Korean Karaoke: How to Ask for Backing Vocals (Guide Melody)
Learn to request guide vocals in Korean norebang. Master phrases like '가이드 멜로디 켜줘' and '코러스 넣어줘' to stay on pitch and enjoy singing with friends.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In a Korean karaoke room, or norebang (노래방), you might want a little help staying on pitch. Many machines offer a guide melody (가이드 멜로디) or backing vocals (코러스). This lesson teaches you the casual Korean phrases to ask for these features. You'll learn how to request them from staff or friends, using the verb 켜다 (to turn on). By the end, you'll confidently ask for guide vocals so you can sing your heart out without worrying about pitch.
By the end, you can…
- ask for the guide melody to be turned on in Korean.
- request backing vocals using casual Korean.
- understand and respond to simple questions about karaoke features.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
가이드 멜로디 켜줘
Turn on the guide melody, please.
ga-i-deu mel-lo-di kyeo-jwo
Use this with friends or staff in a casual setting. It directly asks to turn on the guide melody.
코러스 넣어줘
Add the chorus (backing vocals), please.
ko-reo-seu neo-eo-jwo
This asks to insert backing vocals. Use it when you want extra vocal support.
가이드 켜줘
Turn on the guide, please.
ga-i-deu kyeo-jwo
A shorter version. '가이드' alone can mean guide melody in context.
멜로디 좀 켜줘
Turn on the melody a bit, please.
mel-lo-di jom kyeo-jwo
Adding '좀' (jom) softens the request, making it more polite but still casual.
코러스도 켜줘
Turn on the chorus too, please.
ko-reo-seu-do kyeo-jwo
Use '도' (do) to mean 'also' or 'too', if you want both guide and chorus.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'Noun + 켜줘' means 'Turn on [noun], please.' It's a casual, friendly request. For example, '가이드 멜로디 켜줘' (Turn on the guide melody) or '코러스 켜줘' (Turn on the chorus). You can also use '넣어줘' (neo-eo-jwo) for 'insert/add', as in '코러스 넣어줘' (Add the chorus). Both are common in karaoke settings. Remember, these are informal and used with friends or staff you're familiar with.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you're in a norebang with friends and want help staying on pitch. If you're struggling with a song, say '가이드 멜로디 켜줘' to the person at the machine or a friend. If you want backing vocals, say '코러스 넣어줘'. If you're unsure, you can ask '가이드 있어?' (Is there a guide?) to check availability. These are casual, so avoid using them with strangers in a very formal setting; with staff, a polite '가이드 멜로디 켜 주세요' is better.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
야, 이 노래 너무 어려워. 가이드 멜로디 켜줘.
Hey, this song is too hard. Turn on the guide melody, please.ya, i no-rae neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo. ga-i-deu mel-lo-di kyeo-jwo.응, 켰어. 코러스도 넣어줄까?
Okay, I turned it on. Should I add the chorus too?eung, kyeo-sseo. ko-reo-seu-do neo-eo-jul-kka?응, 코러스도 넣어줘. 고마워!
Yes, add the chorus too. Thanks!eung, ko-reo-seu-do neo-eo-jwo. go-ma-wo!천천히 불러도 돼. 가이드 들으면서 해.
You can sing slowly. Just follow the guide.cheon-cheon-hi bul-leo-do dwae. ga-i-deu deu-reu-myeon-seo hae.A little context goes a long way
In Korean norebang, guide melodies and chorus features are common on machines, but availability varies by song and system. Asking friends to turn them on is casual and normal. With staff, use polite language like '켜 주세요' (kyeo ju-se-yo). It's also fine to ask '가이드 있어요?' (Is there a guide?) to check. Remember, these features are for fun and help, not a sign of poor singing.
One thing to watch for
Using '가이드 멜로디 켜줘' with staff in a formal setting.
Try this instead: With staff, use the polite form '가이드 멜로디 켜 주세요' (ga-i-deu mel-lo-di kyeo ju-se-yo). The casual '켜줘' is for friends or people you know well.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a friend to turn on the guide melody?
Show a sample answer
가이드 멜로디 켜줘.
This is the casual, direct way. You could also say '가이드 켜줘' or '멜로디 좀 켜줘' for variation.
2What phrase means 'Add the chorus, please' in casual Korean?
Show a sample answer
코러스 넣어줘.
This uses '넣어줘' (insert/add). Alternatively, '코러스 켜줘' is also acceptable if the machine has a chorus on/off function.
3How would you politely ask staff to turn on the guide melody?
Show a sample answer
가이드 멜로디 켜 주세요.
This uses the polite request form '켜 주세요'. It's appropriate for staff or strangers.
In Korean karaoke, use '가이드 멜로디 켜줘' with friends to turn on the guide melody, and '코러스 넣어줘' for backing vocals. With staff, switch to '켜 주세요' for politeness.
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