just so sweet—and so very Kang Haneul. 🩵
Source
- Tastefully Yours (당신의 맛), Episode 10 (Final Episode)