mianhae

I feel uneasy or sorry toward you

Mianhae expresses personal apology in a close or informal relationship. The phrase may acknowledge hurt, inconvenience, failure, or regret, but the depth of the apology depends on what the speaker accepts responsibility for.

Characters use it after lying, leaving, breaking a promise, failing to protect someone, misunderstanding another person, or finally admitting the harm caused by a noble lie.

This is banmal. 미안해요 is polite, while 죄송합니다 is more formal and deferential. A verbal apology does not automatically provide accountability or repair.