In this Blog, we'll learn how to write Korean Business emails

1. the purpose of the email
2. your relationship with the recipient
3. any conventions in that particular field/industry

This post’s focus will be geared towards writing business emails. Formal, but not exactly business emails, may be covered in the next post.

Subject title

I’d usually write the purpose:

• Enquiry: [문의] XX에 관련해 문의드립니다
• Commission of work: XX 작업 의뢰드립니다
• Sending of documents: XX자료 보내드립니다
• Informing someone off (cancellation): 상담취소 안내드립니다

Or sometimes it’s just written in the following format with no speech endings:

• 상담주선 취소건 관련 | Cancellation of Meeting Request
• 방한취소 여부 확인 요망 | Request for confirmation on canceling a visit to Korea
• 전화응대 메뉴얼 | Manual for answering calls
• 보고서 작성 양식 | Format for writing reports

If you’re writing as a part of an organization, I’ve noticed that a lot of Koreans like to include it in their email title:

• [XX 에이전시]
• [XX 대학원]

If you’re writing to someone for the very first time, perhaps an introductory email, sometimes I write like this:

Hello. I’m Shanna, manager of the HR Department in XXX Company (no, I don’t work in HR)

안녕하세요. XXX 인사부 과장 샤나입니다

Addressing The Person

If I know the person’s name + designation:

• 안녕하세요, XX 대표님. (replace with the right designation and note that it’s a full stop)

If I know the person’s name but not the designation:

• XX님께,

(That said, if you clearly know the person is like the big boss, but are not sure if they are a 대표님/사장님/회장님, would be great if you could google instead of doing this)

If you know nothing:

• 안녕하세요.
• [name of organization] 관리자님, 안녕하세요.

First Line

Introduce yourself with your full name and designation if it’s the first time you’re writing to them.

저는 (company name) 인사과 팀장 샤나 탄입니다.

If it’s been some time since I wrote to them, I will be like:

(company name)인사과 팀장 샤나 탄입니다.

If there’s an email chain going on already, no need to keep introducing yourself LOL

Purpose

Compiling some phrases that may be helpful

Enquiry:

• XXX 지원 사업에 대해 문의 사항이 있어서 메일을 보내드립니다 | I am writing with regard to enquires about xx funding programme
• XXX에 관련해 궁금한 점이 있어 문의드립니다 | I am writing about queries regarding

Asking for advice:

• 조언을 부탁드리고자 메일을 드립니다 | I am writing to ask for advice

Request:

• xx에 관련해 부탁드리고자 메일을 드립니다 | I am writing to request a favor regarding xx

Writing about (something):

• XXX에 관해 메일을 드립니다 | I am writing with regard to

Indicating purpose:

• XX 프로그램에 대해 안내드리기 위해 메일을 드립니다 | I’m writing to share more about / guide you through XX program.

Attachments

• 요청하신 자료를 첨부합니다. 확인부탁드립니다 | Please find attached the requested materials

• 부탁하신 자료를 첨부합니다. 도움이 되시길 바랍니다 | Please find attached the materials you’ve asked for. I hope they’ll be helpful.
• 파일을 첨부합니다. 확인하시고 궁금한 점이 있으면 언제든지 말씀해 주세요. | I’ve attached the file. Please let me know if you have any questions

Deadlines

• 다음 주 월요일 (8.13)까지 보내주시면 감사하겠습니다 | If you could send this before next Monday, I’d be very grateful
• 시간이 더 필요하시면 알려 주십시오 | Let me know if you need more time

Last Words LOL

Okay, not sure how to call this section.

질문이 있으면 편하게 말씀하세요 | Feel free to know if you have any questions

회신 기다리겠습니다 | Hope to hear back soon

Stuff

• 불편을 끼쳐 드려 죄송합니다 | Sorry for the inconvenience caused
• 한국어 실력이 부족한 점 양해 부탁드립니다 | Sorry my Korean is not so good, seek your understanding on this
• 한국어 실력이 부족해서 실수 있으니 이 점 미리 양해 구합니다 | My Korean is not good and I may make mistakes. Seeking your understanding in advance

In general:

그럼 잘 부탁드립니다

그럼 혹 관련해 문의사항 있으시면 편하게 말씀 부탁드리며, 회신 기다리고 있겠습니다. | Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll be waiting for your reply.

Final Greeting

Clearly, I’m getting restless writing this 🙂

좋은 하루 되시길 바랍니다

좋은 하루 되세요

주말 잘 보내세요

And then the next line,

감사합니다.

Sign Off

샤나 드림 – general

샤나 올림- when you want to be very polite! And the person’s way higher on the hierarchy.

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Sample Email

Title: RE: 2021년 보고서 요청

김지나 님께,
 

안녕하세요. (주)Hangukdrama 마케팅부 팀장 샤나입니다.

요청하신 자료를 첨부합니다.

확인 부탁드립니다.

 

감사합니다.

샤나 드림