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있었는데

was there, existed, was, were

→ 있다
verb · informal, past tense Common #2,698
was there, existed, was The ending -는데 links this to what follows, often by giving background or suggesting contrast.
KO: 어제 집에 있었는데 아무도 안 왔어요.
EN: I was at home yesterday, but no one came.
Conjugation of 있다

핸드폰이 있었는데 없애 버렸어요, 미안해요

I had a phone, but I got rid of it. I’m sorry.

— Pavane (2026)

내가 막을 수 있었는데.

I could have stopped it.

— 씨너스: 죄인들 (2025)

사무실에 있었는데 어떻게 같이 있어?

I was at the office, so how could we be together?

— 히든 (2005)

스펜서포트에는 정말로 조직원이 한 명 있었는데, 브루넬 매컬레이슨 이었다.

Spencerport really did have one member: Brunel McCulloch.

총이 누구 손에 있었는데?

Whose hands was the gun in?

— 존 윅 4 (2023)

너 같은 아이가 있었는데 우물에 빠져 죽었어

There was a child like you who fell into a well and died.

— 컴 앤 씨 (1985)

거실에 있었는데 얼마 요?

It was in the living room. How much is it?

— 하얀 리본 (2009)

찰리 파커가 별명이 있었는데 알아요

Did you know Charlie Parker had a nickname?

— 라라랜드 (2016)

그는 여기에 있었는데?

Was he here?

— 주토피아 (2016)

차가 문 앞에 있었는데

The car was in front of the door, but...

— 세 얼간이 (2009)

몰라, 아까 있었는데

I don't know. It was here earlier.

— 8과 1/2 (1963)

방금 부엌에 있었는데 돼지 같은 건 없었어요

I was just in the kitchen, but there wasn’t anything pig-like in there.

— 레옹 (1994)

저도 가능한 한 오래 있었는데 그만 와야 했어요

I stayed as long as I could too, but I had to leave.

— 빅 식 (2017)

한동안 있었는데 그는 돌아오지 않았습니다

I waited for a while, but he never came back.

— 블라인드 멜로디 (2018)

느낌이 있었는데

I did have a feeling, though...

— 어 퓨 굿 맨 (1992)

무슨 일이 있었는데?

What happened?

— "폭풍의 언덕" (2026)

난 가족과 있었는데 갑자기…

I was with my family when suddenly…

— 영원 (2025)

여기 얼마나 오래 있었는데

How long have you been here?

— 저수지의 개들 (1992)

네 방에 누군가가 있었는데 도망친 거 라면, 다시 돌아올 거 야.

If someone was in your room and ran away, they’ll come back.

— 더스트 버니 (2025)

auxiliary · past tense Uncommon #7,835
was, were Here, 있다 is used after an -고 verb form to show that an action was in progress in the past; -는데 adds a linking or backgrounding nuance.
KO: 그때 나는 책을 읽고 있었는데 전화가 왔어요.
EN: I was reading a book when the phone rang.
Conjugation of 있다

거의 포기하고 있었는데

I was almost ready to give up.

— 산딸기 (1957)

꼭 끌어안고 자고 있었는데..

I was fast asleep, holding them tight...

— 7인의 사무라이 (1954)

나 침대에 누워 있었는데…

I was lying in bed...

— 영원 (2025)

도나휴 씨 전화 기다리고 있었는데!

I was waiting for Mr. Donahue's call!

— 필사의 추적 (1981)

우수아는 손에 뭔가를 단단히 쥐고 있었는데 절대 보여주지 않았습니다 서로 말도 안 하죠

Usua was clutching something tightly in her hand, but she never showed it. They don’t talk to each other either.

— 아귀레, 신의 분노 (1972)

숨 안 쉬었어 지금 계속 참고 있었는데?

I wasn’t breathing? I’ve been holding my breath this whole time!

— The Great Flood (2025)

지금까지 줄곧 모르고 있었는데

I had no idea until now.

— 인터스텔라 (2014)