Level: Beginner (TOPIK 2–3) -더라고요, -것 같습니다
Where These Expressions Appeared
These expressions appeared when Kang Haneul talked about wearing a school uniform during his Instagram Live on March 17, 2025.
He was talking about how, a few years ago, he used to think that he could still pull off a school uniform when wearing one for a role.
But recently, when he actually tried one on again for a role, he realized…
이제 안 되더라고요 ㅎㅎ
“I just couldn’t pull it off anymore. Haha.”
He then continued:
이제는 안 될 것 같습니다 아~
“I don’t think I can pull it off anymore. Ah~”
This live stream took place just four days before the filming of First Ride (퍼스트 라이드) began on March 21, 2025.
So, considering the timing, I’m guessing that the school uniform he was talking about was for his role in First Ride 👕
저도 어 옛날에 한 몇 년전까지만 해도 작품에서 교복 입으면
I used to, um, until just a few years ago, when I wore a school uniform in a production,
아 그래도 어 이렇게 어울리는 교복이 있구나 라는 생각이었는데
I’d think, “Oh, so there are school uniforms that still suit me like this,”
얼마 전에 교복을 잠깐 입어 봤거든요 역할 때문에
But recently, I tried wearing a school uniform for a little while, because of a role.
어 이제 안 되더라고요 ㅎㅎ
Um, it doesn’t work anymore. Haha.
이제는 안 될 것 같습니다. 아~
I don’t think I can pull it off anymore. Ah~
How to Use -더라고요 and 것 같습니다
The key expressions here are -더라고요 and -ㄹ/을 것 같습니다.
① 이제 안 되더라고요
이제 = now, anymore
안 되다 = not work, not be possible, not be suitable
-더라고요 = “I found/realized that…,” based on something you actually experienced
You can think of -더라고요 as having the feeling of:
“Turns out, I just couldn’t do it anymore~”
It is used when you want to tell someone about something you discovered or realized through your own experience or observation.
In this case, Haneul actually put on the school uniform and experienced the change for himself:
“I put it on and realized, ‘Oh… I really can’t pull this off anymore.’”
That firsthand realization is exactly why -더라고요 works so well here.
For example:
입어 보니까 생각보다 작더라고요.
“I tried it on, and it was smaller than I expected.”
Because you actually tried it on and discovered that it was small, -더라고요 is a natural choice.
② 이제는 안 될 것 같습니다
Here we have:
이제는 = now, anymore
안 되다 = not work, not be possible, not be suitable
-ㄹ/을 것 같습니다 = I think…, it seems…
것 같아요 is a softer way of saying:
“I think I can’t do it anymore…”
“It seems like I can’t pull it off anymore…”
Rather than making a definite statement, it leaves a little room for uncertainty and sounds softer.
There is also a small but interesting point in 이제는.
It gives us a contrast:
I used to be able to pull it off.
↓
But now…
The 는 in 이제는 highlights that contrast with the past.
One Small Grammar Point
You can change the ending of 것 같아요 / 것 같습니다 depending on the level of politeness:
- 것 같아요 — polite, conversational
- 것 같습니다 — more formal/polite
But -더라고요 does not become -더라고습니다.
So:
더라고요 ✓
더라고습니다 ✕
This is a useful little point to remember when comparing the two expressions.
Quick Practice ✐
① “I tried it, and it was delicious.”
먹어 보니까 맛있＿＿＿＿.
② “I think I can’t do it anymore.”
이제는 안 될＿＿＿＿.
③ “I talked to them, and it was easier than I expected.”
말해 보니까 생각보다 쉽＿＿＿＿.
Answers:
① 더라고요
② 것 같습니다 (or 것 같아요)
③ 더라고요
Clementine’s Note 🍊
At the time of this video in 2025, Haneul mentioned that he had still been able to pull off a school uniform “until a few years ago.” This time, however, actually putting one on again seems to have made him really feel the changes in his appearance.
But honestly, I think adulthood has its own kind of charm. If school uniforms don’t suit him quite as well as they used to, perhaps that’s simply part of growing into a more mature version of himself.
Of course, I absolutely love young and adorable Haneul, too. But personally, I can’t wait to see middle-aged Haneul becoming a handsome, effortlessly cool ajusshi someday💙
And there’s another reason not to worry too much about Haneul’s own “I look old” comments. He has also said that having an older-looking face can actually work in your favor as you age—you may eventually start looking younger than your actual age.
Whether that’s really true or not…
Basically, I’m just looking forward to watching Haneul for many, many years to come.
Speaking of uniforms, if I look back at the different kinds of “uniforms” Haneul has worn over the years, we’ve already seen him in school uniforms, military uniforms, police uniforms, and hanbok(Korean traditional clothing).
And in 2027, we’re apparently going to get to see him in a doctor’s gown as well. 👨⚕️
Personally, I’d also love to see him as a pilot. 🛫
And perhaps one day, a judge’s robe or another courtroom outfit would be fun to see, too. ⚖️
In any case, from Haneul who looked perfectly at home in a school uniform, to Haneul who is gradually reaching the point where school uniforms don’t suit him quite as naturally…
Being able to watch that change over the years is itself one of the things I enjoy.
By the way, after filming, the three of them even held a little “press conference” (?) together to apologize for not looking good in their school uniforms😂
Source
Kang Haneul Instagram Live, March 17, 2025
“250317 #강하늘 스트리밍 인스타그램 라이브”
The live stream took place four days before filming began on First Ride (퍼스트 라이드).
