-고 해서

One of the reasons, And so...

Explanation

This expression means that the reason given in the preceding clause is just one of a number of reasons for the behavior described in the following clause. The speaker uses this phrase to state the primary reason for doing the action in the following clause while also indicating that there are other reasons. In this way, the speaker only hints at the other reasons and does not explicitly state them.

Details

1. This expression can also be used in the forms N도 V-고 해서 and A/V-기도 하고 해서.

밥을 먹고 해서 산책을 했어요.
=밥도 먹고 해서 산책을 했어요.
=밥을 먹기도 하고 해서 산책을 했어요.
날씨가 춥고 해서 집에 일찍 돌아갔어요.
=날씨도 춥고 해서 집에 일찍 돌아갔어요.
=날씨가 춥기도 하고 해서 집에 일찍 돌아갔어요.

2. When used in the form N도 A/V -고 N도 A/V-고 해서 or A/V -기도 하고 A/V~기도 해서, this expression indicates two representative reasons among many for the action in the following clause.

머리도 아프고 잠깐 쉬고 싶기도 해서 공부하다가 텔레비전을 봤어요.
머리가 아프기도 하고 잠깐 쉬고 싶기도 해서 공부하다가 텔레비전을 봤어요.

There were various reasons why the speaker watched TV, but the speaker is only stating two representative ones.

Examples
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 피곤한데 택시 안 타요?<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 네, 길도 복잡하<span class='focus'>고 해서</span> 지하철을 타는 게 좋겠어요.
A: You're tired, so why don't you take a taxi? B: Well, there's a lot of traffic and all, so I think taking the subway will be better.
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 저녁 같이 드실래요?<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 점심도 늦게 먹<span class='focus'>고 해서</span> 저녁은 안 먹으려고요.
A: Would you like to have dinner together? B: I had a late lunch, and that's (one of the reasons) why I'm planning to skip dinner.
피곤하<span class='focus'>고 해서</span> 약속을 취소했습니다.
I was tired (among other things), so I cancelled the appointment

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