-기로 하다
gi-ro ha-da
Driving a nail into one road: -기로 하다
The picture Standing before several roads, choosing one, and driving a nail into that spot. -기로 했어요 is a decision already nailed down; -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is a plan that can still move.
Where the picture shows up in -기로 하다
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a nail you drove alone
다음 주부터 운동하기로 했어요.
da-eum ju-bu-teo un-dong-ha-gi-ro hae-sseo-yo
I've decided to start exercising next week.
Circling next week's square on your own calendar and putting a nail through it
A decision made alone is still -기로 했다. It does not have to be a promise between two people.
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a nail several people drove together
회의는 세 시에 하기로 했습니다.
hoe-ui-neun se si-e ha-gi-ro haet-seum-ni-da
We've decided to hold the meeting at three.
Several heads nod, and one nail goes into the three o'clock square
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a nail driven to stop something
담배를 끊기로 했어요.
dam-bae-reul kkeun-ki-ro hae-sseo-yo
I've decided to quit smoking.
Crushing the rest of the pack, driving a nail into that spot, and walking back out
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a nail in the meeting place
우리 거기서 만나기로 했어요.
u-ri geo-gi-seo man-na-gi-ro hae-sseo-yo
We've agreed to meet there.
Two fingers landing on the same point of the map, and a nail going into that point
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a nail driven right here, right now
이번에는 제가 내기로 할게요.
i-beo-ne-neun je-ga nae-gi-ro hal-ge-yo
I'll get it this time.
Pulling the bill over to your side and driving the nail in on the spot
All of it in one picture
-기로 하다 is the act of driving a nail into one road. Drive it alone into a calendar and it is a resolution; drive it together and the meeting time is set; drive it where the cigarettes used to be and it is quitting. Drive it into one point on a map and that is where you meet; drive it into the bill and it means you are paying. What is left behind, every time, is the feeling that this no longer moves.