였는데

was, but...

→ 이다
였 Past tense + 는데 Background/contrast connective
auxiliary · past tense Common #4,783
was, but... Often introduces background or contrast; it can also connect ideas without a strong contrast.
KO: 그는 내 친구였는데 지금은 연락이 안 돼요.
EN: He was my friend, but now I can’t get in touch with him.
Conjugation of 이다

사고 였는데 뭐 젠장!

It was an accident, what the hell!

— 좋은 친구들 (1990)

리플리컨트 였는데 임신 이라니

She was a replicant, and yet she’s pregnant?

— 블레이드 러너 2049 (2017)

기사 였는데?

Was it a knight?

— 아메리칸 갱스터 (2007)

제 이모가 배우 였는데

My aunt was an actress, but...

— 라라랜드 (2016)

처남 차 였는데

My brother-in-law got dumped, though.

— 인디아나 존스: 최후의 성전 (1989)

젠장 제일 좋은 보트 였는데

Damn, it was the best boat.

— 이반의 어린 시절 (1962)

나 랑은 형제나 마찬가지 였는데!

He was like a brother to me!

— 데드풀과 울버린 (2024)

얼마나 난리 였는데 요점만 말하라고

It was such a huge ordeal—I told you to just give me the gist.

— 학이 난다 (1957)

당시 나이가 스무 살 정도 였는데

I was around twenty years old at the time, but...

— 미스틱 리버 (2003)

난 간다에 한 표 였는데

I was on the “I’m going” side, though.

— The Great Flood (2025)

내 동생이 수녀 였는데 젊었을 때 죽었어

My younger sibling was a nun, but she died young.

— 8과 1/2 (1963)

이건 드레이코 말포이의 지팡이 였는데.

This was Draco Malfoy's wand.

— 해리 포터와 죽음의 성물 2 (2011)