The ways the characters address each other depends on their rank, age, and gender. I mentioned some of the following in the entry on social classes in the Joseon period but have added more here. Though only some of these terms are used in contemporary society I think it’s interesting to be able to recognize them when watching Dong yi since the terms will crop up again and again in other historical dramas.
*These terms are still occasionally used in contemporary Korean society.
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English
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hangul
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romanization
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hanja
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Your Majesty
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전하
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Jon-ha
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殿下
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Used by the King’s subjects when they address him. (except the Queen Mother)
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Your Majesty
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주상
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Chu-sang
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主上
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Used mainly by the Queen Mother to address the King.
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Your Majesty
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대비마마
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Te-bi-ma-ma
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大妃媽媽
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Used to address the Queen Mother.
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Your Majesty
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중전마마
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Jung-jon-ma-ma
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中殿媽媽
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Used to address the queen by the subjects. The King and the Queen Mother call her jung-jon.
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Your Highness
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마마(님)
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Ma-ma-(nim)
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媽媽(님)
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Used to address ladies in high positions.
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My Lord
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대감
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De-gam
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大監
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Used to address very high level yangban officials.
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Sir
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영감*
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Yong-gam
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令監
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Used to address yangban. Sometimes still used in contemporary society to address judges or prosecutors.
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Sir
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나으리
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Na-u-ri
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No hanja
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Used to address men in higher rank than the speaker
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Ma-am
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마님
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Ma-nim
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媽님
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Used to address ladies in higher rank than the speaker. Female equivalent of na-u-ri.
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Sir
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어르신*
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O-ru-shin
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No hanja
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Used to address old men (related to age not rank) and is sometimes used today instead of the term haraboji. 할아버지
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Fellow/chap
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이 놈*
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nom
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No hanja
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Used to address low class people. As in hey you! = i-nom! Still sometimes used today.
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