I have been interested in Korean slangs for a long time. I've been exposed to it since I was young and would always hear it on tv shows without knowing what they mean. There are so many slangs in Korean language because they can be improvised very easily. Slangs in English are completely separate words, but in Korean, most slangs are formed by putting syllables of different words together. In a sense, if one knows more Korean vocabulary, it is easier to at least guess what the slang means just from hearing the different syllables from different words and which words it combined.
I wouldn't particularly say that one needs any special vocabulary or linguistic knowledge to learn the slangs. To learn different slangs, it is as simple as just figuring out which words are shortened to make the one particular slang. In addition, exposure is very important in learning slangs which is why watching Korean variety shows helps a lot.
This is one example of a slang formed with two words:
I have been watching some tv shows with my tutor and every time a slang word would come up, I would write it down and try to guess which words form the slang. Usually, context and just syllables are enough to give the meaning away, but sometimes, there are difficult slangs. Also, just like learning new vocabulary, making vocabulary cards for slangs is another great way to learn them. I have missing sentence exercises to practice my application of slangs as well.
Slangs are used a lot more among the younger age groups, and by being able to use those slangs, you will be able to have more native-like conversations with young Koreans.
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