📽️ Series Intro: The Executive’s Decoder

This series is specifically designed for advanced Korean learners (TOPIK 5-6), expats working in Korea, and global professionals dealing with Korean partners. While beginner textbooks teach you dictionary definitions, I am here to teach you the "Social Frequency" of the Korean boardroom.

For beginners, this series serves as a roadmap for your future career in Korea. For those currently in the trenches, it is a guide to help you Smeodeulda (blend in) and navigate the vivid flow of business culture.

* Note: These insights are based on my 20 years of executive experience in top Korean firms. Scenarios are inspired by real events but have been adapted for educational purposes.

Ep 1. The Polite "No": Why "Positive Consideration" Often Means "Never"

Decoding the high-context communication of Korean boardrooms.

Korean business meeting showing positive consideration nuance

I am Director Brian. In Korea, what is said is often just the tip of the iceberg. Textbook Korean tells you that "Geung-jeong" (긍정) means positive, but in a meeting room, it can be the loudest "No" you will ever hear. Today, we decode the most famous "false green light" in the corporate world.

🎬 The Scenario

Expat Mark: "Director Kim, the proposal is on your desk. Can we finalize the partnership by next Friday?"

Director Kim: (Pauses, looks at the document) "음... 일정은 좀 촉박하긴 한데, 내부적으로 한번 긍정적으로 검토해 보겠습니다. (Hmm... the schedule is a bit tight, but we will review it positively internally.)"

🔍 Mark's Take: "Great! He said positive. We're on!"

🚫 The Reality: No phone call, no email for three weeks.

🔍 The Executive’s Decoder

Surface Meaning: "I will think about it and try to find a way to make it happen."

Hidden Nuance: "This is difficult or impossible. However, saying 'No' right now would ruin the Kibun (mood) of our meeting. I am giving you a soft exit."

Why So Vague? (The Psychology of Chemyon)

In Korea, harmony (Wha-hap) is kindness. Direct refusal is often seen as a lack of social grace. By saying "Geung-jeong-jeok" (Positively), the speaker is protecting your Chemyon (체면 - Face/Reputation). They believe it is more polite to let the deal fade away gradually (Yu-ya-mu-ya) than to deliver a sharp rejection to your face.

🧠 Advanced Business Vocabulary

긍정적으로 검토하다 (Geung-jeong-jeok-eu-ro geom-to-ha-da): Literally "to review positively," but often a polite stall tactic.
유야무야 (Yu-ya-mu-ya): [Idiom] Ending vaguely; fizzling out without a clear conclusion.
반려하다 (Ban-ryeo-ha-da): [Sino-Korean] To reject or return a formal document/proposal.
애로(隘路) 사항: Difficulties or bottlenecks (A professional way to describe problems).

☕ Brian’s Real Story

I remember a meeting with German partners in 2008. My CEO told them he would "review the request with a positive heart." The partners started celebrating. As soon as they left, the CEO turned to me and said, "Brian, find ten reasons why we can't do this by tomorrow." That 'silk cloth' of polite rejection is what you must learn to recognize. In Korea, the silence after a 'positive review' is the loudest 'No' you will ever hear.

💡 Executive’s Survival Tip

If you receive the "Positive Consideration" response, do not press for an answer immediately. Instead, follow up after a few days by asking: "혹시 진행하시는 데 애로 사항이 있으신가요?" (Are there any bottlenecks/difficulties?). This allows the Korean side to explain the 'No' without losing face.

Episode 1 / 10

Next Up: Ep 2. Coffee, Smoke, and Dinner: Where Real Decisions are Made

Read the Next Episode →