Korean language uses Korean writing hangeul, which is writing system mainly developed for denoting sound of pronunciation. It could be romanized into Western alphabet as it sound like. 너구리 for example, is nuhgooree as exact matching with English way of spelling to Korean pronunciation which is natural and easier when we see it at first sight.
However, there are romanization conventions differred from this. For example, the city of 부산 is Pusan, in some conventional system influenced by Yale romanization of Korean language. The real sound is more closer to Busan. So, it is cause of beginner’s difficulty to pronounce knowing for natural ones, many people intuitively have curiosity why romanization is so.
The answer is that romanization system is not the English alphabet system, just independent symbolic system that denotes convenient and allusive to the sound. In this condition we need to do more effort when we encounter with the romanization. 너구리 is nuhgooree, but conventional romanization is neoguri, which is also found in famous instant noodle. “neo” is conventional symbol denoting “nuh”. In beginning time, it is hardly known if we do not have experiences at hearing it in action. So, it is recommended to find out Youtube video containing the words or expressions, and matching with real pronunciation to romanization’s spelling with the initial reception that it is independent symbolic system.
The pronunciation example of Yale romanization, Yale romanization of Korean – Wikipedia this link would summarize at the table, so is also with the extent to many other romanization systems of their own rules to denote the sound.
In my writings, I would like to integrate denotation that best possible to applicable English spelling, I use the denotation of my own “ddukboggee” not “Tteokbokgi”. However, ease of transition of wording sometimes I follow conventional form.
Please note that 구 is gu, but some Korean people use it to denote 거, so we need to settle up different rules people arbitrarily follow without certain rigidity, the most convenient making sure is to find from Youtube video.
Many students have curiosity to this, but when really not matching with real sound is to challenge the inventor, so is hardly having chance to ask, this writing is written for dessolving the needs.