Decoding a Korean Proverb in “Marry My Husband”: When Shrimp Get Caught in a Whale Fight

Hello, friends!

Ever wonder what it means when characters in your K-Drama suddenly start talking about whales and shrimp?

If you’ve been obsessing over “Marry My Husband” on Amazon Prime Video (or other streaming services such as TVN and Tving), you might have encountered this head-scratching moment in episode 13.

Yura (played by BoA) and Min Hwan (played by Lee Yi-kyeong) have a cryptic conversation filled with aquatic metaphors.

Intrigued? Buckle up!

We’re about to dive into the hidden meaning behind this exchange and how it unlocks a deeper layer of the story.

But first, for those of you who haven’t dived into “Marry My Husband” yet, here’s a quick glimpse into the world of the drama:

Marry My Husband is a Korean drama with a twist of revenge and second chances.
The story follows Kang Ji-won (played by Park Min Young), a woman betrayed by her husband and best friend.
After a tragic turn of events, Ji-won finds herself back in the past with a chance to rewrite her fate with a perfect man Yu Ji-hyuk (played by Na Inwoo).
Armed with knowledge of the future, she seeks not just revenge, but also a chance to live a life free of regrets.
The series explores themes of betrayal, love, and destiny, with a touch of dark humor.

Here’s the exchange:

부잣집 아가씨가 남자 빼앗겨 갖고 지금 기분이 나쁘신가 보네

I gusess a rich girl is upset because someone stole her man.

근데 요즘 새우들 되게 똑똑해.

But shrimp are smart these days.

고래 싸움에 괜히 끼어봤자 등 터지는 거 다 안다고

They know they’ll only suffer in a whales’ fight.

너 같이 생각하는 인간들은 평생 새우로 사는 거야

People like you who think that way are destined to live life as shrimp forever.

The proverb Min Hwan references is:

고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다 (Gorae ssaume saeu deung teojinda)

This translates literally to “In a whale fight, a shrimp’s back breaks.” Ouch!

But what does it really mean?

It’s a warning!

It means that when powerful people clash, those caught in the middle are likely to get hurt.

Just like a tiny shrimp caught between warring whales, you’re likely to get crushed in the crossfire.

This proverb isn’t just limited to Korean!

Many cultures have similar sayings to express this idea.

Here are a few examples:

English:

When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled.

The little fish suffer when the big ones fight.

Spanish:

Cuando dos elefantes luchan, es el pasto el que sufre. (Translation: “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.”)

For a full list of international proverbs, check out the end of this article!

By understanding this proverb, you gain a deeper appreciation for the complex relationships and hidden tensions within “Marry My Husband.”

This is just one example of how Korean proverbs can add layers of meaning to your favorite dramas.

Stay tuned for more explorations of K-Drama through the lens of language and culture!

Bonus:

Here’s a list of proverbs from various languages that share the same sentiment as “고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다”

1. Russian: “Когда слон танцует, муравьишке не до смеху.” (Translation: “When the elephant dances, the ant has no time to laugh.”)
2. Arabic: “إذا تضاربت الفيلة تتضرر العشبة.” (Translation: “When the elephants fight, the grass gets damaged.”)
3. Hindi/Indian: “हाथियों के झगड़े में अमरुद के पेड़ का क्या काम?” (Translation: “What does a guava tree have to do with the fighting of elephants?”) – This proverb essentially conveys the same idea.
4. Chinese: “大象打架，草木受害” (Translation: “When elephants fight, the grass and trees suffer.”)
5. Swahili: “Wakipigana tembo, nyasi huumia.” (Translation: “When elephants fight, the grass gets hurt.”)